Prudencio Cardona
Encyclopedia
Prudencio Cardona is a former boxer
who was world flyweight
champion. He represented his native country at the 1972 Summer Olympics
in Munich
, West Germany
.
by a four round decision in Barranquilla
, Colombia. Twenty two days later, Cardona earned his first knockout win, knocking out Humberto Ortega in four rounds at Barranquilla. Cardona's first seven fights were in Barranquilla; he won five of these bouts by knockout
.
On September 29, 1974, Cardona fought away from Barranquilla for the first time, losing his tag as an undefeated fighter when he dropped an eight round decision to Henry Diaz in Cartagena
. Seven weeks later, Prudencio Cardona had his first professional contest in Bogotá
, knocking out Ben Villareal in two rounds on November 23. Cardona then won one fight and lost another before having his first bout abroad, on August 9, 1975, when he fought Luis Reyes Arnal in Caracas
, Venezuela
, defeating Reyes Arnal by a fifth round knockout. Cardona won seven more fights before returning to Venezuela
, where he boxed Betulio González
on March 12, 1977, being knocked out in the third round.
Five victories followed his defeat at the hands of Gonzalez. These included a third round knockout win over Villareal in a rematch, a ten round decision over future world champion Alfonso Lopez on March 10, 1978, and another win against a future world champion, Luis Ibarra
, by decision in ten rounds on June 30, at Barranquilla.
Ibarra and Cardona had an immediate rematch, on February 17, 1979, in Colón, Panama
, with Ibarra avenging his loss to Cardona by a ten round decision.
On June 15 of that year, Cardona made his Asian debut, losing to future world champion Seung-Hoon Lee by a ten round decision in South Korea
.
Cardona, however, won nine of his next ten fights by knockout, including victories over Hector Patri, Steve Whitstone and Olympic
bronze medalist Orlando Maldonado
of Puerto Rico
.
These nine wins made Cardona a ranked Flyweight on the WBC
, and, on March 20, 1982, he challenged Antonio Avelar
for the WBC and The Ring world Flyweight titles, in Tamaulipas
, Tampico
, Mexico. Cardona became world champion by knocking Avelar out in the first round. He lost the titles on his first defense, however, being defeated by two division world champion and fellow Mexican Freddie Castillo by a fifteen round unanimous decision on July 24, also in Mexico. Castillo went on to lose the championships to Eleoncio Mercedes
.
Cardona won four of his next five bouts, the exception being a ten round draw (tie), against Soon-Jung Kang on April 2, 1983 in South Korea. On September 15, 1984, Cardona had a chance to become world Flyweight champion for the second time, when he faced WBA
world champion Santos Laciar
in Argentina
. Laciar defeated Cardona by a tenth round knockout. This was the last world title fight of Cardona's career.
Cardona's career then began to take backwards turns, winning three and losing two of his next five bouts. He did win the national, Colombian Flyweight title by knocking out Toribio Velasco in three rounds on December 14, 1985. But after retaining the title against Josélo Perez on April 5, 1986 by a ten round decision, Cardona lost his next eight bouts in a row. Included were losses to future world Bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales
, who knocked Cardona out on January 30, 1987 in San Antonio, Texas
, United States, a ten round decision loss to Ray Minus on March 5 at the Bahamas, and a ten round points loss to Juan Polo Perez on May 25 in Cartagena.
On November 27 of that year, Cardona obtained his last victory as a professional, knocking out Teofilo Centeno in the first round at Miami, Florida
.
Cardona lost his next five fights before retiring. Among those that beat him were various well known fighters, such as Dominican
Tommy Valoy, then a future world title challenger, by a knockout in six in San Juan, Puerto Rico
, future world champion Jose Ruiz
, who beat Cardona by a ninth round knockout on July 11, 1988, also at San Juan, and Darryl Pinckney
, who knocked Cardona out in four rounds on June 27, 1992.
The fight with Pinckney turned out to be the last fight boxed by Cardona as a professional. He had also previously lost to Agapito Gómez
by a second round disqualification, in Madrid
, Spain.
Cardona had a professional boxing record of 40 wins, 23 losses and one draw, with 27 wins by knockout.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
who was world flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
champion. He represented his native country at the 1972 Summer Olympics
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
.
Professional boxing career
Prudencio Cardona made his professional boxing debut on November 2, 1973 defeating Luis RamosLuis Ramos
Luis Eduardo Ramos is a Uruguayan football defender who played for Uruguay in the 1966 FIFA World Cup. He also played for Club Nacional de Football.-External links:*...
by a four round decision in Barranquilla
Barranquilla
Barranquilla is an industrial port city and municipality located in northern Colombia, near the Caribbean Sea. The capital of the Atlántico Department, it is the largest industrial city and port in the Colombian Caribbean region with a population of 1,148,506 as of 2005, which makes it Colombia's...
, Colombia. Twenty two days later, Cardona earned his first knockout win, knocking out Humberto Ortega in four rounds at Barranquilla. Cardona's first seven fights were in Barranquilla; he won five of these bouts by knockout
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
.
On September 29, 1974, Cardona fought away from Barranquilla for the first time, losing his tag as an undefeated fighter when he dropped an eight round decision to Henry Diaz in Cartagena
Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena de Indias , is a large Caribbean beach resort city on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Region and capital of Bolívar Department...
. Seven weeks later, Prudencio Cardona had his first professional contest in Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
, knocking out Ben Villareal in two rounds on November 23. Cardona then won one fight and lost another before having his first bout abroad, on August 9, 1975, when he fought Luis Reyes Arnal in Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, defeating Reyes Arnal by a fifth round knockout. Cardona won seven more fights before returning to Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, where he boxed Betulio González
Betulio González
Betulio Segundo González is a former boxer from Venezuela, who is considered a national hero in Venezuela. He is considered by many to be Venezuela's greatest world champion in boxing history...
on March 12, 1977, being knocked out in the third round.
Five victories followed his defeat at the hands of Gonzalez. These included a third round knockout win over Villareal in a rematch, a ten round decision over future world champion Alfonso Lopez on March 10, 1978, and another win against a future world champion, Luis Ibarra
Luis Ibarra
Luis Ibarra Castillo is a former Panamanian boxer who won the World Boxing Association flyweight championship. He was born on 1953-02-23 in Colón, Panama.-Pro career:...
, by decision in ten rounds on June 30, at Barranquilla.
Ibarra and Cardona had an immediate rematch, on February 17, 1979, in Colón, Panama
Colón, Panama
Colón is a sea port on the Caribbean Sea coast of Panama. The city lies near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. It is capital of Panama's Colón Province and has traditionally been known as Panama's second city....
, with Ibarra avenging his loss to Cardona by a ten round decision.
On June 15 of that year, Cardona made his Asian debut, losing to future world champion Seung-Hoon Lee by a ten round decision in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
.
Cardona, however, won nine of his next ten fights by knockout, including victories over Hector Patri, Steve Whitstone and Olympic
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
bronze medalist Orlando Maldonado
Orlando Maldonado
Orlando Maldonado is a retired boxer from Puerto Rico, who won the bronze medal in the men's light flyweight division at the 1976 Summer Olympics...
of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
.
These nine wins made Cardona a ranked Flyweight on the WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
, and, on March 20, 1982, he challenged Antonio Avelar
Antonio Avelar
Jose Antonio Rodríguez Avelar was a Mexican boxer in the Flyweight division. He is a former NABF and the WBC Flyweight Champion.-Professional career:...
for the WBC and The Ring world Flyweight titles, in Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
, Tampico
Tampico
Tampico is a city and port in the state of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located in the southeastern part of the state, directly north across the border from Veracruz. Tampico is the third largest city in Tamaulipas, and counts with a population of 309,003. The Metropolitan area of...
, Mexico. Cardona became world champion by knocking Avelar out in the first round. He lost the titles on his first defense, however, being defeated by two division world champion and fellow Mexican Freddie Castillo by a fifteen round unanimous decision on July 24, also in Mexico. Castillo went on to lose the championships to Eleoncio Mercedes
Eleoncio Mercedes
Eleoncio Mercedes was a Dominican boxer, who was world champion in the Flyweight division.-Amateur career:As an amateur he competed for his native country at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada...
.
Cardona won four of his next five bouts, the exception being a ten round draw (tie), against Soon-Jung Kang on April 2, 1983 in South Korea. On September 15, 1984, Cardona had a chance to become world Flyweight champion for the second time, when he faced WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
world champion Santos Laciar
Santos Laciar
Santos Benigno Laciar , known familiarly as Santos Laciar and nicknamed Falucho, was an Argentine world flyweight champion.-Biography:Laciar was born in Huinca Renancó, in the province of Córdoba, Argentina....
in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. Laciar defeated Cardona by a tenth round knockout. This was the last world title fight of Cardona's career.
Cardona's career then began to take backwards turns, winning three and losing two of his next five bouts. He did win the national, Colombian Flyweight title by knocking out Toribio Velasco in three rounds on December 14, 1985. But after retaining the title against Josélo Perez on April 5, 1986 by a ten round decision, Cardona lost his next eight bouts in a row. Included were losses to future world Bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales
Orlando Canizales
Orlando Canizales is an American boxer who won the International Boxing Federation bantamweight title and defended it a record sixteen consecutive times.-Boxing career:...
, who knocked Cardona out on January 30, 1987 in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, United States, a ten round decision loss to Ray Minus on March 5 at the Bahamas, and a ten round points loss to Juan Polo Perez on May 25 in Cartagena.
On November 27 of that year, Cardona obtained his last victory as a professional, knocking out Teofilo Centeno in the first round at Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
.
Cardona lost his next five fights before retiring. Among those that beat him were various well known fighters, such as Dominican
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
Tommy Valoy, then a future world title challenger, by a knockout in six in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, future world champion Jose Ruiz
José Ruiz
José "Cheíto" Ruíz Matos was a Puerto Rican boxer. Born and raised in the municipality of Trujillo Alto, he was signed as a professional when he was 17 years old. Ruíz made his debut July 13, 1984, competing in the super flyweight division...
, who beat Cardona by a ninth round knockout on July 11, 1988, also at San Juan, and Darryl Pinckney
Darryl Pinckney
Darryl Pinckney is an American novelist, playwright, and essayist. He grew up in a middle class African-American family in the midwest and was educated at Columbia University. He is a frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books, Granta, Slate, and The Nation...
, who knocked Cardona out in four rounds on June 27, 1992.
The fight with Pinckney turned out to be the last fight boxed by Cardona as a professional. He had also previously lost to Agapito Gómez
Agapito Gómez
Agapito Gómez Álvarez is a retired boxer from Spain, who represented his native country at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California...
by a second round disqualification, in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, Spain.
Cardona had a professional boxing record of 40 wins, 23 losses and one draw, with 27 wins by knockout.