Antonio Cervantes
| Antonio Cervantes | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Antonio Cervantes Reyes |
| Nickname(s) | Kid Pambelé |
| Rated at | Light Welterweight |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Nationality |
 Colombian
|
| Born |
December 23, 1945 San Basilio de Palenque, Bolívar, Colombia |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 106 |
| Wins | 91 |
| Wins by KO | 45 |
| Losses | 12 |
| Draws | 3 |
Antonio Cervantes aka Kid Pambelé (born December 23, 1945 in San Basilio de Palenque, Bolívar) is a Colombian boxing trainer and former two time world Jr. Welterweight champion. He successfully defended the title 16 times. Cervantes fought 21 world title fights, keeping the 140 pounds title for almost 8 years. Cervantes, who is Afro-Colombian, was born in Palenque, also known as the first site of a slave rebellion in the Americas. Cervantes used to sell contraband cigarettes and shine shoes as a child to survive.
He met boxing trainer Carmelo Prada, who helped shape his style. Cervantes only had three amateur bouts, winning two and losing one. On January 31, 1964, Cervantes entered the boxing ring as a professional for the first time, beating Juan Martínez by decision in six rounds. His first 32 bouts as a professional were in Colombia, and he won 27, lost 4 and drew one of them. Realizing his pupil needed publicity outside Colombia, Prada then moved with Cervantes to Venezuela, where, on November 25, 1968, he knocked out Orlando Ruiz in the first round for his first fight abroad. He followed that win with a ten rounds decision over Nestor Rojas in the very short time of only three days later.
On December 23 of that year, he suffered his first knockout defeat when Cruz Marcano, a fringe contender of the time, beat him in four rounds in Caracas.
He won five and lost two in 1969, splitting his fights between Colombia and Venezuela, and losing a ten round decision to Antonio Gomez, former world champion.
He won two more in 1970, then he and Prada moved, this time to Los Angeles. In California, he began by beating Jose Rodriguez by a knockout in the first round in San Jose, and on December 17, he beat Rodolfo Gato González, a very famous Mexican boxer of the time, by knockout in round eight. After this and a 1971 win over Argentine Enrique Jana, Cervantes was ranked as a Jr. Welterweight by the WBA. On December 11 of that year, he had his first world title try, against Nicolino Locche, in Buenos Aires. Cervantes lost a 15 round decision that time, however.
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