Vicente Mijares ~ 'Talented Mexican Lightweight'

[Bill Paxtom]

November 29, 1975

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

~ Lightweight Showdown at the Olympic Auditorium ~

#4 WBC / #5 WBA - Randy Shields - 26-0-0 {14 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ Reach; 73" ~ 136 lbs. ~ {Age; 20 years, 0 months}
vs.
#10 WBC / #14 WBA - Vicente Mijares - 17-0-0 {10 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ Reach; 68" ~ 135 lbs. ~ {Age; 21 years, 10 months}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Randy Shields, the tall-and-lanky boxer with the spearing left-jab. Shields is now ranked as the
#6 World-Ranked Lightweight by Ring Magazine

Randy, who has only been a Professional since January 1974 {22-Months} is coming off an
'upset-win' {W Dec 10} over #2 World-Ranked - Arturo 'Tury' Pineda on August 23rd.

The North Hollywood Lightweight also has quality wins over >
* Centavito Hernandez
* Miguel Mayan - {twice}
* Arturo Leon
* Raul 'Rocky' Montoya

The Fight Poster bill lists Randy Shields with a record of 28-0-0 {19 KO's}.

The Mexican - Vicente Mijares will be facing his toughest opponent yet, and is listed as a {3-1} Betting-Underdog.

Just before this bout >

Los Angeles Times - Sportswriter Jim Murray wrote a great article about Randy Shields. Sonny Shields stated that
his son had a Professional Record of 27-0-0 with 15 KO's, and had posted an Amateur Record of 88-4.

The winner of this bout was to get a World Lightweight Championship Bout in early-1976
against either >
* WBA Champion - Roberto Duran
* WBC Champion - Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ November 29, 1975

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

~ Vicente Mijares In Shocker, TKO's Randy Shields ~

Mexican - Vicente Mijares ended the 'unbeaten string' of Randy Shields at '28', by scoring
a TKO at the end of the 8th Round.

Mijares who is 'unbeaten' himself now, with a record of 18-0-0 scored his '11th' Knockout win.

The 5' 11" Shields was the 'heavy-favorite at {3-1}, and got off to a good start over the first
4-Rounds, as he took advantage of his 5' Height, and 5" Reach advantage.

Shields {136 lbs.} used spearing left-jabs, and long right-hand leads to take 3 of the first 4
Rounds from the smart-boxing Mexican.

But the quick-hitting Mijares {135 lbs.} started to find the range in Round 5, and caught the
tall-and-lanky Californian with 'jarring' left-hooks to the jaw.

Mijares 'staggered' Shields near the end of Round 5 with a powerful right-hand to the chin,
and '2' left-hooks to the temple area.

In Round 6, Shields attempted to 'slug' with the stronger Mexican, and paid the price as he
was 'rocked' by left-hooks to the head, and again was 'staggered' by a right-hand to the chin.

In Round 7, Mijares continued to wear down the lanky-Shields, and at the {1:00 Mark} he caught
Shields with a slicing left-hook to the right-eye, which opened up a small-cut.

And mid-way thru the Round he caught Shields on his right-eye with another left-hook, and opened
up the small-cut, causing it to drip blood. Late in the session, the Mexican also staggered Shields again
with a solid 'left-right' combination to the jaw.

In Round 8, Mijares was relentless in his attack, and slammed in numerous left-hooks to the head,
opening up the cut on Shields right-eye worse, as blood started streaming down his face.

Referee - George Latka called a 'temporary-halt' at the 2:42 Mark, to have the Ringside Physician
check out the cut right-eye. Shields was allowed to continue, but he took another barrage to the area,
and bleeding badly at the end of the Round.

Before the start of Round 9, Randy Shields' corner stopped the bout, as they were unable to stem
the flow of blood.

The win goes down as a TKO 8 for the 'unbeaten' Vicente Mijares.

~ Mijares {Saldivar} TKO's Shields ~

[Bill Paxtom]

Ring Magazine {January 1976}

*** Roberto Duran {WBA Champion}
#1 . Ray Lampkin
#2 . Angel Mayoral
#3 . Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki {WBC Champion}
#4 . Hector Julio Medina
#5 . Buzzsaw Yamabe
#6 . Rudy Hernandez
#7 . Vicente Mijares Saldivar
#8 . Randy Shields
#9 . Arturo 'Tury' Pineda
#10. Bobby Chacon

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ February 26, 1976

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

~ NABF Lightweight Championship ~
~ WBC Elimination Bout ~

#4 WBC - Vicente Mijares - 18-0-0 {11 KO's} ~ 135 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 1 month}
vs.
#7 WBC - Randy Shields - 27-1-0 {15 KO's} ~ 134 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 20 years, 3 months}
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

This bout is both for the NABF Lightweight Championship, as well as a WBC Lightwieght Eliminator,
with the winner 'guaranteed' a bout with WBC Lightweight Champion - Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki next.

Randy Shields is out to 'reverse' his loss by {TKO 8} to the smart-boxing Mexican 3-Months earlier,
back on November 29, 1975.

Manager - Harry Kabakoff {for Vicente Mijares} stated that his fighter will have no problem getting
by Randy Shields again.

The WBC Lightweight Champion - Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki of Japan last defended his Title on
December 4, 1975 > when he stopped {TKO 14} Alvaro Rojas.

The WBC has stated that the winner here, will get to challenge for the WBC Championship in
early-May 1976 > providing the fight purse bid offer is accepted.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ Vicente Mijares Repeats Win Over Randy Shields ~

Mexican boxing-master - Vicente Mijares repeated his earlier success, with anther win over 'highly-touted'
Californian - Randy Shields.

This time is was by a 12-Round Unanimous Decision, to capture the NABF Lightweight Championship.

Just as in their 1st-Bout, the tall-and-lanky Shields got off to a fast start, as he landed with his long
left-jab, and right-hand leads to the head over the first 4-Rounds.

But, Mijares used a steady body-attack throughout the middle-Rounds to erase the taller Shields' early
Rounds lead, as the Californian had taken advantage of his 5" Reach advantage to win the early sessions.

The Mexican started to move inside in Round 5, and slammed the 'thin-body' of Shields with solid
right-uppercuts to the mid-section and left-hook to the ribs.

The fast-handed Mexican hurt Shields with body-punches in Rounds 6 and 7, and had his opponent
backing away and 'scampering' in Rounds 8 and 9.

In Round 10, a now-desperate Shields attempted to 'swing-the-tide', and went toe-to-toe with Mijares,
and held his own for the first 2-Minutes of the session.

But by the end of the Round, Mijares had Shields backing away and to the Ropes. Mijares raked the
body of Shields, and had the 20 year-old bending in pain at the Bell.

Over the last 2-Rounds, Mijares used a 'stiff' left-jab to keep Shields on the outside and on the defensive,
as he went on to score a solid 12-Round Decision win.

Scorecards
* Referee - Dick Young ..... 6-4
* Judge - Larry Rozadilla ... 7-4
* Judge - Rudy Jordan ...... 7-5

[Bill Paxtom]

March 1, 1976

~ Harry Kabakoff Seeks Lightweight Championship For His Fighter ~

Fight Manager - Harry Kabakoff is hoping to get WBC Lightweight Champion
Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki to sign a deal to defend his Title against Vicente Mijares
for sometime in late-April of early-May, and at the 'Olympic Auditorium'.

Harry Kabakoff >
"We beat Randy Shields last week for the NABF Title, and it was a WBC Eliminator. Now
we are supposed to be the next one in line."

"We have $95,000 on the table for the Japanese fighter, and all we have to do is get
him to sign the contract."

"We wanted to Challenge WBA Champion - Roberto Duran as well, but he was supposed
to defend against San Diego's - Angel Mayoral in Las Vegas. But nobody has seen Duran
since December 1975, when he defeated {KO 15} Leonico Ortiz."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WBC Ratings .......................... WBA Ratings

*** ................................................. Roberto Duran
#1 .................................................. Ray Lampkin
#2 .................................................. Angel Mayoral
#3 .................................................. Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki {WBC Champion}
#4 .................................................. Buzzsaw Yamabe
#5 .................................................. Vicente Mijares
#6 .................................................. Hector Julio Medina
#7 .................................................. Randy Shields
#8 .................................................. Arturo 'Tury' Pineda
#9 .................................................. Rudy Hernandez
#10 ................................................ Bobby Chacon

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ April 22, 1976

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Attendance .......... 5131
Gate Receipts ..... $41,600

~ NABF Lightweight Championship ~
~ WBC Lightweight Eliminator ~

#4 WBC - Arturo 'Tury' Pineda - 26-6-1 {22 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 134 1/2 lbs. {Age; 23 years, 10 months}
vs.
#5 WBC - Vicente Mijares - 19-0-0 {11 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 135 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 3 months}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

Arturo 'Tury the Fury' Pineda is regarded as the one of the hardest-hitters in the Lightweight Division.

'Tury' is most dangerous when he's hurt, as he can 'bomb' with either hand. Pineda is no stranger to
the Lightweight Championship , as he has fought WBC Champion - Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki {twice} and
both times nearly came out a Champion.
* September 12, 1974 ..... Draw 15
* June 5, 1975 ................ L Dec 15

Harry Kabakoff {Manager for Vicente Mijares} >
"We know that Pineda is one of the hardest punchers in the Lightweight Division, but he's got to
hit Vicente on the chin and that is no easy task."

"Vicente is too skilled of a boxer, and he is going to 'stiff' Pineda. We'll stop him in the 6th Round."

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ April 22, 1976

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Attendance .......... 5131
Gate Receipts ..... $41,600

~ NABF Lightweight Championship ~
~ WBC Lightweight Eliminator ~

#4 WBC - Arturo 'Tury' Pineda - 26-6-1 {22 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 135 bs. {Age; 23 years, 10 months}
vs.
#5 WBC - Vicente Mijares - 19-0-0 {11 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 134 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 3 months}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

Arturo 'Tury the Fury' Pineda is regarded as the one of the hardest-hitters in the Lightweight Division.

'Tury' is most dangerous when he's hurt, as he can 'bomb' with either hand. Pineda is no stranger to
the Lightweight Championship , as he has fought WBC Champion - Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki {twice} and
both times nearly came out a Champion.
* September 12, 1974 ..... Draw 15
* June 5, 1975 ................ L Dec 15

Harry Kabakoff {Manager for Vicente Mijares} >
"We know that Pineda is one of the hardest punchers in the Lightweight Division, but he's got to
hit Vicente on the chin and that is no easy task."

"Vicente is too skilled of a boxer, and he is going to 'stiff' Pineda. We'll stop him in the 6th Round."

~ Vicente Mijares Takes Decision Over 'Tury' Pineda In Fight Of The Year ~

Both Mexican country-man took turns punching each other for 12-Rounds, and Vicente Mijares
came out on top, by scoring a Unanimous 12-Rond Decision over 'Tury' Pineda.

Mijares also retained his NABF Lightweight Championship.

The action got heated immediately, as both fighters exchanged hard-hooks in the Opening Round,
with each getting 'rocked'.

Mijares, the better boxer of the two, had a great Round 2, as he 'staggered' Pineda with left-hooks,
and opened up a cut over Pineda's left-eye with a 'slashing' right-hand.

Mijares continued with his smooth boxing in Round 3, and 'jarred' Pineda with several right-hooks
to the head, as well as maintaining a solid body attack.

But the tough and hard-hitting Pineda came back strong in Round 4, by winging in bombs
from the outside, forcing Mijares to cover up, and move.

Pineda kept up the fast-pace in Round 5, and slammed in several right-hands to the nose of
Mijares, causing it to flow blood.

But in Round 6, Mijares stemmed-the-tide, and 'staggered' Pineda with a left-hook to the jaw, and
battered Pineda into the Ropes. Mijares also ripped away with combinations opening a cut over
Pineda's right-eye.

Both fighters went toe-to-toe in an all-action Round 7, as each landed good punches in
non-stop trading.

In Round 8, Mijares 'raked' Pineda over with a 'two-fisted' barrage, and opened up another cut
over his countryman's right-eye, as well as 'staggering' Pineda 'twice' with sold left-hooks to
the head.

But Pineda showed heart and courage, as he came back late in Round 9 with a torrid and blistering
attack, that had Mijare's nose flowing blood badly.

But Mijares showed his marvelous boxing-skills, as he jabbed, countered and then rocked Pineda
with 'left-right' attacks during Round 10.

Both fighters were bloody, as they banged away over the last 2-Rounds, but it was Mijares
who landed the sharper punches, and had Pineda reeling over the last-half of Round 12,
and nearly 'out' at the Final Bell.

Scorecards
* Referee ......... 7-4
* Judge ............ 8-3
* Judge ............ 8-3