Nicolino Locche '1962'

[Bill Paxtom]

Nicolino Locche

At the end of 1961, Nicolino had posted a record of 22-1-6 with {5 KO's}. The 22 year-old
Lightweight from Mendoza was that Region's Lightweight Champion, and most talked
about fighter.

By the end of 1962, Nicolino {Age; 23 years, 3 months} had improved his record to
33-1-6 with {8 KO's}.

Nicolino had now established himself as Argentina's best boxing and most popular Lightweight,
as well as one of the Top 3 South American Lightweights.

Nicolino, was the Argentinian Lightweight Champion, and was the #9 World-Ranked Lightweight.

In 1962, Nicolino went 11-0-0 with {3 KO's}, and was now talked about as a World Class
Lightweight, and one of the elite 135 lb. pure-boxers and defensive specialist.
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Important Wins In 1962 >

* June 5, 1962 ...........{W Dec 10} vs. Eulugio 'El Ciclon' Caballero - 34-8-11 {21 KO's}

Location > Mendoza ~ Mendoza, Argentina

Eulugio Caballero was a sharp-shooter from Uruguay. Eulugio {Age; 27} was the Uruguayan Lightweight
Champion, and was a tough gritty fighter.

After 'losing' the first 2-Rounds, Nicolino took over and won the next 4-Rounds {3, 4, 5 and 6}.

Reports were that after losing the first 2-Rounds to the Uruguayan, Nicolino took over and won Rounds 3 thru 6,
and then fought Eulugio on 'Even Terms' in Rounds 7 and 8.

The last 2-Rounds were competitive, but Nicolino had the slightest-of-edge, as the hard-punching Uruguayan
rallied with hard-pressure, while Nicolino smartly countered and defended well.

Reports were that Nicolino won by a score of { 198-195 } or 5-2-3 in Rounds.
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* September 29, 1962 ....{W Dec 10} vs. Pedro Benelli - 49-13-5 {31 KO's}

Location > Estadio Luna Park ~ Buenos Aires

Nicolino took on former rival Pedro Benelli {Age; 29} from Buenos Aries. Pedro and Nicolino had fought
'twice' before, {July 30, 1960 and December 1, 1961} where Nicolino won both bouts by a solid
10-Round Decision.

Reports were, that Nicolino and Benelli fought on 'Even Terms' for the first 4-Rounds, before Nicolino took
over and out-boxed a frustrated Benelli over the last 6-Rounds.

Nicolino caught Benelli with repeated right-hands to the head over the second-half of the bout, jarring his
foe on several occasions.

A report stated that Nicolino won by a score of { 200-194 } or 6-0-4 in Rounds.
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* October 20, 1962 ..... {W Dec 12} vs. Manuel 'Sixto' Alvarez - 74-9-17 {15 KO's}

Location > Estadio Luna Park ~ Buenos Aires

For the Argentinian Lightweight Championship

Nicolino takes on Manuel 'Sixto' Alvarez {Age; 26}, who is the #7 World-Ranked Light-Welterweight,
and is the local hero from Temperley, Buenos Aires.

Manuel is coming off an 'upset' 10-Round Decision win over World-Rated American- Curtis Cokes
on September 8th.

Nicolino and Manuel fought to a a 10-Round Draw 2-Years earlier {September 17, 1960}, where both
claimed victory.

~ This is a 'highly-anticipated' bout. ~

It was a very competitive bout thru the first 5-Rounds, as both fighter negated each other's attack.

But Nicolino was a 'step-above' his foe during the middle-Rounds, as he scored with repeated left-hand
counters and short right-hooks to the head.

Nicolino had the 'edge' and was in command from Rounds 6 thru 9, and pulled away from Manuel, before
cruising through an 'Even' Round 10.

Manuel Alvarez did rally strongly in the last 2-Rounds, but he was too far behind in Points to overcome Nicolino's
lead.

Reports were, that Nicolino won by a { 237-235 } score, or 5-3-4 in Rounds.
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December 14, 1962 ....... {KO 6} vs. Tristan Falfan - 23-4-3 {15 KO's}

Location > Cordoba ~ Cordoba, Argentina

Nicolino travels to Cordoba to take on the brash-talking 23 year-old Cordovan Lightweight - Tristan Falfan.

Nicolino plays with the local Hero over the first 4-Rounds by 'bobbing-and-bopping'. In Round 5, Nicolino decides
to open up, and he batters the over-matched local fighter with a two-fisted barrage, and has Tristan in trouble.

In Round 6, Nicolino pours it on, and hammers the Cordoba Lightweight to the canvas '3-Times', ending the
bout by a Knockout.