The boxing Hall of Famer passed away from pancreatic cancer

by Primiano Michele Schiavone

Former world champion Panamanian boxer Eusebio Pedroza, who defended the featherweight title more times than any other, had been hospitalized recently while battling pancreatic cancer. He died in Panama one day before what would have been his 63rd birthday.

Turned pro in December 1973, Pedroza got his first world title shot in April 1976 at his 16th pro fight, when challenged the WBA bantamweight titleholder Alfonso Zamora in Mexico City, losing in the second round.

Pedroza, nicknamed "El Alacrán", "The Scorpion", became WBA featherweight champion in April 1978, in his hometown, stripping the belt to Spanish champion Cecilio Lastra in the 13th round in Panama City.

From there successfully defended his title 19 times, reporting 18 wins and 1 draw. Travelled around the world in Puerto Rico, Japan, USA, Papua New Guina, South Korea, Venezuela and Italy.

Some of his notable wins included beating Hall of Famer Ruben Olivares, Royal Kobayashi, Juan La Porte, and two wins over Rocky Lockridge, who passed away last month.

Pedroza's reign ended in June 1985, in Shepherd's Bush, a district of west London, against Irish fighter Barry McGuigan after 15 rounds, in front of a reported 27,000 fans.

McGuigan, who was named BBC Sport Personality of the Year in 1985 after beating Pedroza, tweeted: "A sad day for me as my rival and outstanding world featherweight champion Eusebio Pedroza passes away. It was a pleasure to share the ring with him."

After losing his belt in England, Pedroza returned to the ring in August 1986, in Panama City, losing a 10-round decision to Edgar Castro.

He didn’t fight for five years after that, returning in October 1991 for a comeback attempt at age 35. After three wins he lost a 10-round bout against Mauro Gutierrez in November 1992, in Detroit. He retired from the ring with an overall record of 49 fights: 41-6-1, 25 KOs.

Pedroza was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1999.

Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela expressed his condolences via Twitter.

Primiano Michele Schiavone