The profession of Betulio Gonzalez, which must be enshrined within the Corridor of Fame however for causes unknown just isn’t, featured quite a few clashes with varied champions, however was in any other case outlined by his rivalries with two males: the nice Miguel Canto of Mexico, with out query one of many greatest flyweights of all-time, and two-time world champion Shoji Oguma of Japan. All three boxers had been a part of a energetic, if not chaotic, flyweight division within the Seventies which noticed world titles change arms regularly.
Gonzalez, a intelligent, recreation boxer with fast arms and a harmful proper, had his first probability at a world championship in 1971. He dropped a 15 spherical determination to Japan’s highly effective Masao Oba (whose profession was reduce quick by a deadly automobile accident in 1973), however then gained three in a row to get a second title attempt later that yr. He was once more denied when his match with Erbito Salavarria of the Philippines was scored a draw, however Salavarria failed a drug check so in ’72 Gonzalez bought a 3rd probability when he met Socrates Batoto, additionally of the Philippines, for the vacant title. This time Gonzalez made good, stopping Batoto in spherical 4, however he surrendered his title just some months later in his first protection when he took a horrible beating from Thailand’s Venice Borkhorsor.
Simply six weeks later Gonzalez was again within the ring and he went on to place collectively one other collection of wins earlier than battling Miguel Canto in August of 1973 for a similar world title after Borkhorsor had deserted it to maneuver up in weight. Gonzalez stays the one boxer to defeat the nice Canto when he was in his prime as he gained his second world title by break up determination.
The next yr Gonzalez and Shoji Oguma clashed for the primary time, in a non-title bout in Japan. Betulio gained the choice however 5 months later they fought once more, this time for the title and this time Oguma bought the factors verdict. Nevertheless, in his first title protection, the Japanese boxer misplaced his crown to Canto by determination, who then defended towards Gonzalez and avenged his earlier defeat by outboxing and outpointing his rival.
However this wonderful story of flyweight musical chairs was removed from over. The extremely energetic Gonzalez rebounded to place collectively one other spectacular win streak, culminating in his wresting the WBA model of the flyweight title from Guty Espadas in July of 1978. In the meantime Canto saved reeling off title wins of his gained, together with two over Oguma that very same yr.
In January of 1979, Gonzalez defended towards Oguma in Japan and as soon as once more they battled to the ultimate bell and this time the judges declared the struggle a draw. The choice was greeted with incredulity; most thought Oguma the apparent winner. So the WBA ordered a rematch, a last confrontation. Gonzalez vs Oguma IV was set for Utsunomiya Metropolis in Japan, the match to determine as soon as and for all who was the higher battler.
As soon as once more, it was a aggressive battle till the shock ending. The early rounds noticed the extra aggressive Oguma in management as he pressured Gonzalez and let his arms go. It was evident he meant to take advantage of his benefit in punching energy because the southpaw unloaded with each arms to the physique earlier than coming excessive with loaded lefts. The affected person Venezuelan for probably the most half retreated and side-stepped Oguma’s assaults, every so often countering successfully along with his straight proper, however touchdown nothing to discourage the challenger. The gang cheered their countryman as he clearly gained no less than 5 of the primary seven rounds.
Gonzalez fared higher in rounds eight and 9, but it surely was nonetheless Oguma coming ahead and touchdown the heavier pictures. In spherical ten he nearly floored the champion with a vicious left and within the eleventh he continued to hold the struggle to Gonzalez. Then got here spherical twelve.
Halfway by way of the spherical noticed a uncommon occasion the place Oguma, not Gonzalez, gave floor. He slipped a pair of jabs from the champion as he backed to the ropes however then by no means noticed Betulio’s observe up, a brief, crisp proper hand which landed completely on the challenger’s chin. Oguma collapsed face first. He gamely bought to his ft however the referee saved counting because the Japanese fighter staggered concerning the ring, clearly in no situation to proceed. It went into the books as a clear, one-punch knockout, a most shocking conclusion to the struggle, to not point out the Gonzalez vs Oguma rivalry.
“Oguma is a tough puncher,” remarked Gonzalez afterwards. “I’ll always remember this struggle.”
For his half, the dejected challenger admitted he by no means noticed the correct hand which ended the match.
The triumph proved Gonzalez’s final championship win as 4 months later he misplaced his belt to Luis Ibarra. He would compete in two extra world title bouts, shedding each. In the meantime Oguma would win the WBC title the next yr, defending it 4 occasions earlier than shedding it to Antonio Avelar in 1981. — Robert Portis
