Alfredo Escalera

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Alfredo Escalera
Born (1952-03-21) March 21, 1952 (age 72)
Carolina, Puerto Rico
NationalityPuerto Rican
Other names
  • El Salsero
  • Petro
Statistics
Weight(s)Super featherweight
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Reach70+12 in (179 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights70
Wins53
Wins by KO31
Losses14
Draws3

Alfredo "El Salsero" Escalera (born March 21, 1952) is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer and is the former World Boxing Council Super Featherweight world champion. A native of Carolina, his nickname was "Salsero" because he was a fan of Salsa music. Escalera is also a 2023 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee.

Early boxing career[edit]

Escalera had his first professional bout on September 4, 1970, against Bob Payzant, in Portland. He won by a knockout in round four. He would suffer his first defeat in his third fight, when faced against Doug McClendon, who beat him by a decision in six rounds on January 26, 1971, in New York. He won five bouts in a row, and then lost by decision in eight rounds to future world title challenger Edwin Viruet.

He began 1972 by losing to another future world title challenger, Diego Alcala, by knockout in round eight, but he won his three other fights that year.

In 1973, he began, once again, by losing to another future world title challenger, Miguel Montilla, by a decision in ten rounds. Before the year was over, however, he was able to avenge that defeat, defeating Montilla by a knockout in round eight, and he won seven of his eight other fights that year.

By 1974, he began climbing up the super featherweight rankings, going 8-2 that year. He beat his own future world title challenger Sigfredo Rodriguez by a knockout in round one, and former world champion Ricardo Arredondo by a disqualification in round eight.

Champion[edit]

On July 4, 1975, he fought the WBC super featherweight champion Kuniaki Shibata in Mito, Japan, knocking Shibata out in round two to become the WBC super featherweight champion. Coincidentally, Escalera won his world title the same day that Angel Espada won the WBA world Welterweight championship at a fight that took place in Puerto Rico; this was the first time two Puerto Ricans became world champions the same day and as a consequence, Puerto Rico, a country that had only produced two world boxing champions in its history, doubled their number of champions in one day with Escalera and Espada's victories.

Escalera became a household name in Puerto Rico during his tenure as world champion. He appeared in television commercials and was a popular public figure.

He defended his title ten times, including wins over Ray Lunny, Sigfredo Rodriguez and Tyrone Everett. Most observers consider the Everett "win" as one of the worst decisions in boxing history, as it appeared that Everett clearly won. A rematch was being negotiated when Everett was murdered.

Escalera lost his title on January 28, 1978, to Alexis Argüello of Nicaragua by a technical knockout in round 13 in Bayamón.[1] In this fight, Escalera suffered a broken nose and tooth, a cut on his tongue and above his left eye, and a closed right eye before submitting to Argüello. The first Arguello-Escalera encounter has been dubbed as "The Bloody Battle of Bayamon". The fight was described as "brutal".

Post-championship career[edit]

Escalera and Argüello had a rematch, on February 4, 1979, in Rimini, and Escalera held a small lead on the judges' cards after 12 rounds. However, he was knocked out in round 13 by Argüello. Shortly after drawing (tying) with Antonio Cruz in ten rounds in October of that year, he announced his retirement.

In 1980, Escalera dedicated himself to the sport of professional wrestling, competing on the Puerto Rican professional wrestling circuit. However, in 1981, he launched a boxing comeback. He lost to future world light welterweight champion Gene Hatcher in San Antonio, but he beat former world title challenger Maurice Termite Watkins at "The Battle of the Champions'" undercard in Miami, to complete his 1982 boxing campaign.[2]

In 1983, he avenged his loss to Hatcher, scoring a ten-round unanimous decision win at the Roberto Durán-Davey Moore world title fight undercard in Madison Square Garden. On September 15 of that year he lost to future world title challenger Charlie White Lighting Brown.

Professional boxing record[edit]

70 fights 53 wins 14 losses
By knockout 31 4
By decision 21 10
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
70 Loss 53–14–3 Charlie Brown UD 10 (10) 1983-09-15 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
69 Win 53–13–3 Victor Babilonia TKO 5 (10) 1983-08-12 Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
68 Win 52–13–3 Gene Hatcher UD 10 (10) 1983-06-16 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
67 Win 51–13–3 Martin Rojas UD 12 (12) 1983-05-13 Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S. Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
66 Win 50–13–3 Trad Thompson KO 3 (10) 1983-03-25 Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
65 Loss 49–13–3 Sergio Medina UD 10 (10) 1983-01-29 Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
64 Win 49–12–3 Maurice Watkins UD 10 (10) 1982-11-12 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, U.S.
63 Win 48–12–3 Guillermo Fernández PTS 10 (10) 1982-09-18 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
62 Win 47–12–3 Johnny Lira MD 10 (10) 1982-07-02 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
61 Win 46–12–3 Jesús Nava KO 7 (10) 1982-05-21 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
60 Loss 45–12–3 Gene Hatcher UD 10 (10) 1982-04-09 Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
59 Win 45–11–3 Clemente Munoz PTS 10 (10) 1982-03-08 San Juan, Puerto Rico
58 Loss 44–11–3 Angel Cruz SD 10 (10) 1982-01-22 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
57 Win 44–10–3 Johnny Torres KO 8 (10) 1981-11-21 Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
56 Win 43–10–3 Ruby Ortiz PTS 10 (10) 1981-10-16 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
55 Draw 42–10–3 Antonio Cruz PTS 10 (10) 1979-10-13 San Juan, Puerto Rico
54 Loss 42–10–2 Alexis Argüello TKO 13 (15) 1979-02-04 Sports Palace, Rimini, Italy For WBC super featherweight title
53 Loss 42–9–2 Julio Valdez UD 10 (10) 1978-10-27 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
52 Win 42–8–2 Larry Stanton TKO 3 (10) 1978-07-26 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
51 Win 41–8–2 Rogelio Castañeda UD 10 (10) 1978-06-03 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
50 Loss 40–8–2 Alexis Argüello TKO 13 (15) 1978-01-28 Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamón, Puerto Rico Lost WBC super featherweight title
49 Win 40–7–2 Sigfrido Rodriguez UD 15 (15) 1977-09-10 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC super featherweight title
48 Win 39–7–2 Carlos Becerril KO 8 (15) 1977-05-16 Capitol Center, Landover, Maryland, U.S. Retained WBC super featherweight title
47 Win 38–7–2 Ronnie McGarvey TKO 6 (15) 1977-03-17 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC super featherweight title
46 Win 37–7–2 Tyrone Everett SD 15 (15) 1976-11-30 Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained WBC super featherweight title
45 Win 36–7–2 Ray Lunny III RTD 12 (15) 1976-09-18 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC super featherweight title
44 Win 35–7–2 Buzzsaw Yamabe UD 15 (15) 1976-07-01 City Gym, Kashihara, Japan Retained WBC super featherweight title
43 Win 34–7–2 Buzzsaw Yamabe TKO 6 (15) 1976-04-01 City Gym, Kashihara, Japan Retained WBC super featherweight title
42 Win 33–7–2 Jose Fernandez TKO 13 (15) 1976-02-20 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC super featherweight title
41 Win 32–7–2 Sven Erik Paulsen TKO 9 (15) 1975-12-12 Ekeberghallen, Oslo, Norway Retained WBC super featherweight title
40 Win 31–7–2 Gaétan Hart KO 6 (10) 1975-11-17 San Juan, Puerto Rico
39 Draw 30–7–2 Leonel Hernandez SD 15 (15) 1975-09-20 Poliedro, Caracas, Venezuela Retained WBC super featherweight title
38 Win 30–7–1 Kuniaki Shibata KO 2 (15) 1975-07-05 Kasamatsu Athletic Park Gym, Hitachinaka, Japan Won WBC super featherweight title
37 Draw 29–7–1 Francisco Villegas PTS 10 (10) 1975-03-31 San Juan, Puerto Rico
36 Win 29–7 Mario Román TKO 3 (?) 1975-02-24 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
35 Loss 28–7 Mario Román TKO 2 (?) 1974-12-14 Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, Mexico
34 Win 28–6 Rodriguez Valdez KO 1 (?) 1974-11-29 Puebla, Mexico
33 Loss 27–6 Memo Cruz PTS 10 (10) 1974-10-28 Oaxaca, Mexico
32 Win 27–5 Eleuterio Herrnandez TKO 8 (10) 1974-10-18 Puebla, Mexico
31 Win 26–5 Omar Ruben Realecio TKO 5 (10) 1974-09-09 San Juan, Puerto Rico
30 Win 25–5 Ricardo Arredondo DQ 8 (10) 1974-08-03 San Juan, Puerto Rico
29 Win 24–5 Armando Mendoza TKO 8 (10) 1974-05-30 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
28 Win 23–5 Jorge Ramos TKO 5 (10) 1974-04-01 San Juan, Puerto Rico
27 Win 22–5 Sigfrido Rodriguez KO 1 (10) 1974-03-03 San Juan, Puerto Rico
26 Win 21–5 Stanley Yanachek KO 2 (?) 1974-02-04 San Juan, Puerto Rico
25 Win 20–5 Johnny Copeland TKO 5 (10) 1973-12-17 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
24 Win 19–5 Miguel Mayan KO 4 (?) 1973-11-30 San Juan, Puerto Rico
23 Win 18–5 Antonio Amaya PTS 10 (10) 1973-11-12 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
22 Win 17–5 José Luis López TKO 6 (?) 1973-09-15 San Juan, Puerto Rico
21 Win 16–5 Frankie Otero TKO 5 (10) 1973-08-21 San Juan, Puerto Rico
20 Win 15–5 Leo Randolph KO 2 (?) 1973-07-21 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
19 Win 14–5 Miguel Montilla TKO 8 (10) 1973-07-14 Caguas, Puerto Rico
18 Win 13–5 Carlos Gil KO 1 (?) 1973-05-08 San Juan, Puerto Rico
17 Loss 12–5 Gino Febus PTS 10 (10) 1973-04-28 Country Club Stadium, Carolina, Puerto Rico
16 Win 12–4 Rocky Orengo PTS 10 (10) 1973-03-31 San Juan, Puerto Rico
15 Loss 11–4 Miguel Montilla PTS 10 (10) 1973-03-03 San Juan, Puerto Rico
14 Win 11–3 Miguel Morales PTS 10 (10) 1972-09-18 San Juan, Puerto Rico
13 Win 10–3 Carlos Penson KO 1 (?) 1972-07-14 Ponce, Puerto Rico
12 Win 9–3 Alejandro Falcon KO 7 (?) 1972-06-12 San Juan, Puerto Rico
11 Loss 8–3 Diego Alcala KO 8 (10) 1972-02-16 Sunnyside Garden, Queens, New York, U.S.
10 Win 8–2 Henry Ocasio PTS 8 (8) 1971-10-26 Sunnyside Garden, Queens, New York, U.S.
9 Loss 7–2 Edwin Viruet PTS 8 (8) 1971-09-23 Armory, Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
8 Win 7–1 Reynald Cantin PTS 10 (10) 1971-09-14 Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada
7 Win 6–1 Eddie James MD 6 (6) 1971-09-02 Steelworkers Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
6 Win 5–1 Henry Ocasio PTS 4 (4) 1971-07-26 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
5 Win 4–1 Richie Lugo PTS 6 (6) 1971-03-30 Sunnyside Garden, Queens, New York, U.S.
4 Win 3–1 Jimmy Jaynes PTS 6 (6) 1971-03-24 Harvard Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
3 Loss 2–1 Doc McClendon PTS 6 (6) 1971-01-26 Sunnyside Garden, Queens, New York, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Red Walsh UD 4 (4) 1970-12-02 Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Bob Payzant TKO 4 (4) 1970-09-24 Exposition Building, Portland, Maine, U.S.

Retirement[edit]

After the Brown fight, Escalera announced his retirement from boxing once again. Shortly after, it was discovered that he had eyesight problems and had been fighting almost blinded for his last few fights.

Escalera now enjoys the fruits of his career in his farm in Puerto Rico. His son, Alfredo Escalera Jr., was once a boxer himself, who is based in Florida.

Legacy[edit]

The avid autograph signer left a boxing record of 53 wins, 14 losses and 3 draws, with 31 wins by knockout. His two fights with Argüello are considered by many to be boxing classics, Argüello-Escalera I making The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest fights of all time at number 67, and Argüello-Escalera II making it at number 40.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Arguello Takes Title From Escalera on T.K.O." The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  2. ^ "Alfredo Escalera, the former world junior lightweight champion from..." United Press International. Retrieved 2024-03-14.

External links[edit]

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Héctor Hernández
WBC Continental Americas
light welterweight champion

May 13, 1983 – 1983
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Kel Robin
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBC super featherweight champion
July 5, 1975 – January 28, 1978
Succeeded by