"Fought the most effective defense in the 70's and 80's"
Guantes Magazine.

By Ray Navarro/Ricoqui.com
Wilfred Benitez was born on September 12, 1958 in the Bronx, New York. He moved to Puerto Rico and started his boxing career when he was only 8 years old. At age 15 he became professional; knocking out Hiram Santiago in the very first round. He continues undefeated in 28 bouts. On March 6, 1976 he made history by becoming the youngest boxer ever to win a world title at the age of 17. He defeated Colombian Antonio "Kid Pambele" Cervantes by decision, in a match for the WBA junior welterweight title. His only bout that ended in a draw was against Harold Weston in an action packed 10 round fight on February 2, 1977. They fought the rematch in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 25, 1979 winning Benitez by unanimous decision. Benitez defended his 140-pound division title 3 times, but the WBA stripped him of it because he denied "Kid Pambele" a rematch. On January 14, 1979 he defeated famed slugger Carlos Palomino in San Juan, P.R. in a spectacular showdown, and went on to win the welterweight title (147 pounds) in 15 rounds, in which the Puertorrican boxer made ample display of his powerful punch and skillful blow-dodging, which he executed with unrivaled elegance in the ring.

He lost his second defense match for the 147-pound division title by knockout in the 15th round to Olympic gold medal winner "Sugar" Ray Leonard on November 30, 1979 in Las Vegas, NV. On May 23, 1981 he knocked out Maurice Hope in 12 rounds in Las Vegas, NV to win the WBC title. He became the first Spanish-speaking boxer to win (3) world titles in three different weight classes. He defended the same title against Roberto "Mano de Piedra" in a fight known as " War of Pride" on January 30, 1982. Benitez put on another elegant display of skill and defeated Panamanian Roberto Duran in a title match. Later Duran refused to entertain the notion of rematch with Benitez.

On December 3, 1982 he lost by decision in 15 rounds in a bout for the super welterweight title against Thomas "Hit-Man" Hearns, a hotly disputed match that showed that when it came to dodging punches, Benitez stood alone. Like so many other boxing stars, he soiled his record by insisting on boxing when he was physically not up to the task. Like most Latin-American champions, he doesn't know what happened to his money, which his father, Gregorio, also his manager/trainer, had handled for him. This was one of the first father-son teams in boxing history. His parents are Clara E. Benitez and Gregorio Benitez (deceased) who also trained another former champion Esteban de Jesus (deceased) who also defeated Roberto "Mano de Piedra" Duran. Wilfred brothers Gregory and Frankie were also excellent boxers.

He became the youngest boxer ever to win three world titles. He was nominated to the Boxing Hall of Fame in June of 1996. Benitez and Aaron Pryor became in that year the 6th and 7th boxer to be elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in the first year of nomination. Because he showed excellent boxing skills and his fast movements he got the nickname: "The Bible of Boxing" and/or "The Radar". Today he suffers of Boxing Dementia or Post-traumatic Encefalopatia (medical term). He retired from boxing in 1990, with a record of 53 wins, 8 defeats, 1 draw and 31 knockouts.

Title wins :
1)March 6, 1976 won the WBA junior welterweight title (140 pounds) by beating Antonio "Kid Pambele".
2)January 14, 1979 won the WBC welterweight title (147 pounds) by beating Carlos Palomino.
3)May 23, 1981 won the WBC super welterweight (154 pounds) by beating Maurice Hope.

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Wilfred Benitez Foundation