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Carlos Zárate Serna

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Carlos Zárate
Born
Jesus Carlos Zárate Serna

(1951-05-23) 23 May 1951 (age 73)
Other namesCañas
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Reach67 in (170 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights70
Wins66
Wins by KO63
Losses4

Jesús Carlos Zárate Serna (born May 23, 1951) is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1970 to 1988, and held the WBC bantamweight title from 1976 to 1979.

Zárate was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine in 1977. Zárate was ranked #21 in The Ring's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.[1] and voted as the #1 bantamweight (along with Rubén Olivares) of the 20th century by the Associated Press in 1999.[2] In 1994, Zárate was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He is also the father of once-defeated Light Welterweight prospect, Carlos Zárate, Jr.[3]

Personal life

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Carlos Zárate has family members who have followed him into boxing. His son Carlos, now retired, fought in the Light Welterweight division[4] and his nephew, Joel Luna Zárate, is the former WBO Latino Super Flyweight champion.[5]

Amateur career

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Zárate, considered along with rival Wilfredo Gómez to be among the better punchers of the lighter divisions, had an amateur record of 33 wins and 3 losses, with 30 knockout wins, and he won the Mexican Golden Gloves, or Guantes de Oro, in 1969.[6]

Professional career

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In 1970, Carlos made his professional debut with a 2-round knockout win over Luis Castañeda in Cuernavaca. That marked the beginning of a 23-fight knockout winning streak. The only boxers to get past the third round during that streak were Al Torres and Antonio Castañeda, who lasted 5 and 9 rounds respectively, both at Tijuana. Víctor Ramírez became the first boxer to last the distance with Zárate when Zárate beat him on points in January 1974 in Mexico City over ten rounds. Next began his second 20 plus knockout wins in a row streak, when none of his next 28 opponents heard the final bell on their feet.

WBC Bantamweight championship

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After knocking out former world title challenger Néstor Jiménez in two rounds at Mexicali to end 1975, the WBC made Zárate their number one challenger at the Bantamweight division. So, after beating César Desiga by a knockout in four on March 29, 1976, in Monterrey, Zárate was faced on the night of May 8 of that year with defending WBC Bantamweight Champion Rodolfo Martínez in Los Angeles. Zárate became a world Bantamweight champion by knocking his countryman out in the eighth round. Zárate next won two fights by a knockout in the second and then defended it against Paul Ferreri, who lost by knockout in 12 in Los Angeles too. He finished '76 with a four-round knockout over Waruinge Nakayama in a title defense held at Culiacán.[7]

Fight against WBA Bantamweight champion

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After beginning 1977 with a third-round knockout win over Colombia's Fernando Cabanela in Mexico City, Mexican boxing fans started talking about a possible unification bout between him and fellow Mexican Alfonso Zamora, the WBA's world Bantamweight champion. Nicknamed by the American boxing press as The Z Boys, the two did square off, but not before much hassle and hurdle putting by both the WBC and WBA, who wanted both boxers to pay a large amount of money before sanctioning the bout. So, the California state boxing commission decided to sanction it as a ten-round, non-title bout instead. Fans didn't seem to care that no world title belt would be involved that afternoon, and they packed the fight venue when Zárate and Zamora met in the LA suburb of Inglewood, California, at the Forum on April 23 of '77. Zárate made the tactical mistake of going toe to toe with a shorter but harder hitting puncher. Zárate got tagged repeatedly and then a man wearing a white tank top and grey sweat pants entered the ring. The fight was momentarily stopped by referee Richard Steele and a contingent of helmeted policemen stormed the ring, forcibly removing the intruder thereafter, Zárate managed to stay away from Zamora. After a first round, Zárate the better boxer, with a reach advantage stayed away and outboxed Zamora wearing him down then knocking him out in four to gain recognition by most boxing fans as the undisputed world champion of the Bantamweights. Then, he retained the WBC title with a knockout in six over Danilo Batista, and finished 1977 with a trip to Spain, where he retained the belt against challenger Juan Francisco Rodríguez, beaten in five.[8]

In 1978, Zárate started out by meeting future world champion Alberto Dávila, whom he knocked out in eight at Los Angeles to retain his belt. Then, in April of that year, he made his first of two trips to Puerto Rico that year, to fight challenger Andres Hernandez, who lasted until the 13th. round at San Juan's Roberto Clemente coliseum.

Zárate vs. Gómez

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After retaining the title against Emilio Hernandez by a knockout in four and winning a non-title bout, Zárate announced he was moving up in weight and challenging the WBC Super Bantamweight champion, Wilfredo Gómez. According to many experts and the Ring Magazine book The Ring: Boxing In The 20th Century, Gómez and Zárate had the highest knockout win percentage of any two champions paired inside a ring in a world title fight: When Gómez and Zárate met on October 28, also at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, the challenger and still world Bantamweight champion Zárate was 52–0 with 51 knockouts, while defending world Super Bantamweight champion Gómez was 21-0-1 with 21 knockouts. Zárate went to the floor four times and tasted the sour taste of defeat for the first time in his career when he was beaten by a knockout in five rounds.

Return to Bantamweight

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In 1979, Zárate made what would turn out to be his last successful defense, with a third-round knockout win over Mensah Kpalongo in Los Angeles. After winning a non-title bout against Celso Cháirez by a knockout in five in Houston, Texas, Zárate met gym-mate Lupe Pintor in Las Vegas and lost a close and controversial 15-round decision. Enraged by losing a decision he (as well as many fans) thought undeserved, he announced his retirement from boxing and vowed never to fight as a professional again.

Five year retirement

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Zárate spent five years in retirement, but the temptation of the public adulation boxers receive when they become champions and the aroma of the boxing ring led him back into competition as a boxer. Despite still retaining an acceptable amount of his boxing ability, Zárate was nonetheless, a shadow of what he was before his 5-year retirement. In his return bout in 1986 against Adam García, he won a four-round decision. 11 more victories in a row, all by knockout, including one over then number one world Super Bantamweight challenger Richard Savage (knocked out by Zárate in five in Mexico City), made him the WBC's number one challenger at the Super Bantamweight division once again.[9]

And so, in October 1987, he traveled to Australia to meet the man boxing fans consider to be the greatest Australian world champion of all time: Jeff Fenech. In a fight contested for Fenech's world Super Bantamweight title, Zárate lost by a four-round technical decision. After Fenech vacated the title soon after to pursue the world Featherweight crown, Zárate and countryman Daniel Zaragoza met for the vacant world championship belt, but Zárate came back on the losing end once again, being knocked out in the tenth round and finally announcing his retirement for good.

During the 1990s he also became a member of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame, and in 2003, he and Wilfredo Gómez met at a boxing undercard in Puerto Rico to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their boxing bout.[10]

He had a record of 66 wins and 4 losses as a professional boxer, with 63 wins by knockout.

Carlos Zárate was voted as the Greatest Bantamweight Ever in 2014 by the Houston Boxing Hall Of Fame. The HBHOF is a voting body composed entirely of current and former fighters.

Professional boxing record

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70 fights 66 wins 4 losses
By knockout 63 2
By decision 3 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
70 Loss 66–4 Daniel Zaragoza TKO 10 (12) 1988-02-29 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. For vacant WBC super bantamweight title
69 Loss 66–3 Jeff Fenech TD 4 (12) 1987-10-16 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia For WBC super bantamweight title
68 Win 66–2 Richard Savage TKO 5 (10) 1987-08-15 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
67 Win 65–2 Tony Montoya TKO 3 (10) 1987-06-19 Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
66 Win 64–2 John Boyd TKO 5 (10) 1987-05-05 Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
65 Win 63–2 Francis Childs KO 4 (10) 1987-02-20 Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
64 Win 62–2 Alex Galván TKO 7 (10) 1986-12-13 Convention Center, Fresno, California, U.S.
63 Win 61–2 Edward Rodriquez TKO 3 (10) 1986-11-21 Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
62 Win 60–2 Gerardo Esparza KO 5 (8) 1986-09-13 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
61 Win 59–2 Alejandro García KO 2 (10) 1986-07-19 Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
60 Win 58–2 Jesus Muñiz UD 10 1986-05-23 Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
59 Win 57–2 Héctor Nápoles KO 2 (8) 1986-05-05 Auditorio Municipal, Torreon, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico
58 Win 56–2 Jose de la Dora KO 3 (6) 1986-04-12 Zacapu, Michoacán, Mexico
57 Win 55–2 Adam García MD 4 1986-02-25 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
56 Loss 54–2 Lupe Pintor SD 15 1979-06-03 Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost WBC bantamweight title
55 Win 54–1 Celso Chairez TKO 5 (10) 1979-05-01 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.
54 Win 53–1 John Kodjo Mensah KO 3 (15) 1979-03-10 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBC bantamweight title
53 Loss 52–1 Wilfredo Gómez TKO 5 (15) 1978-10-28 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico For WBC super bantamweight title
52 Win 52–0 Rudy González TKO 4 (10) 1978-09-30 Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico
51 Win 51–0 Emilio Hernández KO 4 (15) Jun 9, 1978 Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC bantamweight title
50 Win 50–0 Andres Hernández TKO 13 (15) 1978-04-22 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC bantamweight title
49 Win 49–0 Alberto Dávila TKO 8 (15) 1978-02-25 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBC bantamweight title
48 Win 48–0 Juan Francisco Rodríguez TKO 5 (15) 1977-12-02 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Spain Retained WBC bantamweight title
47 Win 47–0 Danilo Batista KO 6 (15) 1977-10-29 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBC bantamweight title
46 Win 46–0 Alfonso Zamora TKO 4 (15) 1977-04-23 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
45 Win 45–0 Fernando Cabanela TKO 3 (15) 1977-02-05 Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained WBC bantamweight title
44 Win 44–0 Waruinge Nakayama KO 4 (15) 1976-11-13 Estadio General Ángel Flores, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico Retained WBC bantamweight title
43 Win 43–0 Paul Ferreri TKO 12 (15) 1976-08-28 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBC bantamweight title
42 Win 42–0 Antonio Paredes TKO 2 (10) 1976-08-02 Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico
41 Win 41–0 Félix Llanos KO 2 (10) 1976-06-26 Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
40 Win 40–0 Rodolfo Martínez KO 9 (15) 1976-05-08 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Won WBC bantamweight title
39 Win 39–0 César Deciga TKO 4 (10) 1976-03-27 Plaza de Toros Monumental, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
38 Win 38–0 Néstor Jiménez KO 2 (10) 1975-12-07 Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
37 Win 37–0 Jorge Torres TKO 8 (10) 1975-10-11 Auditorio Benito Juarez, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
36 Win 36–0 Benicio Segundo Sosa TKO 4 (10) 1975-09-20 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
35 Win 35–0 José Sánchez TKO 3 (8) 1975-08-16 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
34 Win 34–0 Orlando Amores KO 3 (10) 1975-06-20 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
33 Win 33–0 Joe Guevara RTD 3 (12) 1975-03-14 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. California State Athletic Commission bantamweight title
32 Win 32–0 Alberto Cabanig TKO 4 (10) 1975-02-04 Arena Coliseo, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico
31 Win 31–0 James Martinez TKO 7 (10) 1974-11-23 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
30 Win 30–0 Francisco Cruz TKO 2 (10) 1974-10-27 Gimnasio de Mexicali, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
29 Win 29–0 Magallo Lozada TKO 5 (10) 1974-08-03 Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
28 Win 28–0 Juan Ordoñez KO 3 (10) 1974-05-25 Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
27 Win 27–0 Chamaco Limón KO 3 (10) 1974-05-03 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
26 Win 26–0 Alfonso Ibarra KO 2 (10) 1974-04-09 Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
25 Win 25–0 Carlos Armenta KO 1 (10) 1974-02-22 Auditorio Matamoros, Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico
24 Win 24–0 Víctor Ramírez UD 10 1974-01-30 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
23 Win 23–0 Sixto Pérez KO 2 (8) 1973-12-11 Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
22 Win 22–0 Eduardo Miranda KO 5 (10) 1973-11-01 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
21 Win 21–0 Antonio Castañeda TKO 9 (10) 1973-10-02 Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
20 Win 20–0 Alberto Torres TKO 5 (10) 1973-08-21 Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
19 Win 19–0 Francisco Pino KO 2 (10) 1973-07-12 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
18 Win 18–0 Juan Ramón Pérez KO 2 (10) 1973-06-02 La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
17 Win 17–0 Juan Ramón Pérez KO 2 (8) 1972-12-03 La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
16 Win 16–0 Armando Carrasco KO 2 (8) 1972-10-31 Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
15 Win 15–0 Angel Patiño KO 2 (8) 1972-10-08 Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, Mexico
14 Win 14–0 Jesús Escobedo KO 2 (8) 1972-08-19 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
13 Win 13–0 José Luis Morales TKO 2 (8) 1972-03-19 Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
12 Win 12–0 José González KO 2 (8) 1972-02-07 Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico
11 Win 11–0 Emiliano Mayoral TKO 3 (8) 1972-01-28 Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
10 Win 10–0 Victor Nava KO 3 (8) 1971-11-26 Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
9 Win 9–0 Julio Martínez KO 2 (8) 1971-08-07 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
8 Win 8–0 Ramón Pinedo KO 2 (6) 1971-05-05 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
7 Win 7–0 Fermín Ramos KO 2 (6) 1971-03-20 Toluca, México State, Mexico
6 Win 6–0 Antonio Lucas KO 3 (6) 1971-02-15 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
5 Win 5–0 Alfredo Pérez KO 2 (6) 1970-12-18 Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
4 Win 4–0 Nuno Temix TKO 3 (6) 1970-11-17 Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
3 Win 3–0 Costeñito Sotelo KO 2 (4) 1970-04-01 Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
2 Win 2–0 José Pavón KO 1 (4) 1970-03-02 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
1 Win 1–0 Luis Castañeda KO 3 (4) 1970-02-02 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jim Amato (2009-01-27). "THE CRUNCHING POWER OF CARLOS ZARATE - MyBoxingFans - Boxing News". MyBoxingFans. Archived from the original on 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  2. ^ "ESPN.com: BOXING - AP Fighters of the Century list". ESPN. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  3. ^ "Carlos Zarate Jr - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". boxrec.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Carlos Zárate Jr anuncia su retiro" (in Spanish). Yahoo! News. Notifight.com. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  5. ^ "BoxRec Boxing Records". Boxrec.com. 1998-04-25. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  6. ^ La Jornada. "Carlos Zárate: la caída y el resurgimiento de un campeón - La Jornada". Jornada.unam.mx. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  7. ^ "Ruben Olivares vs. Carlos Zarate: What If?". Eastsideboxing.com. 2005-10-22. Archived from the original on 2011-09-14. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  8. ^ "Carlos Zarate: The Crunching Power Of Zarate". Eastsideboxing.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  9. ^ Jaliam Break Studios (2010-03-13). "10 Best Mexican Boxers Ever | Made Manual". Mademan.com. Archived from the original on 2012-12-19. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  10. ^ "Carlos Zarate - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
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Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBC bantamweight champion
8 May 1976 – 3 June 1979
Succeeded by