Wilfred Benitez is regarded by many as one of the most talented boxers of his era. He began his career as a professional boxer while still a teenager and would become a three-time world champion. Benitez endured personal issues and health problems along with his success, and his decline as a boxer was nearly as steep as his climb up the ladder. Let’s take a closer look at the rise and fall of Wilfred Benitez, examining his early years, his accomplishments as a boxer, and the factors that contributed to his eventual downfall.
Early Life
Wilfred Benitez was born on September 12, 1958, in New York’s Bronx Borough. Benitez grew up with seven siblings. His father, Gregorio, had immigrated to the Big Apple as a young man during the 1940s.
Gregorio worked as an auto body repairman, but sports were a mainstay in the Benitez household. Wilfred was eight years old when he first entered a boxing gym with his father. Gregorio would charge neighborhood residents a quarter to watch Wilfred and his brothers box.
Wilfred’s natural talent showed immediately, and he won his first official amateur bout shortly after his ninth birthday.
Amateur Career
Wilfred Benitez’s amateur career was brief but notable. He claimed several regional and national boxing titles. Benitez competed in the Carribean Games in Costa Rica at the age of 14. To do so, he lied to officials claiming to be 17.
The middle-school-aged Benitez wowed onlookers with his reflexes, footwork, and ability to dodge his opponent’s punches before falling short in the finals to Cuban world champion Orlando Martinez.
Early Professional Career
Wilfred Benitez became a professional boxer shortly after his impressive performance at the Caribbean Games. He was still only 15 years old. His first opponent, Hiram Santiago, became the first of his 31 knockout victims on November 22, 1973.
Two years later, Wilfred Benitez prepared for the biggest fight of his career. His record at the time was 25-0. His opponent would be Antonio Cervantes. The prize was the WBA Super Lightweight Championship. The young prodigy was 17 years old.
Wilfred Benitez versus Antonio Cervantes
Wilfred Benitez challenged Antonio Cervantes for the WBA Junior Welterweight title on March 6, 1976. The champion came into the fight as a 4-1 favorite in his 11th title defense. Few boxing insiders gave the 17-year-old Benitez much of a chance to leave the ring as a world champion.
Benitez and Cervantes fought even over the first four rounds of the contest. But the speed and skill of Benitez allowed the challenger to dominate the fight’s middle rounds. In round six, a flurry of punches by the teenager sent Cervantes to the canvas. Cervantes would later mount an 11th-round rally, but once the tally of the scorecards were complete, Benitez became the youngest champion in the sport’s history via an unexpected split-decision victory. The contest is still considered one of the greatest upsets in boxing history.
Wilfred Benitez versus Carlos Palomino
Wilfred Benitez entered the ring against Carlos Palomino on January 14, 1979, to fight for the WBC Welterweight title. There was a bit of turmoil in the Benitez camp leading up to the fight as his father, Gregorio, was forced to share training duties with boxing legend Emile Griffith.
Benitez started the contest fast and enjoyed an early lead over the first quarter of the fight. Palomino came on in the fifth but could not build on that momentum in the following rounds. By round twelve, The Palomino corner was making it clear to their fighter that he would need a knockout to retain his title. Palomino was unable to deliver and Benitez won his title in a split-decision victory.
Wilfred Benitez versus Sugar Ray Leonard
The fight between Sugar Ray Leonard and Wilfred Benitez took place on November 30, 1979. Many boxing insiders regard the contest as one of the classic welterweight clashes of the 1970s.
Wilfred Benitez was the WBC welterweight champion coming into the fight. Sugar Ray Leonard was an undefeated rising star with an impressive record. The boxing match happened at Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace. The watched via ABC primetime television.
The fight was a highly competitive and tactical battle between two skillful fighters. Benitez’s defensive skills and counter-punching thwarted much of Leonard’s offense. However, Leonard continued to use his speed and power while attempting to break through Benitez’s defense.
The technical battle turned into an all-out war in the fifteenth round, with both men thinking they needed the final round to secure the fight. Sugar Ray Leonard landed a clean knockdown. Benitez made it to his feet but Leonard unleashed a series of power punches, causing a stoppage. For Benitez, it was his first defeat in 38 fights. And Sugar Ray Leonard was the newly crowned WBC welterweight champion.
Life After Boxing
Wilfred Benitez unlaced his gloves for good in 1990. His life after boxing included great struggle. The three-time world champion was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury in 1996 at 38 years of age. The resulting cognitive and physical decline precipitated the need for assistance with daily living activities.
Benitez also faced financial struggles following his hall-of-fame boxing career. Mismanagement of the small fortune he made as a fighter makes it difficult for him to meet medical and personal expenses. Despite the hardships, Benitez has worked faithfully as an advocate for younger boxers. He will also forever be known as one of the great fighters to enter the sport of boxing.