World (WBA/WBC) Featherweight Championship
Duran, Juan Carlos vs. Hayward, Stanley
Galli, Tommaso vs. Cabrera, Omar
Tetteh, Joe vs. Petriglia, Enzo
Menchi, Nicola vs. Druschini, Massimo
Stampa Bordo Ring (Ringside Press)
After
capturing the combined WBA & WBC world featherweight titles from Sugar
Ramos in 1964, Vicente Saldivar of Mexico successfully defended them against
all comers 7 times, including 3 defeats of the fine Welshman Howard Winstone
and 2 of the Japanese and OPBF champion Mitsunori Seki, before retiring for the
1st time in 1968. Winstone
and Seki fought for the vacant crown and the victor Winstone lost in Wales to
Jose Legra, who then accepted the challenge of Johnny Famechon to battle in the
Royal Albert Hall in London in January of 1969.
Legra lost and by the time Saldivar returned to professional boxing, Famechon
had beaten Japanese challenger Fighting Harada twice. With the southpaw Saldivar anxious to
re-establish his reputation, the fight slated in Rome’s former Olympic venue
had the hallmarks of a classic clash.
The Mexican returned to the ring where he lost his only fight in the
1960 Rome Games as a featherweight for his nation’s team to the Swiss Chervet,
and did not disappoint his old professional fans, earning the mixed decision
over the Brit champ to hold high the world belt once again. |
