The Best of The Mexican-Puerto Rican Rivalry

The rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico has become one of the most storied and passionate in boxing history. With both nations producing a plethora of world-class fighters, their clashes often carry immense fanfare and national pride.

Puerto Rican boxers currently hold the edge in world title fights against Mexican opponents with a 84-71-4 record. Over the decades, this rivalry has delivered some of the most thrilling, brutal, and dramatic battles in the sport. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most iconic matchups that defined this rivalry.

🇵🇷Sixto Escobar vs. 🇲🇽Rodolfo “Baby” Casanova for the World Bantamweight Championship (June 26, 1934)

In the first chapter of the Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry, Sixto Escobar, faced Mexico’s Rodolfo Casanova for the World Bantamweight title. Escobar showcased his superior boxing skills, defeating Casanova by TKO in the ninth round, becoming Puerto Rico’s first world champion and setting the tone for Puerto Rico’s future dominance in world title fights.

Result: Sixto Escobar defeated Rodolfo Casanova by TKO in Round 9.

🇲🇽José “Pipino” Cuevas vs. 🇵🇷Ángel Espada for the WBA Welterweight Championship (July 17, 1976)

In this brutal affair, the hard-hitting Mexican José “Pipino” Cuevas faced off against Puerto Rican Ángel Espada for the WBA Welterweight title. Cuevas’ relentless power proved too much for Espada as he captured the title with a knockout victory in the second round, marking Mexico’s first victory in the rivalry.

Result: José “Pipino” Cuevas defeated Ángel Espada by KO in Round 2.

🇵🇷Wilfredo Gómez vs. 🇲🇽Carlos Zárate for the WBC Super Bantamweight Championship (October 28, 1978)

Wilfredo Gómez entered this fight undefeated and met Mexico’s knockout artist Carlos Zárate in a showdown of heavy punchers. In a spectacular performance, Gómez dominated Zárate, winning by TKO in the fifth round and cementing his legacy as one of Puerto Rico’s greatest champions.

Result: Wilfredo Gómez defeated Carlos Zárate by TKO in Round 5.

🇵🇷Wilfred Benítez vs. 🇲🇽Carlos Palomino for the WBC Welterweight Championship (January 13, 1979)

Wilfred Benítez, the youngest world champion in the history of the sport, squared off against the tough Mexican champion Carlos Palomino. In a close contest, Benítez used his slick defense and counterpunching ability to outbox Palomino and win a split decision, becoming a two-division world champion.

Result: Wilfred Benítez defeated Carlos Palomino by split decision.

🇲🇽Salvador Sánchez vs. 🇵🇷Wilfredo Gómez for the WBC Featherweight Championship (August 21, 1981)

In one of the most memorable encounters in this rivalry, Mexico’s Salvador Sánchez took on Puerto Rico’s Wilfredo Gómez. Despite Gómez’s reputation as a devastating puncher, Sánchez dismantled him with superior speed and precision, stopping Gómez in the eighth round in one of the biggest upsets of the era.

Result: Salvador Sánchez defeated Wilfredo Gómez by TKO in Round 8.

🇵🇷Wilfredo Gómez vs. 🇲🇽Lupe Pintor for the WBC Super Bantamweight Championship (December 3, 1982)

Gómez, rebounding from his loss to Sánchez, faced another Mexican warrior, Lupe Pintor, in a grueling war of attrition. Both men showed incredible heart, but Gómez’s power prevailed as he knocked out Pintor in the 14th round to retain his title.

Result: Wilfredo Gómez defeated Lupe Pintor by KO in Round 14.

🇲🇽José Luis Ramírez vs. 🇵🇷Edwin Rosario II for the WBC Lightweight Championship (November 3, 1984)

In a rematch of their first fight, Mexican José Luis Ramírez faced Puerto Rican star Edwin Rosario for the WBC Lightweight title. In a back-and-forth battle, Ramírez edged out Rosario with a late rally to win by technical knockout in the fourth round. The fight was Hagler-Hearns before Hagler-Hearns and was selected as Ring Magazine’s Fight of the Year for 1984.

Result: José Luis Ramírez defeated Edwin Rosario by TKO in Round 4.

🇲🇽Julio César Chávez vs. 🇵🇷Edwin Rosario for the WBA Lightweight Championship (November 21, 1987)

Julio César Chávez, already a rising star, faced Edwin Rosario in a fight that would solidify his status as an all-time great. Chávez battered Rosario with relentless pressure, winning by TKO in the 11th round in a fight that showcased his incredible stamina and toughness.

Result: Julio César Chávez defeated Edwin Rosario by TKO in Round 11.

🇲🇽Julio César Chávez vs. 🇵🇷Héctor “Macho” Camacho for the WBC Junior Welterweight Championship (September 12, 1992)

This highly anticipated fight featured Chávez, the pride of Mexico, against Puerto Rico’s flamboyant Héctor Camacho. Chávez dominated from start to finish, overwhelming Camacho with his pressure and power to win a unanimous decision, further adding to his legacy.

Result: Julio César Chávez defeated Héctor Camacho by unanimous decision.

🇵🇷Félix “Tito” Trinidad vs. 🇲🇽Yory Boy Campas for the IBF Welterweight Championship (September 17, 1994)

In a clash of young, hard-hitting welterweights, Félix Trinidad faced Mexican Yory Boy Campas. Despite being knocked down early, Trinidad recovered and displayed his lethal power, stopping Campas in the fourth round to retain his title.

Result: Félix “Tito” Trinidad defeated Yory Boy Campas by TKO in Round 4.

🇲🇽Oscar De La Hoya vs. 🇵🇷Félix “Tito” Trinidad for the WBC and IBF Welterweight Championships (September 18, 1999)

This fight, billed as the “Fight of the Millennium,” was a tactical battle between two unbeaten champions. In a controversial decision, Félix Trinidad edged out Oscar De La Hoya by majority decision after a slow final third of the fight from De La Hoya.

Result: Félix “Tito” Trinidad defeated Oscar De La Hoya by majority decision.

🇵🇷Félix “Tito” Trinidad vs. 🇲🇽Fernando Vargas for the WBA and IBF Junior Middleweight Championships (December 2, 2000)

In one of the most action-packed fights of the 2000s, Trinidad faced the unbeaten Fernando Vargas. After several knockdowns and brutal exchanges, Trinidad stopped Vargas in the 12th round, adding another chapter to his Hall of Fame career.

Result: Félix “Tito” Trinidad defeated Fernando Vargas by TKO in Round 12.

🇵🇷Miguel Cotto vs. 🇲🇽Antonio Margarito I for the WBA Welterweight Championship (July 26, 2008)

Miguel Cotto faced the rugged Mexican Antonio Margarito in a battle for the WBA Welterweight title. Margarito’s relentless pressure and volume eventually wore Cotto down, leading to an 11th-round stoppage. However, controversy later arose regarding Margarito’s hand wraps.

Result: Antonio Margarito defeated Miguel Cotto by TKO in Round 11.

🇲🇽Giovanni Segura vs. 🇵🇷Iván Calderón I for the WBA and WBO Junior Flyweight Championships (August 28, 2010)

Giovanni Segura, known for his relentless aggression, took on Puerto Rico’s master boxer Iván Calderón. Segura’s power and body attack eventually broke down Calderón, leading to an eighth-round knockout. The fight earned Ring Magazine’s Fight of the Year for 2010. The loss was Calderón’s first in the Mexican-Puerto Rican rivalry and his first overall. Calderón maintains the record for most wins in the rivalry with eight.

Result: Giovanni Segura defeated Iván Calderón by KO in Round 8.

🇲🇽Orlando Salido vs. 🇵🇷Juan Manuel López I for the WBO Featherweight Championship (April 16, 2011)

In another classic, Mexico’s Orlando Salido upset Puerto Rico’s Juan Manuel López in a thrilling bout. Salido’s pressure and heavy hands were too much for López, who was stopped in the eighth round.

Result: Orlando Salido defeated Juan Manuel López by TKO in Round 8.

🇲🇽Jorge Arce vs. 🇵🇷Wilfredo Vázquez Jr. for the WBO Super Bantamweight Championship (May 7, 2011)

Veteran Mexican brawler Jorge Arce faced the younger Wilfredo Vázquez Jr. in a back-and-forth battle. Arce’s relentless style overwhelmed Vázquez Jr., who was stopped in the 12th round, earning Arce a memorable victory.

Result: Jorge Arce defeated Wilfredo Vázquez Jr. by TKO in Round 12.

🇵🇷Miguel Cotto vs. 🇲🇽Antonio Margarito II for the WBA Junior Middleweight Championship (December 3, 2011)

In the highly anticipated rematch, Miguel Cotto avenged his earlier loss to Antonio Margarito. Cotto’s precise punches caused significant damage to Margarito’s surgically repaired eye, leading to a 10th-round stoppage in favor of Cotto.

Result: Miguel Cotto defeated Antonio Margarito by TKO in Round 10.

🇲🇽Canelo Álvarez vs. 🇵🇷Miguel Cotto for the WBC Middleweight Championship (November 21, 2015)

In one of the most anticipated fights of the 2010s, Mexico’s Canelo Álvarez faced Puerto Rican legend Miguel Cotto. Álvarez’s size, power, and skill proved too much for Cotto, leading to a unanimous decision win for the young Mexican star.

Result: Canelo Álvarez defeated Miguel Cotto by unanimous decision.

Ezra’s (@EzRawBoxing) Power Rankings:
1. Salvador Sanchez vs Wilfredo Gomez
2. Oscar De La Hoya vs Felix Trinidad
3. Julio Cesar Chavez vs Hector Camacho
4. Julio Cesar Chavez vs Edwin Rosario
5. Wilfredo Gomez vs Carlos Zarate
6. Felix Trinidad vs Fernando Vargas
7. Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito
8. Wilfredo Gomez vs Lupe Pintor
9. Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito II
10. Orlando Salido vs Juan Manuel Lopez

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