Daniel Zaragoza (born December 11, 1957) is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 1997. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBC bantamweight title in 1985 and the WBC super bantamweight title between 1988 and 1997.

Daniel Zaragoza
Born (1957-12-11) 11 December 1957 (age 66)
Mexico City, Mexico
Other namesEl Ratón ("The Mouse")
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach68 in (173 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights66
Wins55
Wins by KO28
Losses8
Draws3

Amateur career

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  • 1979 Represented Mexico as a bantamweight at the Pan-American Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Results were:
    • Defeated Alfonso Abata (Ecuador)
    • Lost to Jackie Beard (United States) points
  • Represented Mexico as a bantamweight at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Results were:

Professional career

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In October 1980, Zaragoza won his pro debut against Ernesto Gutierrez.

WBC Bantamweight Championship

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In 1985 he captured the vacant WBC Bantamweight title with a disqualification victory over Freddie Jackson in Aruba.

He lost his title in his first defense to Miguel "Happy" Lora. In his next bout in 1986, he suffered a non-title loss to IBF Bantamweight Champion and future International Boxing Hall of Fame member Jeff Fenech in Australia.

WBC Super Bantamweight Championship

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Zaragoza moved up in weight in his next bout and scored 7 consecutive wins before capturing the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight title with a knockout win over future hall of fame member Carlos Zarate in 1988 in the tenth round of a fight scheduled for twelve rounds.

He successfully retained the title five times, including a hard-fought draw in South Korea against IBF Super Bantamweight champion Lee Seung-hoon, a knockout victory against future champion Valerio Nati in Italy, a decision victory over Paul Banke (16–3–0) in the first fight of their trilogy, a knockout victory against Frankie Duarte (47–7–1), and a decision victory over former champion Chan-Yong Park in South Korea. In 1990, he lost the belt to Paul Banke whom he had defeated just three fights prior.[1]

Banke would go on to lose the title by knockout against Pedro Ruben Decima, who in turn was knocked out by Kiyoshi Hatanaka. In 1991, Zaragoza regained the belt with a split decision win over Hatanaka in Japan. He defended the belt against Chun Huh (25–2–0) of South Korea and avenged his loss to Paul Banke. In 1992, he lost his title to Thierry Jacob by decision in France. In his next two fights he battled newly crowned WBC super bantamweight titleholder Tracy Harris Patterson, who had recently defeated Jacob. He fought to a draw with Patterson in the first bout and lost by technical knockout in the second bout when the fight was stopped due to a cut despite the objections of Zaragoza.

Oldest Super Bantamweight Champion

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In 1995 he would yet again get another crack at the title against WBC Super Bantamweight champion Hector Acero Sánchez, who had defeated Tracy Harris Patterson to win the title. The bout was controversially ruled a draw with most observers believing Zaragoza should have been declared the winner. He fought a rematch with Sánchez later in the year and won the belt via split decision. At 36 years 11 months, he became the oldest super bantamweight champion in history.

This began a late-career surge for Zaragoza who was able to defend the title four times, including two wins against former and future champion Joichiro Tatsuyoshi in Japan, a tko win over Tsuyoshi Harada (20–1–0) also in Japan, and an upset win against undefeated bantamweight champion Wayne McCullough who had recently moved up in weight. On Sep 6, 1997, he lost his title to then-undefeated 21-year-old Erik Morales, who knocked out Zaragoza in the 11th round.[2] Zaragoza retired after the bout at the age of 39 with a record of 55–8–3.

Retirement

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He was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.[3]

Professional boxing record

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66 fights 55 wins 8 losses
By knockout 28 3
By decision 25 5
By disqualification 2 0
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
66 Loss 55–8–3 Érik Morales KO 11 (12), 2:59 Sep 6, 1997 County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, U.S. Lost WBC super bantamweight title
65 Win 55–7–3 Joichiro Tatsuyoshi UD 12 Apr 14, 1997 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Osaka, Japan Retained WBC super bantamweight title
64 Win 54–7–3 Wayne McCullough SD 12 Jan 11, 1997 Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Retained WBC super bantamweight title
63 Win 53–7–3 Tsuyoshi Harada TKO 7 (12), 2:17 Jul 20, 1996 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Osaka, Japan Retained WBC super bantamweight title
62 Win 52–7–3 Joichiro Tatsuyoshi TKO 11 (12), 2:47 Mar 3, 1996 Arena, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Retained WBC super bantamweight title
61 Win 51–7–3 Hector Acero Sánchez SD 12 Nov 6, 1995 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Won WBC super bantamweight title
60 Draw 50–7–3 Hector Acero Sánchez MD 12 Jun 2, 1995 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S. For WBC super bantamweight title
59 Win 50–7–2 José Sanabria UD 10 Feb 11, 1995 Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
58 Win 49–7–2 Wilfredo Vargas KO 7 (?) Oct 22, 1994 Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
57 Win 48–7–2 Nino Ruiz TKO 4 (?) Aug 11, 1994 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
56 Win 47–7–2 Wilfredo Urbina TKO 5 (?) Jul 1, 1994 Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico
55 Win 46–7–2 Juan Francisco Soto UD 10 Jun 11, 1994 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
54 Win 45–7–2 Alejandro Batista RTD 2 (10), 3:00 Dec 4, 1993 Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
53 Loss 44–7–2 Tracy Harris Patterson TKO 7 (12), 2:07 Sep 25, 1993 Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York, U.S. For WBC super bantamweight title
52 Draw 44–6–2 Tracy Harris Patterson SD 12 Dec 5, 1992 Palais des Sports, Berck-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, France For WBC super bantamweight title
51 Loss 44–6–1 Thierry Jacob UD 12 Mar 20, 1992 Chapiteau-Vieux Fort Niculay, Calais, Pas-de-Calais, France Lost WBC super bantamweight title
50 Win 44–5–1 Paul Banke UD 12 Dec 9, 1991 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBC super bantamweight title
49 Win 43–5–1 Joon Huh UD 12 Aug 24, 1991 Daehan Life Insurance Bldg, Seoul, South Korea Retained WBC super bantamweight title
48 Win 42–5–1 Kiyoshi Hatanaka SD 12 Jun 14, 1991 Rainbow Hall, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Won WBC super bantamweight title
47 Win 41–5–1 Moi Hernandez PTS 10 Apr 5, 1991 Piedras Negras, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico
46 Loss 40–5–1 Paul Banke TKO 9 (12), 2:51 Apr 23, 1990 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Lost WBC super bantamweight title
45 Win 40–4–1 Park Chan-yong SD 12 Dec 3, 1989 Sunin Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea Retained WBC super bantamweight title
44 Win 39–4–1 Frankie Duarte TKO 10 (12), 1:54 Aug 31, 1989 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBC super bantamweight title
43 Win 38–4–1 Paul Banke SD 12 Jun 22, 1989 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBC super bantamweight title
42 Win 37–4–1 Valerio Nati KO 5 (12), 1:06 Nov 26, 1988 Palazzo dello sport, Forli, Emilia Romagna, Italy Retained WBC super bantamweight title
41 Draw 36–4–1 Seung Hoon Lee SD 12 May 29, 1988 Hongkuk Gymnasium, Yeosu, South Korea Retained WBC super bantamweight title
40 Win 36–4 Carlos Zárate Serna TKO 10 (12), 2:54 Feb 29, 1988 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Won vacant WBC super bantamweight title
39 Win 35–4 Noe Gonzalez KO 7 (?) Dec 17, 1987 Arena Naucalpan, Naucalpan de Juárez, México, Mexico
38 Win 34–4 Darryl Thigpen PTS 12 Jul 31, 1987 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
37 Win 33–4 Ramiro Adames TKO 5 (10) Jun 28, 1987 Las Americas Arena, Houston, Texas, U.S.
36 Win 32–4 Aaron Lopez UD 12 Apr 3, 1987 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Retained NABF super bantamweight title
35 Win 31–4 Mike Ayala KO 7 (12), 0:38 Dec 6, 1986 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Won NABF super bantamweight title
34 Win 30–4 Raul Negrete TKO 7 (?) Aug 29, 1986 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
33 Win 29–4 Antonio Gonzalez PTS 10 Jul 4, 1986 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
32 Loss 28–4 Jeff Fenech UD 10 Apr 11, 1986 Entertainment Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
31 Loss 28–3 Miguel Lora UD 12 Aug 9, 1985 Tamiami Fairgrounds Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S. Lost WBC bantamweight title
30 Win 28–2 Fred Jackson DQ 7 (12), 1:30 May 4, 1985 Concorde Boxing Arena, Oranjestad, Aruba Won vacant WBC bantamweight title;
Jackson was disqualified because of an intentional head-butt
29 Win 27–2 Jorge Ramirez PTS 12 Nov 30, 1984 La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico Retained Mexico bantamweight title
28 Win 26–2 Jorge Ramirez DQ 11 (12) Sep 21, 1984 Plaza de Toros Alberto Balderas, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico Retained Mexico bantamweight title
Ramirez was disqualified for butting
27 Win 25–2 Mario Gomez TKO 3 (12) May 21, 1984 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico Retained Mexico bantamweight title
26 Win 24–2 Patrick Young TKO 4 (?) Mar 16, 1984 Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
25 Win 23–2 Javier Marquez TKO 5 (12) Feb 18, 1984 Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico Retained Mexico bantamweight title
24 Win 22–2 Rigoberto Estrada PTS 12 Dec 16, 1983 Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico Retained Mexico bantamweight title
23 Win 21–2 Rodolfo Martínez TKO 11 (12) Oct 29, 1983 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico Retained Mexico bantamweight title
22 Win 20–2 Martin Torres TKO 5 (12) Sep 26, 1983 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico Retained Mexico bantamweight title
21 Loss 19–2 Harold Petty UD 12 Aug 8, 1983 Astro Arena, Houston, Texas, U.S. For NABF bantamweight title
20 Win 19–1 Jesus Lopez PTS 12 May 27, 1983 Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico Retained Mexico bantamweight title
19 Win 18–1 Rigoberto Estrada PTS 12 Mar 18, 1983 Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico Retained Mexico bantamweight title
18 Win 17–1 Lorenzo Ramirez PTS 10 Jan 29, 1983 Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
17 Win 16–1 Jesus Lopez PTS 12 Nov 29, 1982 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico Retained Mexico bantamweight title
16 Win 15–1 Jorge Ramirez PTS 12 Sep 4, 1982 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Won Mexico bantamweight title
15 Loss 14–1 Harold Petty UD 10 Jul 29, 1982 Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Ramon Concha TKO 2 (?) Apr 23, 1982 Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
13 Win 13–0 Francisco Paco Mayo TKO 5 (?) Mar 5, 1982 Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
12 Win 12–0 Miguel Juarez PTS 10 Feb 12, 1982 Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
11 Win 11–0 Mario Chavez PTS 10 Nov 21, 1981 Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
10 Win 10–0 Julio Avendano KO 4 (?) Oct 30, 1981 Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
9 Win 9–0 Javier Marquez TKO 8 (?) Sep 16, 1981 Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
8 Win 8–0 Rayito Gonzalez TKO 4 (10) Aug 28, 1981 Campeche, Campeche, Mexico
7 Win 7–0 Alonzo Gonzalez PTS 10 Jul 22, 1981 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Roque Guillen TKO 3 (?) Jun 27, 1981 Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
5 Win 5–0 Jose Zapata PTS 10 May 15, 1981 Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
4 Win 4–0 Jesus Maravilla KO 2 (?) Mar 29, 1981 Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
3 Win 3–0 Joel Segura KO 10 (10) Feb 21, 1981 Merida, Yucatán, Mexico
2 Win 2–0 Porfirio Urrutia TKO 3 (?) Dec 19, 1980 Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico
1 Win 1–0 Mario Ernesto Gutierrez KO 4 (?) Oct 17, 1980 Poza Rica, Veracruz, Mexico

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Former champ's bumpy journey leads to national boxing hall of fame". El Paso Times. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  2. ^ "Morales Takes Zaragoza's Title". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  3. ^ "Looking back on the storied career of Daniel Zaragoza". ESPN. 21 March 2007. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
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Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by NABF super bantamweight champion
December 6, 1986 – 1988
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Louie Espinoza
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Alberto Dávila
WBC bantamweight champion
May 4, 1985 – August 9, 1985
Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Jeff Fenech
WBC super bantamweight champion
February 29, 1988 – April 23, 1990
Succeeded by
Preceded by WBC super bantamweight champion
June 14, 1991 – March 20, 1992
Succeeded by
Preceded by WBC super bantamweight champion
November 6, 1995 – September 6, 1997
Succeeded by