The Joe Louis Trophy

[Thomas Hearns]

October 15th 1974

Breaking News

On the welterwights tournament the presence of WBA & WBC champion Jose "Mantquilla" Napoles is confirmed and alongside him will be some young prospects like Fausto Rodriguez and australian Rocky Mattioli and also top contender Angel Espada is near to sign contract to enter on the tournament.

On the junior welterweight tournament two stars confirmed their participation: WBA world champion Antonio "Kid Pambele" Cervantes and boricua sensation Esteban De Jesus.
The organization is also intended to convince former champion Nicolino Locche to comeback to enter in the tournament.
"The untouchable" retired from boxing on March of 1973 after losing to Kid Pambele. Locche put as a condition to enter on the tournament fight for a world title on his first fight. Negotiations will go on.

[Thomas Hearns]

December 15th 1974

Bob Arum unveiled the rosters and seeds for the second season of the JLT:

Welterweights

#1 Jose Napoles 79-6-0 (54) WBA & WBA Champ
#2 John H. Stracey 40-3-1 (33)
#3 Clyde Gray 45-3-1 (30)
#4 Angel Espada 32-6-4 (19)
Fausto Rodriguez 16-1-0 (10)
Rocky Mattioli 33-2-1 (24)
Hedgmon Lewis 51-5-0 (26)
Armando Muñiz 36-8-1 (24)

Junior Welterweights

#1 Antonio Cervantes 70-9-3 (32) WBA champ
#2 Esteban De Jesus 43-2-0 (23)
#3 Perico Fernandez 32-2-8 (18) WBC champ
#4 Bruno Acari 64-2-0 (34)
Tony Petronelli 27-1-0 (15)
Hector Thompson 49-4-2 (15)
Monroe Brooks 23-1-2 (14)
Nicolino Locche 110-4-14 (14)

The matchups, dates and venues will be unvelied on a big meeting on the Madison Square Garden on December 30.

[Thomas Hearns]

December 31th 1974

On a big meeting on the Madison Square Garden the winners of the first season Muhammad Ali and Emile Griffith received their trophies and then it was time for the choice of rivals for the pre-qualified boxers of the season 2 of the Joe Louis Trophee.

Welterweights

WBA and WBC champion Jose "Mantquilla" Napoles selected the youngster Fausto "Ceja" Rodriguez for his first fight
It was time for the second seeded John H. Stracey that selected long time contender Hedgmon Lewis.
The third seeded Clay Gray selected mexican Armando Muñiz as his rival.
So the remainder fight will be between #4 Angel Espada and Australian hot prospect Rocky Mattioli.

Junior Welterweights

#1 Antonio Cervantes selected Tony Patronelli to defend his WBA title.
Esteban de Jesus selected promising but untested prospect Monroe Brooks as his rival.
Nicolino Locche put as condition to return and participate on the tournament fight for a world title on his first bout. The WBC champion Perico Fernandez accepted the challenge thinking that Locche is old and washed up.
Finally #4 Bruno Acari will fight Hector Thompson on a intriguing match up.

Dates and Venues

February 16th 1975
Palacio de Los Deportes, Mexico City

Jose Napoles Vs Fausto Rodriguez
15 Rounds WBC & WBA WW crown

Esteban de Jesus Vs Monroe Brooks
12 Rounds -JWW-

February 23th 1975
Plaza de Toros, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

Antonio Cervantes Vs Tony Patronelli
15 Rounds WBA JWW crown

Angel Espada Vs Rocky Mattioli
12 Rounds -WW-

March 2nd 1975
Palacio de Deportes, Madrid, Spain

Perico Fernandez Vs Nicolino Locche
15 Rounds WBC JWW Crown

Bruno Acari Vs Hector Thompson
12 Rounds -JWW-

March 9th 1975
Empire Pool, Wembley, England

John H. Stracey Vs Hedgmon Lewis
12 Rounds -WW-

Clay Gray Vs Armando Muniz
12 Rounds -WW-

[Thomas Hearns]

February 17th 1974

Rodriguez dethroned Napoles!

On a very huge upset Fausto "Ceja" Rodriguez 17-1-0 (10) scored a very close SD15 win against veteran champion and all time great Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles 79-7-0 (54) to win the WBA & WBC welterweight crowns.
The first round was big for Napoles that hit Rodriguez with all his arsenal.
But on a second action-packed round Rodriguez outlanded Napoles and also mantained his momentum winning a one sided third round.
Napoles cameback on the fourth round and the fifth one had close and beautiful back and forth action.
On rounds sixth and seventh Napoles connected the hardest punches and seemed to be in command of the actions.
But on the eighth round Rodriguez shook Napoles a pair of times with quick combinations and put him self again on the fight.
The ninth round had close actions with Napoles landing a bit more.
Early on the tenth round Rodriguez connected a big uppercut followed by a huge straight right to Napoles' head. The champion answered the fire but Rodriguez caught him again with a wicked hook to the head and dropped Napoles for a short count. The champion got up and the bell saved him. After this round Napoles had a big swelling around both of his eyes.
On rounds eleventh and twelfth Napoles showed his heart of champion and hurt Rodriguez a pair of times using his straight right as his main weapon.
But Rodriguez cameback again and won a slower thirteenth round.
On the last two rounds both fighters looked tired but still exchanging blows on even terms.
The wait for the scorecards was tense because the fight could go either way but finally the judges saw it 143-142 for Napoles, 143-142 and 144-141 for the winner and new champion Fausto Rodriguez.
So bad news for the organizators of the JLT, the main star of the second season is out of the tournament.

De Jesus edged Monroe Brooks!


On the first fight of the JWW tournament, top contender Esteban de Jesus 44-2-0 (23) socred a close UD12 win against promising youngster Monroe Brooks 23-2-2 (14).
Th fight started with De Jesus using his nice boxing skills to dominate the first five rounds of the fight clearly ountlanding his rival. Brooks was game on a pair of this rounds and totally dominated on the others.
But on the sixth round the fight began to change. Brooks connected some good straight rights to win his first round on the fight.
On the seventh round Brooks was still in command and his straight right found the mark several times.
Brooks continued his rally on the eighth round clearly outlanded a tired De Jesus.
On the ninth round Brooks slowed his pace and De Jesus seemed to have taken his second wind but Brooks again controlled the actions on the tenth round.
On the last two rounds De Jesus dominated the fight from the outside with the highlight of a big cross on the last round that almost dropped Brooks.
After that De Jesus appeared to have done enough to earn a comfortable points win but the judghes saw it closer: 115-113, 116-114 and 116-112 for De Jesus.

[Thomas Hearns]

February 24th 1975

Kid Pambele dominated and stopped Petronelli!

Junior welterweight WBA world champion Antonio Cervantes 71-9-3 (32) scored a TKO12 victory against an overmatched Tony Petronelli 27-2-0 (15).
For the first three rounds Cervantes outboxed a game Petronelli. On the fourth round Cervantes upped a gear and gave Petronelli a real beating.
The fifth round was a close one but Cervantes regained total control of the actions on the following four rounds. His straight right was unstoppable for Petronelli.
The tenth round was better for Petronelli and he did enough to win it but he ended this stanza bleeding from a cut above his right eye produced by a straight right by the champion.
The eleventh round had poor action with Cervantes landing a bit more.
On the twelfth round Cervantes hurt Petronelli with a hook and after a few more punches Petronelli was bleeding again and the referee stopped the actions.
At the time of the stoppage the scorecards were 109-99 (x2) and 108-100 for Cervantes.
Now Kid Pambele will face the winner of the fight between Bruno Acari and Hector Thompson.

Mattioli destroyed Espada!

Young aussie Rocky Mattioli 34-2-1 (25) scored the best win of his career stopping Angel "Cholo" Espada 32-7-4 (19) on the sixth round.
The first round was uneventful and even. On the second round Mattioli clearly outlanded Espada and also hurt him with a big right hook to the head.
On the third round the fighters went to the inside and exchanged big uppercuts but with Espada having the upperhand.
Early on the fourth round Mattioli connected a big overhand right to Espada's head and dropped him. Espada got up and soon Mattioli was all over him landing all sort of punches until dropped him again with a mourderous cross on the last seconds of the round. Brave Espada got up again and the bell saved him.
For most of the fifth round Mattioli continued punishing Espada but on the last seconds Espada connected a big uppercut that stopped the aussie for a moment.
On the sixth round Mattioli connected a big uppercut and Espada stumbled backwards Mattioli chased him and connected a straight right to the head and Espada looked ready to go and after a few more unaswered punches the referee stopped the actions.
At the time of time of the stoppage the scorecards were 49-44 (x2) and 49-45 for Mattioli.
Now Mattioli will face the unified welterweight champion Fausto Rodriguez on the semifinals of the JLT.

[Thomas Hearns]

March 3rd 1975

Locche outpointed Fernandez!

On his return to the ring after a two years hiatus "The Untouchable" Nicolino Locche 111-4-14 (14) socred a convincing UD15 win against, now former, WBC junior welterweight champion Perico Fernandez 32-3-8 (18) to regain a crown on this division.
For the four first rounds the fight was even with the fighters alternating on the dominance with two rounds going for each way.
On rounds five,six and seven there were poor action but Locche was in command using his jabs and his defensive skills.
On rounds eighth and ninth Locche appeared to be tiring and Fernandez started to land his hooks and uppercuts.
On rounds tenth and elventh Locche caught his second wind and clearly outboxed and outlanded Fernandez.
On round twelfth Fernandez connected two consecutive hard crosses to Locche's head and the argentine seeemed to be hurt but survivied the storm but it was Fernandez final effort to retain the crown.
On the last three rounds Locche gave a boxing exhibition against a very tired Fernandez that hardly land a punch on this last three stanzas.
The scorecards were 145-140 (x2) and an unfairly 143-142 for the new champion Nicolino Locche.
Now the Argentine will defend his title against dangerous Esteban de Jesus on the JLT semifinals.

Acari edged Thompson!

On the last quarterfinal fight of the junior welterweight tournament Italian Bruno Acari 65-2-0 (34) scored a close SD12 win against Hector Thompson 49-5-2 (15).
The first two rounds were tactical and close with a little edge for Acari.
The third round was clerly for the Italian that showed his defensive skills not allowing Thompson to land any meanful punches.
Thompson started to found the mark wih his punches on the fourth round but Acari regained control on the fifth one.
On rounds from six to eight Thompson seemed to took the fight over being the agressor and landing the best punches.
But the fight changed again on the following three rounds in which Acari imposed his better technique to outbox Thompson.
On the last round Thompson went for it and dominated the actions also hurting Acari with a big hook to the head but it was too late for him.
The scorecards were 115-113 (x2) for Acari and 116-112 for Thompson.
Now Acari will fight against WBA junior welterweight champion Antonio Cervantes on the JLT semifinals.

[Thomas Hearns]

March 10th 1975

Stracey stopped Lewis!

Top welterweight contender John H. Stracey 41-3-1 (34) scored a KO8 win against fellow high rate contender Hedgmon Lewis 51-6-0 (26).
Stracey started fast and dropped Lewis on the first round with a left-right combination. On round two Stracey continued in command punishing Lewis with his hooks to the head.
On the third round Lewis boxed well and avoided Stracey attacks and connected some good counterpunches.
But on rounds four and five Stracey agression was to much for Lewis, again his short hooks were the main weapon to hurt Lewis.
On the sixth round Stracey slowed his pace and the round was more even, Lewis also edged the seventh round attmeping to put himself on the fight again.
Onn the eighth round Lewis continued dominating until Stracey caught him with a murderer uppercut and dropped him for the full count.
At the time of the stoppage the scorecards were 68-64, 67-65 and 69-63 for Stracey.

Gray and Muniz fought to a draw!

Clyde Gray 45-3-2 (38) and Armando Muniz 36-8-2 (24) fought to an even draw after twelfth rounds.
Muniz dominated the first two rounds, the second one on a huge way.
Early on the third round Muniz dropped Gray with a big cross to the head. Gray got up and Muniz connected him with all sort of punches but couldn't finish him.
On the fourth round Muniz seemed to be winded and Gray started to found the mark with his powerful right crosses.
On the fifth round a big uppercut by Gray dropped Muniz for a four count. Muniz managed to survive the round but eating a big cross to the head by Gray in the way.
On the sixth round Muniz landed a bit more than Gray, the Canadian controlled the following two rounds. So after eight stanzas the fight seemed to be very even.
Gray mantained his momentum winning the ninth round but Muniz reacted winning the tenth one.
The elventh round was big for Gray that connected several stright right and crosses that snapped Muniz' head but on the final round the Canadian looked very tired and it was Muñiz time.The Mexican almost finished Gray on the last minute of the fight but the final bell saved him.
All three scorecards were 113-113 (x3).
So Gray and Muniz will need to fight again between the following 60 days to determine who will advance to the semifinals to face John H. Stracey

[Thomas Hearns]

May 1st 1975


Muniz dominated Gray on tie-break fight!


Armando Muniz 37-8-2 (24) socred a convincing UD12 win against Clyde Gray 45-4-2 (38) on their rematch fight.
Muñiz controlled the first round but Gray answered quickly winning the second one.
On rounds form three to six Muniz clearly outlanded Gray to take a good lead on the scord cards.
The seventh round was even and Gray had a very good round on the eighth one in which his power dictated the rules.
But on the final four rounds Muniz clearly outworked Gray to secure his victory. The socrecards were 118-111 (x2) and 117-113 for Muniz.
Now Muniz advanced to the semifinals and will face english hard hitter John H. Stracey.

[Thomas Hearns]

May 15th 1975

The JLT organization announced the dates and venues for the semifinals:

June 15th 1975
Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Nicolino Locche Vs Esteban de Jesus
15 Rounds, WBC Junior Welterweight Title

Fausto Rodriguez Vs Rocky Mattioli
15 Rounds WBA & WBC Welterweight Titles

July 14 th 1975
Centro Internacional Acapulco, Mexico

Antonio Cervantes Vs Bruno Acari
15 Rounds, WBA Junior Welterweight Title

John H. Stracey Vs Armando Muniz
12 Rounds, Welterweights

[Thomas Hearns]

June 7th 1975

De Jesus dethroned Locche!

Esteban de Jesus 45-2-0 (23) socred a onesided UD15 win against veteran, now former, two times junior welterwieght champion Nicolino Locche 111-5-14 (15).
De Jesus youth and strength were to much for the 36 years old Locche.
The Boricua fighter dominated most of the fight with Locche being always on a defensive posture and attemping (with limited sucess) to avoid the attacks by De Jesus.
On some stages of the fight Locche managed to make it comptetitive but for most of the fight he was dominated by his rival.
De Jesus dropped Locche on the fifth round with a quick barrage of punches and again on the last round with a combination first to the body and then to the head.
The referee deducted a point from De Jesus for holding and hitting on the ninth round and one more on the twelfth round after an intentional headbutt.
The scorecards were 147-135 (x2) and 146-137 for the winner and new WBC junior welterweight champion Esteban De Jesus.


Mattioli destroyed Fausto Rodriguez!

Rocky Mattioli 35-2-1 (26) scored a conclusive KO5 victory against Fausto Rodriguez 17-2-0 (10) to win the WBA and WBC welterwieght crown.
Mattioli punished Rodriguez from the start of the fight, his right crosses were unstoppable for Fausto.
The first four rounds of the fight were totally onesided in favor of the aussie.
On the fifth round both fighters went to the inside and exchanged hard blows with Mattioli having the upperhand.
Finally Mattioli connected a big uppercut that froze Rodriguez and followed it with a left-right combination to the head that dropped Rodriguez for the full count.
At the time of the stoppage the scorecards were 40-36 (x3) for the new champion and JLT finalist.

[Thomas Hearns]

July 14th 1975

Cervantes stopped Acari!

WBA junior welterweight champion Antonio Cervantes 72-9-3 (34) scored a TKO5 win against Bruno Acari 65-3-0 (44).
Cervantes dominated the first round boxing from the outside and near the end of the round he opened a cut above Acari's left eye with a hard jab.
On the second round both fighters had their moments but Acari landed a bit more punches.
On the third round Cervantes was in control again and with his jab he reopened Acari's cut.
On the fourth round Acari connected his best punch of the fight, a big straight right that shook Cervantes, the Italian also did enough to win the round.
On the fifth round Cervantes was in control again and after a huge uppercut by the champion Acari was bleeding again and the referee decided to stop the fight against the protests of the italian fighter.
At the time of the stoppage the scorecards were 38-38 (x2) and 39-37 for Cervantes.
Now Kid Pambele and Esteban de Jesus will unified crwons on the JLT final.

Muniz upset John H. Stracey!

Armando Muniz 38-8-2 (24) scored the best victory of his career with a UD12 win against number two seeded John H. Stracey 41-4-1 (34).
For the first two rounds both fighters went to war with Muniz clearly outworking and outlanding Stracey.
On the third round Stracey connected a big hook that seemed to hurt Muniz but the fourth round was again big for Muniz.
On rounds fifth and sixth Stracey seemed to take over the fight, his power was making the difference.
But on the seventh round the fight changed again and Muniz took the control and mantained his momentum on the following two rounds also winning the ninth one on a big form.
The tenth round was even and the eleventh clear for Muniz so Stracey needed something big on the last round. But it was Muniz who have a big final of the fight dropping Stracey with a hard right cross to the head. Stracey got up and managed to finish the fight on his feet. The scorecards were 116-111 (x3) for Muniz.
So the unexpected welterweight JLT will be between the new unified champion Rocky Mattioli and Armando Muniz.

[Thomas Hearns]

October 10th 1975

De Jesus stopped Cervantes!

WBC junior welterwieght champion Esteban de Jesus 46-2-0 (24) scored a coming from behind TKO9 win against wba champ Antonio Cervantes 72-10-3 (34) to unified crowns and win the the Joe Louis Trophy.
For the first four rounds the fighters alternated on the dominance. Cervantes won rounds one and three and De Jesus won rounds two and four.
Cervantes controlled the fifth round and also have a big sixth one in which he dropped De Jesus with a flushing combination.
De Jesus reacted on huge form on the following round, hurting Cervantes with hard combinations to have his best round on the fight. Kid Pambele ended the round bleeding from above his left eye.
But the fight changed again on the eighth round with Cervantes boxing nicely from the outside to control the actions.
But finaly on the ninth round De Jesus connected a hard hook to Cervantes' body and forced him to took a knee. After he got up looking winded, De Jesus connected a pair of blows to his head and he statarted to bleed again and the referee stopped the fight.
At the time of the stoppage the scorecards were 77-74 (x3) for Cervantes.
So Esteban de Jesus is the WBA and WBC junior welterweight champion and the third winner of the Joe Louis Trophy.