Baltasar Sangchili

Baltasar Sangchili

Sangchili in 1935
Statistics
Real name Baltasar Belenguer Hervas
Rated at Bantamweight
Height 5 ft 1 in (155 cm)
Reach 61 1/2 in
Nationality Spanish
Born (1911-10-10)October 10, 1911
Died September 2, 1992(1992-09-02) (aged 80)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 109
Wins 77
Wins by KO 37
Losses 20
Draws 12

Baltasar Berenguer Hervas (October 15, 1911 - September 2, 1992), popularly known in his time as Baltasar Sangchili, was a Spanish boxer who claimed the World Bantamweight Championship.[1] He was the first Spanish fighter in history to win a world championship in boxing. During his illustrious career, he defeated many great fighters such as "Panama" Al Brown, Tony Marino, Victor "Young" Perez, Maurice Dubois, Ronnie James, Nicolas Petit-Biquet, Maurice Dubois, Eugene Huat, Carlos Flix and Joseph David[2]

Boxing career

Sangchili was born in Valencia, Spain on October 15, 1911. He was the first Spanish boxer to become a world champion. When he started his boxing career, to prevent his father to learn of his wanderings, Baltasar Belenguer took the name of his Chinese partner and friend Chang-Chi-Li (Shang-Chi-Li). Sangchili later told his team: "From now on I want to announce myself as Sangchili Baltasar..."

Before winning the World title, he engaged in 60 fights, having emerged victorious in 50 of them with five defeats and five null. He defeated Carlos Flix to claim the Bantamweight Championship of Spain. He also made two attempts to conquer the Bantamweight Championship of Europe to Nicolas Petit-Biquet which ended in a draw. His second attempt, he was defeated in their rematch by a 15-round decision.

Another important victory he achieved between these fifty fights was against former IBU and NBA Flyweight champion Victor "Young" Perez whom he defeated on points in 10 rounds in Madrid.

World Bantamweight Championship

On March 18, 1935, Sangchili got his chance to fight reigning World Bantamweight champion Panama Al Brown which ended in a draw but won on points in their rematch. Once he obtained the title, he made successful tours garnering many victories both in Spain and abroad, without putting his title on the line until the veteran Benny Sharkey with over one hundred victories behind defeated him in Newcastle, England. One month later, he recovered from his defeat to Sharkey by defeating another great opponent Ronnie James in Liverpool who had garnered over fifty fights with only one defeat. On 10 February 1936 he made his debut in the United States, defeating Jimmy Martin and Lew Farber in New York City.

Bad fate befell on him on the June 29, 1936 in Madison Square Garden, New York against Tony Marino when Sangchili put his title at stake and was knocked out in 14th round when Sangchili dominating the fight by points that seemed likely to retain his belt. In October of the same year, Sangchili got his revenge on Tony Marino defeating him by points in 10 rounds, unfortunately Tony Marino had been careful not to put the belt at stake so he could maintain his status as bantamweight champion even with a defeat.

Sangchili ended his US tour with a defeat in Mexico against local boxer Juan Zurita and returned to Europe where he made several battles in France in the next two years, until he fought former champion Panama Al Brown again for the third time for the vacant IBU Bantamweight Championship of the World. The fight was held in Paris and this time the Panamanian won points in 15 rounds.

He ended his career in 1940 achieving the national Bantamweight Championship of Spain against Miguel Safont on points over 12 rounds. He has a record of 77 wins with 37 knockouts, 20 defeats and 12 draws. He died in September 1992.[3]

See also

References

Achievements
Preceded by
Panama Al Brown
World Bantamweight Champion
June 1, 1935 – June 29, 1936
Succeeded by
Tony Marino

External links

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