Alfonso Frazer (left) alongside Antonio Cervantes. (Photograph: Domingo Romero)
Alfonso “Peppermint” Frazer gained approval for beating a future corridor of famer to seize the Ring and WBA junior welterweight championships, solely to lose his titles to a different future corridor of famer in his first protection.
Frazer was born in Panama Metropolis, Panama, on January 4, 1948.
“My childhood was humble, but it surely was joyful,” Frazer advised The Ring by way of Rogelio Espino. “It was my grandmother who primarily took care of my upbringing. She at all times frightened about me and made me attend faculty till the sixth grade.
“I grew up with my dad’s household. I had two brothers from my father’s facet. As well as, 5 brothers on my mom’s facet, with whom I had no relationship. My father was a part of the Panamanian basketball crew.”
It was as a toddler that Frazer earned the nickname that might persist with him all through his life.
“Once I was little, I used to be at all times enjoying at one in all my associates’ homes,” he recalled. “I actually favored peppermint, and when my grandmother went to search for me, she used to inform my associates, ‘Inform Alfonso that I purchased him peppermint.’ So, I returned house as if I didn’t know, and my grandmother laughed, telling me, ‘Wow, you want peppermint.’ As a result of my grandma at all times advised my associates that she was going to present me peppermint, they began calling me that.”
“The purpose of each boxer is to face one of the best, and it was an honor to face boxers of the best degree.”
It wasn’t till he was older that he found boxing, and even then it was by probability.
“My favourite sports activities have been basketball and baseball,” he stated. “One evening, I went with some associates to an beginner boxing occasion. In a combat, a substitute was required. I received in, as a joke. They accepted me, I fought and I gained.”
Frazer progressed as an beginner earlier than later representing his nation on the largest stage of beginner boxing at simply 16 years previous.
“My best satisfaction was having represented Panama within the 1964 Olympic Video games in Japan,” he stated, regardless of having been stopped by the extra skilled Waruinge Nakayama.
by way of Last Round Full Screen Boxing on YouTube:
In his professional debut in April 1965, Frazer stopped Child Luis Carlos in a single spherical in Panama Metropolis. He went on to win his first 9 combat, eight inside the space, earlier than tasting defeat for the primary time. Over the subsequent couple of years, Frazer misplaced just a few extra occasions, notably to future WBC light-weight titlist Chango Carmona (KO 3). Nonetheless, regardless of the setbacks, he was at all times in a position to get well and transfer ahead together with his profession.
Along with his document standing at 26-4-1 (20 knockouts), Frazer was supplied the chance to step as much as junior welterweight and face the splendidly proficient Argentine fighter Nicolino Locche (106-2-14, 14 KOs) for the Ring and WBA titles in March 1972.
“It was certainly my most vital combat,” stated Frazer, who upset the pre-fight favourite with the assistance of legendary coach Ray Arcel by 15-round unanimous choice. “I received that chance after quite a lot of work, and for this combat I had nice preparation. Nicolino Locche was a fantastic champion with quite a lot of expertise, which he introduced out in that combat, which occurred in Panama Metropolis. He was a really troublesome opponent.
“After this triumph, I used to be the thing of a number of events and recognition, however fame by no means went to my head. I by no means fell into extra.”
by way of ClassicfightsfromR on YouTube:
Frazer turned the third Panamanian to win a world title, following within the footsteps of the celebrated Panama Al Brown and Ismael Laguna. He was joined by three extra countrymen in fast succession in what was a time of nice pleasure for his nation.
“Alfonso Frazer was one in all 4 [Panamanian] world champions in 1972,” stated well-regarded Panamanian journalist Hector Villareal. “He was joined by Roberto Duran, Enrique Pinder and the late Ernesto Marcel.
“It was thought of, on the time, one of the best second for Panama in sports activities, as a result of we had a inhabitants of 1 million.”
(Photograph: Rogelio Espino)
Frazer stayed busy with three non-title bouts earlier than he met the wonderful Colombian Antonio Cervantes in Panama Metropolis in October 1972.
“‘Pambelé’ is among the finest Latino boxers of all time, and that evening he was superior,” stated Frazer, who netted a career-high $50,000 however misplaced his titles when he was knocked out in 10 rounds.
The 2 met once more a number of months later and Cervantes was much more dominant.
“Later, he gave me a rematch and he gained once more,” stated Frazer, who was dropped within the third, fourth and 3 times within the fifth. “I’ve no complaints. He proved to be one of the best.”
Frazer fought on for a number of years however by no means returned to world championship degree. He went 12-11-2, notably shedding to future light-weight titlist Esteban De Jesus (KO 10), two-time world title challenger Hector Thompson (TKO 7) and future two-time junior welterweight titleholder Aaron Pryor (TKO 5).
“The purpose of each boxer is to face one of the best, and it was an honor to face boxers of the best degree,” he stated of his profession. “I had the chance to combat nice boxers who have been among the many better of our time.”
After retiring from boxing, Frazer (43-17-3, 30 KOs) labored as a customs inspector for a few years.
Frazer, now 75, lives in Panama Metropolis and has been married twice however is a widower. He has six youngsters and 12 grandchildren. He’s within the early phases of Alzheimer’s however continues to be in a position to bear in mind his profession.
He graciously took time to talk to The Ring about one of the best he fought in 10 key classes.
BEST JAB
Aaron Pryor: “He had a really efficient jab, exhausting to keep away from.”
BEST DEFENSE
Antonio Cervantes: ‘”Child Pambelé’ had a good protection. It was very troublesome for me to attempt to overcome it.”
BEST HANDSPEED
Pryor: “Aaron Pryor was very quick and expert.”
BEST FOOTWORK
Pryor: “Aaron Pryor was at all times on the transfer. Very skillful.”
SMARTEST
Cervantes: “There have been different boxers who had extra pace, however nobody knew easy methods to use his expertise like Pambelé.”
STRONGEST
Cervantes: ‘”Child Pambelé’ was the strongest boxer I’ve ever confronted.”
BEST PUNCHER
Cervantes: “I fought ‘Child Pambelé’ twice and he beat me by KO each occasions.”
BEST CHIN
Cervantes: “I fought ‘Child Pambelé’ after I was in my prime, however he might take the whole lot I threw at him.”
BEST BOXING SKILLS
Pryor: “Aaron Pryor had very quick fingers and ft. Nice boxer.”
BEST OVERALL
Cervantes: “I fought many nice boxers, however one of the best I confronted have been Antonio ‘Child Pambelé’ Cervantes and Aaron Pryor. ‘Child Pambelé’ was a heavy-hitter and really clever within the ring. Among the best boxers in his [weight] class, I imagine.”
READ ”Best I Faced: Antonio Cervantes” on RingTV
Rogelio Espino helped translate and make this function attainable. The Ring appreciates his help.
Questions and/or feedback will be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
