Carlos Zarate

Carlos Zárate is one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time. He had a fruitful professional career, which spanned over 18 years, from 1970 to 1988. Over this period, he had 70 fights, winning 66, losing 4, and never going to a draw or having a no-contest match.

With 63 knockout wins under his belt, Zárate was a deadly puncher who had excellent control of the ring. He had one world title win, which he earned in the bantamweight category. Over his career, Zárate had nine title defenses and 10 KO wins in title fights.

This article will shine the spotlight on the career of the famed boxer, Carlos Zárate. We'll dig deep into the details of his career and highlight some of his best fights and notable victories. We'll also discuss his losses and his time as a champion, and his life after boxing.

Carlos Zárate's Career Summary

Carlos Zárate made his professional boxing debut at the age of 18 in February 1970. He won his first fight against Luis Castañeda via 3rd round KO. This was the beginning of an incredible win streak that lasted 51 fights.

Zárate had his first world title fight at the age of 24 on May 8, 1976, against Rodolfo Martínez. It was his 39th professional fight, and he won the bout via 9th round KO to become the bantamweight champion of the world.

Zárate's incredible career includes some of the best fights and notable victories against well-known boxers like Alfonso Zamora, Emilio Hernández, John Mensah Kpalongo, Juan Francisco Rodríguez, Alberto Dávila, Danilo Batista, and Fernando Cabanela.

Carlos Zárate had four losses in his career, all of them in title bouts. His first loss was against Wilfredo Gómez via 5th round TKO on October 28, 1978, which ended his 52-fight win streak. Refer to "All of Carlos Zárate's losses" for more details on these defeats.

Zárate retired from professional boxing with a record of 66-4, which included 63 KO wins and two losses via knockout, and one title win. His record speaks for itself and earned him a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994.

Carlos Zárate's Career Highlights

Throughout his professional career, Carlos Zárate put on some great performances and left behind a legacy that inspires many to this day. Here are the nine fights that are the highlight of his career:

May 8, 1976: Zárate wins his first world title

Carlos Zárate earned his first world title on May 8, 1976. The fight was against Rodolfo Martínez and took place in Los Angeles, California. Zárate won the bout via 9th round KO to become the WBC bantamweight world champion.

November 13, 1976: Successfully defends the WBC bantamweight title

Zárate's first title defense was against Waruinge Nakayama. The fight took place at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Zárate won the bout via 4th round KO, showcasing his commanding ring presence and punching power.

February 5, 1977: Successfully defends the WBC bantamweight title

Zárate's second title defense was against Fernando Cabanela, which he won via 3rd round TKO. The fight took place at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

April 23, 1977: Beats Alfonso Zamora

Alfonso Zamora was a fearsome boxer from Mexico who had a record of 29-0 with 29 KO wins before he faced Zárate. The fight was highly anticipated, and Zárate emerged as the winner via 4th round TKO. The fight took place in Inglewood, California.

October 29, 1977: Successfully defends the WBC bantamweight title

Zárate put his title on the line against Danilo Batista and won the fight via 6th round KO. The fight took place in Los Angeles, California.

December 2, 1977: Successfully defends the WBC bantamweight title

Juan Francisco Rodríguez was Zárate's next opponent, and he successfully defended his title via 5th round TKO. The fight took place in Inglewood, California. Zárate showed great ring generalship, throwing precise punches that found their mark.

February 25, 1978: Successfully defends the WBC bantamweight title

Zárate's next title defense was against Alberto Dávila in Los Angeles, California. He won the fight via 8th round TKO. Zárate showed tremendous power and accuracy, landing punches that gradually wore down Dávila.

June 9, 1978: Successfully defends the WBC bantamweight title

Emilio Hernández was the next man to challenge Zárate for his title. The fight took place in Inglewood, California, and Zárate won the bout via 4th round KO. Zárate's punches were precise, and he showcased excellent punch control, which was evident throughout the fight.

March 10, 1979: Successfully defends the WBC bantamweight title

John Mensah Kpalongo was Zárate's last title defense opponent. The fight took place in Houston, Texas, and Zárate won via 3rd round KO. The fight was the end of an era for Zárate as it marked the end of his successful title run.

Carlos Zárate's Notable Victories

Zárate's career is littered with notable victories over some of the most feared boxers in his era. Here are some of his noteworthy wins:

Alfonso Zamora

Alfonso Zamora was an undefeated boxer before he came up against Zárate. The fight took place in Inglewood, California, and Zárate emerged the victor via 4th round TKO. Zárate's win over Zamora is considered one of the greatest upsets in boxing history.

Emilio Hernández

Emilio Hernández was the reigning WBC bantamweight champion, and Zárate challenged him for the title. The fight took place in Inglewood, California, and Zárate won via 4th round KO. Zárate demonstrated his power and tactical awareness to take down Hernandez.

Danilo Batista

Danilo Batista was an accomplished boxer, and Zárate had to be at his best to win the bout. The fight took place in California, and Zárate won via 6th round KO.

Carlos Zárate's Losses

Zárate only had four losses in his career, all of them in title fights. His first loss was against Wilfredo Gómez via 5th round TKO on October 28, 1978, which ended his 52-fight win streak. Gómez's victory is still regarded as one of the greatest upsets in boxing history. Zárate's other losses were to Lupe Pintor, Alberto Sandoval, and Daniel Zaragoza.

Carlos Zárate's Life After Boxing

Carlos Zárate retired as one of the greatest Mexican boxers in history. After boxing, he got involved in politics and became a member of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies. He also worked as a boxing commentator for several networks in Mexico, including Televisa and TV Azteca.

Zárate is now a retired man, enjoying his golden years in Mexico with his family. His legacy lives on as one of the greatest boxers ever and a true inspiration to many.

Conclusion

Carlos Zárate was undoubtedly one of the best boxers of his generation. With a record of 66-4 and 63 KO wins, he established himself as a deadly puncher who had excellent control of the ring. He won one world title at bantamweight and had nine successful title defenses, showcasing his dominance in the category.

Zárate's career left behind several notable victories over renowned boxers and some of the most significant upsets in boxing history. His 52-fight win streak and his impressive performance over Alfonso Zamora are particularly noteworthy. His career spanned 18 years, during which he was consistently ranked at the top.

The boxer's life after retiring from the ring has been notable, with Carlos Zárate venturing into politics and becoming a boxing commentator. His legacy is one of greatness, excellence, and inspiration, and he continues to be a role model for up-and-coming boxers.

Carlos Zárate Fight Record