Miguel Cotto
NO FLACK ON MY TOP FIVE, WHAT ABOUT SIX TO TEN?
6] Miguel Cotto, (36-2, 29 KOs) Born 10-29-1980 from Caguas held belts at 140, 147l, and currently is the WBA 154 lb. champion. My opinion is that noth of those two losses are questionable. But, like what I said about Tito Trinidad, he got back on the horse after losing was never the same. Biggest moment KO Kelson Pinto (24-2, 22 KOs) in a six round TKO to win 140lb title. Worst defeat was to Antonio “Margacheato” Margarito (38-7, 27 KOs). The loss to Manny Pacquiao, even Cotto was blown away by the strength he possessed late in the fight, he has never accused Pac of using Steroids or Blood Doping. That being said, Cotto can still move up the list.
7] Hector Camacho, (79-6-3, 38KOs) born in Bayamon P.R in May 1962, “Macho” held titles at 130, 135, & 140. At the beginning Puerto Rican’s had disdain for him. I remember when Wilfredo Gomez was facing the ever-so capable fellow Rican Juan La Porte (40-17, 22 KOs) for the 126 title in 1984. Seeing this was the second time two fellow islanders fought for a belt, thus it was considered taboo, Camacho was in the La Porte corner and Gomez was calling him out. Now he’s loved. Biggest moment was a shutout over 15 rounds of Jose Luis Ramirez (102-9, 82KOs), this in 1985 when Camacho was probably the best ‘pound for pound’ in boxing. Worst moment was being drubbed by Julio Cesar Chavez (107-6-2, 86KOs) in 1992.
8] Alfredo ”Salsero” Escalera
was born in Carolina P.R (53-14-3, 31 KOS) Held the 130 lb. title from 1975 to 1978 and defended it tee times before losing it to Alexis Arguello in what Ring Magazine called it 31 of 100 best fights of all time. It was labeled “The bloody battle in Bayamon.” Biggest moment was a KO 2 over Kuniaki Shibata (47-6-3, 25KOs) The two fights with Alexis Arguello (77-8, 62 KOs) were his two biggest nightmares.
9] Samuel Serrano; (50-5-1, 17 KOs) Born in November 1952, “SS” won the 130 lb. belt in 1976 and made ten successful defenses after losing it in 1980 to Yasutsune Uehara in the upset of the year. Biggest moment winning the title from Ben Villaflor (53-7-6 31 KOs), worst getting KO’d in six in a fight he was winning to Yasutsune Uehara (27-5, 21KOs).
10] Wilfredo Vazquez Sr. was born San Juan P.R (56-9-2-1, 41 KOs) He also became a three-division (122, 126, 130) champion. When his recent;y TKO’d son Wilfredo Vazquez Jr (20-1, 17KOs) won his WBO 122 lb. belt they became the first father son champions in the same weight class and second overall, the first were Guty Espada and Guty Jr.. Biggest moment winning his third title from Eloy Rojas (40-5-2, 28 KOs) by KO 11 round KO, deemed the “KO” of 1996. Worst performance a TKO 7 loss to Naseem Hamed (36-1, 31KOs)
10] Edwin Rosario (47-6, 41KOs) Born in March 1963 and died in December 1997 (drug overdose?) held belts at 135 & 140. Power hitting fighter, considered one of the best one punch KO artist of his time. He too had some verbal wars with Camacho and many think he won when they fought. Biggest moment winning 135lb belt from Jose Luis Ramirez (102-9, 82KOs), worst moment losing the belt to P.R killer Julio Cesar Chavez (107-6-2, 86KOs).
“Mad Manny” Caballero