Nicolino Locche ~ 'Comeback 1975'

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ October 18, 1975

Estadio Luna Park ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina

Attendance ..... { 13,800 }

{15} Nicolino Locche - 112-4-14 {14 KO"s] ~ 5' 6" ~ 141 lbs. ~ {Age; 36 years, 1 month}
vs.
{25} Jimmy Heair - 42-6-0 {23 KO's} ~ 5' 8" ~ 140 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 3 months}

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Nicolino Locche goes for win #3 in his comeback run.

'Irish' Jimmy Heair is a tough-kid, who was ranked as the #1 Lightweight in May 1974. But,
Jimmy has gone 9-6-0 in his last '15-Bouts', and has fallen down to #25 WBA in the
Light-Welterweight Division.

But, Jimmy is still a 'name opponent', and Fight Promoter - Carlos 'Tito' Lectoure had to cough
up { $10,000 } plus expenses to get the Houston-based American to come here.
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~ Locche Dominates American Over 10 Rounds ~

~ Jimmy Heair Loses Decision in Argentina

~ Nicolino Sensacional ~

Former WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Nicolino Locche dominated from the Opening Round,
and won a one-sided 10-Round Decision over American 'Irish' Jimmy Heair.

The 36 year-old Argentinian sent the 23 year-old American reeling to the Ropes several times
during the first 5-Rounds, after delivering hard left-hooks and right-crosses to Heair's face.

But the visiting American did not stop trying, and rallied by landing several good blows into Locche's
face in Rounds 6 and 7.

But just as Heair gained momentum, Locche came 'whizzing' back with fast '2-Punch' combinations to take
control in Round 8, as well as having the upper-hand during the last 2-Rounds.

Scorecards
* 198-194 - {6-2-2 in Rounds}
* 198-193 - {7-2-1 in Rounds}
* 198-194 - {6-2-2 in Rounds}

Ron Swanson

You're forgetting,

That Nicolino loved to box in the Ring, and display his defensive-wizardry.

He loved to hear the crowds cheer, when he bopped-and-weaved, as well as putting his
hands behind his back, enticing his opponent to throw a punch.

Nicolino Loved The Sport of Boxing...........

[Bill Paxtom]

November 24, 1975

~ Nicolino Locche Returns To 'Ring Magazine' Top 10 ~

*** Antonio Cervantes {WBA Champion}
#1 . Adolfo Viruet
#2 . Hector Thompson
#3 . Monroe Brooks
#4 . Saensak Muangsurin {WBC Champion}
#5 . Lou Bizzarro
#6 . Esteban Dejesus
#7 . Leonico Ortiz
#8 . Cemal Kamaci
#9 . Nicolino Locche
#10. Carlos Maria Giminez

Nicolino Locche, who has won '3' straight in his comeback run since August 9th, has
also been slotted at #9 WBA in the Light-Welterweight Division.

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ December 19, 1975

Polideportivo Municipal ~ Rio Cuarto, Cordoba, Argentina

Attendance ... { 4100 }

{9} Nicolino Locche - 113-3-14 {14 KO's} ~ 141 lbs. ~ {Age; 36 years, 3 months}
vs.
{NR} Obdulio Rogelio Zarza - 19-10-4 {11 KO's} ~ 146 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 3 months}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Nicolino, who is now ranked as the #9 WBA and 'Ring Magazine' Light-Welterweight goes
for his 4th-straight win.

Nicilono is taking on a very tough Welterweight in Obdulio Rggelio Zarza.

Zarza has scored '2' upsets over highly-touted Cordoba Welterweight Champion
Mario E. Miranda, by scoring a {KO 10} on November 7, 1975 and another {KO 10}
previously, back on August 8, 1975.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Nicolino 'El Intocable', Scores Another Win ~

Former WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Nicolino Locche scored a convincing 10-Round
Decision win over rugger Welterweight - Obdulio Zarza.

After Zarza had a good 1st-Round where he out-hit the 36 year-old Locche with lefts-and-rights,
Locche picked up the action during Round 2, and peppered the rough-acting Zarza with left-jabs
and counter-right-hand leads.

Locche dominated the next 3-Rounds, as he had Zarza completely be-fuddled and backing
away.

Then, Locche put on a 'defensive-show' during the middle-Rounds {5, 6 and 7} as he dropped his
hands and let Zarza swing at him. Locche did his 'bend-and-bob', and was not hit by a single-punch.

After the little Champion was done 'playing', he went back to out-boxing his opponent with an
assortment of left-hands over the last 3-Rounds to win the 10-Round bout going away.

Scorecards
* 199-191 - {9-1-0 in Rounds}
* 199-192 - {8-1-1 in Rounds}
* 199-192 - {8-1-1 in Rounds}

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ January 4, 1976

Nicolino Locche was supposed to face his former conqueror - Alfonso 'Peppermint' Frazer
in 6-Days on Saturday - January 10th at Esatdio Luna Park.

Alfonso Frazer had defeated Nicolino 4-Years earlier {March 10, 1972} in an 'upset' to
capture the WBA Light-Welterweight Championship.

The Panamanian, though still a good boxer, had lost his WBA Title in December 1972,
and had gone 7-7-0 in his last '14-Bouts' over the past 3 years while being stopped
'4-Times'.

The 28 year-old Panamanian was riding a record of 37-11-1 {27 KO's}, and was coming
off a {L Dec 10} to 'talented' Colombian - Emelinao Villa on October 28, 1972.

Alfonso was brought in to Buenos Aires, with a promise of $7500 for his fight purse.

But, when Alfonso and his Handler got to Buenos Aires, the fight promoters told the
Panamanian that he would have to take a {-$2000 cut} in his fight purse, from $7500
to $5500.

Alfonso refused the lower offer, and returned home to Panama.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ January 17, 1976

Estadio Luna Park ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina

Attendance ....... { 14,100 }
Gate Receipts ... { $66,000 }

{9} Nicolino Locche - 114-4-14 {14 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 140 lbs. ~ {Age; 36 years, 3 months}
vs.
{4} Emiliano Villa - 23-1-1 {11 KO's} ~ 5' 9 1/2" ~ 140 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 0 months}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Nicolino Locche is going for his 5th-Straight' win. The winner here, has been promised a Title Bout
with WBA Champion - Antonio Cervantes.

Emiliano Villa is a 12-Day replacement fighter, filling in for former WBA Champion - Alfonso Frazer
who walked out back on January 4th.

Emiliano who is ranked at #4 WBA, is a talented tall-and-lanky southpaw boxer, and is highly-regarded
back in Colombia, where he has been the Colombian Light-Welterweight Champion since October 1974.

Emiliano also has a recent victory {October 28, 1975} over Alfonso Frazer.

Emiliano is Managed by Ramiro Machado and Trained by Tabanito Sanz.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Nicolino, Hasta En El Infierno ~

A very close and 'Heated Contest in in Hell' as the 36 year-old veteran 'Magician' had to pull
every trick out of his 'Hat' to stall off the fast-charging 23 year-old Colombian southpaw.

Locche, fighting with a {3 1/2" Height} and {4" Reach} disadvantage was forced to fight
off the Ropes during the early Rounds, where he counter-punched Emiliano as he got in close
during Rounds 1, 2 and 3.

During the middle-Rounds, the bout moved to Center-Ring, where the young Colombian
used his fast hands and quick 'right-left' punches to out-speed the older Argentinian.

In Round 7, Locche rallied and put together a 'solid-effort', as he raked the youngster over
with a series of left-hooks and '2-Punch' flurries to the head.

The last 3-Rounds were 'Fought-in-Hell', as both fighters slugged it out as a sell-out crowd
of 14,000+ cheered with roars.

The Colombian stayed busy with his fast-hand '2-Punch' flurries, while Locche was winging
in wide-hooks to the head of his young opponent.

Scorecards
* 196-195 > {5-4-1 in Rounds}
* 197-196 > {4-3-3 in Rounds}
* 197-196 > {4-3-3 in Rounds}

Fight Purses
* Nicolino Lcche ..... { $22,000 } = 33.33% of the Gate
* Emiliano Villa ........ { $8000 }

[Bill Paxtom]

March 6, 1976

~ WBA Light-Welterweight Division Set On It's Ear ~

Teenage 'Wunderkind' Wilfred Benitez 'upsets' Antonio Cervantes.

17 1/2 year-old Wilfred Benitez upset the great Antonio Cervantes by a 15-Round
Split-Decision in Puerto Rico.

The 'undefeated' teenager fought with radar-like defense and with quick attacks to
fluster the Colombian - Cervantes over 15-Rounds.

The bout was close, and some say that it could have gone either way, and quite possibly
ruled a Draw. But no matter, we now have a new WBA Light-Welterweight Champion,
and his name is Wilfred Benitez.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 7, 1976

Immediately, Argentinian fight promoter - Carlos 'Tito' Lectoure contacted Father/Manager -
Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez, offering a fight purse of { $75,000 plus ancillary fee's} to have
his son Wilfred come to Buenos Aires to defend his 'newly' won WBA Championship
against Nicolino Locche on June 6, 1976.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 17, 1976

Carlos 'Tito' Lectoure upped his offer to { $100,000 }.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ May 8, 1976

Estadio Luna Park ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina

{4} Nicolino Locche - 115-4-14 {14 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 140 lbs. ~ {Age; 36 years, 8 months}
vs.
{NR} Lorenzo Trujillo - 34-13-4 {11 KO's} ~ 5' 5" ~ 139 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 9 months}

Attendance ...... { 15,700 } 'Sell-Out' with Standing Room
Gate Receipts .. { $96,000 }
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ 'The Skinny' ~

Nicolino, who had now moved up to the #4 WBA Light-Welterweight, was fighting for the
1st-time in 3+ Months {since defeating Emiliano Villa on January 17th}.

Nicolino and his Manager - Carlos 'Tito' Lectoure were still hoping for a Title Bout with
young Wilfred Benitez, but that it would probably have to be in Puerto Rico, as Gregorio
'Papa' Benitez said that he did not want to take his teenage son out of Puerto Rico
for a World Title defense on foreign soil.

They soon found out that Wilfred Benitez was defending his WBA Title on May 31, 1976
and in Puerto Rico.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny II' ~

Manager - Carlos 'Tito' Lectoure was told to have Nicolino Locche ready, just in case
Challenger - Emiliano Villa was to pull out of his bout with Wilfred Benitez set for
May 31st.

A back-up date for Saturday ~ June 6th was penciled.

Manager - Carlos 'Tito' Lectoure wanted Nicolino to have at least one more 'tune-up' bout,
just in case they got a call to step in to challenge Wilfred Benitez.

An overflow 'sell-out' crowd of { 15,000 } attended for this bout.

Lorenzo 'Boom Boom' Trujillo was a Houston-based fighter. Lorenzo was a good little
compact fighter, who was ranked in the Top 10 of the Lightweights back in 1973 and 1974.

But Lorenzo, a 7-Year Pro was now just a 'trial-horse', as he had not a single win in
his last '9-Bouts', going 0-8-1 since January 1975.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Nicolino Win Again, Defeats American 'Boom Boom' Trujillo ~

1-week before this bout, Nicolino Locche announced that this would be his 'final bout' at
Estadio Luna Park, and that he would retire, unless he got an offer to challenge for the
WBA Light-Welterweight Championship against Puerto Rican - Wilfred Benitez.

Nicolino Locche, who is still seeking another chance at the WBA Light-Welterweight Crown
easily defeated American - Lorenzo Trujillo over 10-Rounds.

Nicolino took control from the out-set, and easily counter-punched the ever-pressing American,
who just did not have the fire-power to break through the 36 1/2 year-old Argentinian's defense.

Locche would simply back to the Ropes, and either let the American hit him, or bend at the waist
and avoid the incoming punches.

Then, when Trujillo stopped punching, Locche would explode off the Ropes by firing hard 'left-right'
punches on his smaller opponent.

Lorenzo Trujillo was 'penalized' {1-Point} in Round 7, for use of his head.



Scorecards
* 200-193 > {6-0-4 in Rounds}
* 200-193 > {6-0-4 in Rounds}
* 199-194 > {5-1-4 in Rounds}

Fight Purses
* Nicolino Locche ..... { $35,000 }
* Lorenzo Trujillo ...... { $5000 }

After the Decision was announced, the Estadio Lna Park erupted, and all { 15,000 } fans cheered
"Nico, Nico", and sang loudly for their Hero.