Nicolino Locche ~ 'Comeback 1975'

[Bill Paxtom]

April 17, 1975

~ Nicolino Locche ~ 'To Comeback, Vows To Reclaim Light-Welterweight Title' ~

Argentinian - Nicolino Locche, the former WBA Light-Welterweight Champion is planning
to return to the Ring.

'El Intocable' last fought on March 17, 1973, when he was stopped on a cut {L TKO 10} to
Antonio Cervantes in his attempt to reclaim his WBA Championship.

Locche {Age; 35 years, 7 months} will begin training in his hometown of Mendoza, Argentina
and plans to make his 'comeback bout' within 3-Months.

A late-July or early-August date is planned.

Nicolino who left the Ring with a record of 110-4-14 with {14 KO's} as a 140 lb. Light-Welterweight
stated that he was now 170 lbs., and would get back down to 140 lbs. and compete in his
previous Division.
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Nicolino Locche >

"When I left the Ring in March 1973, it was the correct time for me to rest. Now it's been 2-Years,
and I'm ready to dedicate myself, and get back into the Ring."

"I will have a 90-Day Training Camp, and then plan to fight someone in the Top 25. If all goes well,
I will then have {3} more tune-up bouts against better competition, and then take on somebody
in the Top 10 by the end of the year {December 1975}."

"If I win all my bouts, I will put a claim in to challenge for the WBA Light-Welterweight Championship."
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Current 'Ring Magazine' Ratings {April 1975}

*** Antonio Cervantes {WBA Champion}
#1 . Esteban Dejesus
#2 . Hector Thompson
#3 . Monroe Brooks
#4 . Tony Petronelli
#5 . Perico Fernandez {WBC Champion}
#6 . Antonio Ortiz
#7 . Emiliano Villa
#8 . Leonico Ortiz
#9 . Brooks Byrd
#10. Miguel Barreto

[Bill Paxtom]

August 9, 1975

Estadio Luna Park ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina

Attendance .... { 13,350 }

{NR} Nicolino Locche - 110-4-14 {14 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 141 lbs. ~ {Age; 35 years, 11 months}
vs.
{20} Javier Ayala - 51-14-1 {44 KO's} ~ 5' 8" ~ 150 3/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 31 years, 11 months}
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~ The Skinny ~

Nicolino Locche will be stepping into the Ring for the 1st-Time in {29-Months}, since March 10, 1973.

His opponent, will be #20 WBA-ranked - Javier Ayala, who is a strong and aggressive fighter, who
throws bombs with wide-hooks.

Javier was ranked in the Top 10 in 1973, and is both a 'Knockout' and 'Upset Artist'.

Javier is a 12-year Pro, who has been competing since 1963.

Javier went 10-Rounds with both > Roberto Duran on {March 17, 1973} and Esteban Dejesus on
{September 12, 1974}.

Javier did score a 'Major Upset' {TKO 3} over #1 WBA-ranked Light-Welterweight - Hector Thompson on
December 6, 1974, when the Australian injured his knee during an exchange.

in his last bout, Javier was 'upset' on June 9, 1975 > when he lost {L Dec 10} to Frankie Benitez in Puerto Rico.

Currently, Javier Ayala is ranked as the #20 WBA Light-Welterweight.

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~ Locche Wins, But Victory Is Objectionable ~

~ Locche Scores Win In Comeback, But Performance Left Much To Be Desired ~

Over 13,000 fans flooded the Esatadio Luna park arena to the see the comeback of the Argentinian Hero - Nicolino Locche.

Though the 35+ year-old former Light-Welterweight World Champion won, his victory was objectionable, and there was
no excessive margin in points.

Over the early going, Javier Ayala was aggressive and took the action to Locche who was forced to back away and stay
on the defensive.

Using his size {150 3/4 lbs.} and punching-power, the Los-Angeles-based Mexican came out bombing. Ayala had Locche
backing up to the Ropes, where he slugged away with hard-hooks. The former Champion was forced to bend-and-block
the incoming punches while staying on the defensive.

But Locche {141 lbs.} giving up nearly {10 lbs.} in weight, started to put his punches together in Round 6, and took
control of the box-and-punch bout by landing fast left-jabs and left-hooks into the ever-pressing visitor.

Though the visiting Ayala stayed aggressive, he was no match for the 'tricky' Locche, as over the second-half of the
bout, Nicolino used quick moves and accurate counter punching to thwart off the rushes and wild-swings of the hard
punching Mexican.

Locche had a solid Round 8, as he tagged Ayala coming in with left-hooks that hurt the Mexican, and had him bending
over and in some pain.

Scorecards
* 197-196 - {4-3-3 in Rounds}
* 197-196 - {4-3-3 in Rounds}
* 198-196 - {4-2-4 in Rounds}

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ September 13, 1975

Estadia Olympia ~ Venado Tuerto, Santa Fe, Argentina

Attendance ..... { 4000 }

{20} Nicolino Locche - 111-4-14 {14 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 141 lbs. ~ {Age; 36 years, 0 months}
vs.
{NR} Omar Zarza - 21-9-7 {5 KO's} ~ 5' 9" ~ 147 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 11 months}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Nicolino Locche will be having his 2nd-Bout during his comeback, just 5-Weeks after his
1st win.

Omar Hermelindo Zarza is called 'The Bulldog', as he is a tough-and-durable fighter who
mauls his opponents.

Zarza, a Welterweight, has never been stopped or dropped in '37-Bouts' over his 3 1/2 year
career.
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~ Nicolino Locche Wins Decision Over Tough 'Bulldog' Zarza ~

Nicolino Locche was forced to work hard against the tough-brawler Omar Zarza. The
36 year-old Locche, used his defensive-skills early, to avoid the hard-charges of the strong
Zarxza, who 'bull-dogged' his way inside and mauled the little former-Champion,
especially in Rounds 2 and 3.

Locche did get tagged a few times by looping right-hands which swelled his left-cheek,
but the former-Champion was never hurt by his opponents punches.

Locche put together a solid effort in Rounds 4 and 6, as he rocked Zarza back with
solid left-hooks to the chin.

Both fighters brought the crowd of { 4000 } to their feet in Round 7, as both slugged
it out at Center-Ring.

Locche exhibited his masterful defensive-wizardry in Rounds 8 and 9, as Zarza swung
but missed with nearly every punch he threw, while Locche countered with quick
left-hands.

The former Champion was very effective in the Final Round, as he peppered the tiring
Zarza with light left-jabs and right-hands to the face.

Scorecards
* 198-196 - {4-2-4 in Rounds}
* 198-195 - {5-2-3 in Rounds}
* 198-195 - {5-2-3 in Rounds}

[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}

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~ 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.

Below, Nicolino exhibiting his famous 'pose-and-tease' defensive-wizardry in front of
Jimmy Heair in Round 5.



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}

[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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ 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.

[Ron Swanson]

Summation

Great defensive talent but mediocre opposition.

Guys with 70, 80, 90 fights shouldn't regularly be fighting guys with less than 10 wins or losing records. His career is what many perceive JCCs career to be.