15 Facts About Alfredo Escalera

Alfredo "El Salsero" Escalera was born on March 21,1952 and is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer and is the former World Boxing Council Super Featherweight world champion.

Alfredo Escalera had his first professional bout on September 4,1970, against Bob Payzant, in Portland.

Alfredo Escalera would suffer his first defeat in his third fight, when faced against Doug McClendon, who beat him by a decision in six rounds on January 26,1971, in New York.

Alfredo Escalera won five bouts in a row, and then lost by decision in eight rounds to future world title challenger Edwin Viruet.

Alfredo Escalera began 1972 by losing to another future world title challenger, Diego Alcala, by knockout in round eight, but he won his three other fights that year.

Alfredo Escalera beat his own future world title challenger Sigfredo Rodriguez by a knockout in round one, and former world champion Ricardo Arredondo by a disqualification in round eight.

Coincidentally, Alfredo Escalera won his world title the same day that Angel Espada won the WBA world Welterweight championship at a fight that took place in Puerto Rico; this was the first time two Puerto Ricans became world champions the same day and as a consequence, Puerto Rico, a country that had only produced two world boxing champions in its history, doubled their number of champions in one day with Alfredo Escalera and Espada's victories.

Alfredo Escalera became a household name in Puerto Rico during his tenure as world champion.

Alfredo Escalera appeared in television commercials and was a popular public figure.

Alfredo Escalera defended his title ten times, including wins over Ray Lunny, Sigfredo Rodriguez and Tyrone Everett.

Alfredo Escalera lost his title on January 28,1978, to Alexis Arguello of Nicaragua by a technical knockout in round 13 in Bayamon.

The first Arguello-Alfredo Escalera encounter has been dubbed as "The Bloody Battle of Bayamon".

In 1980, Alfredo Escalera dedicated himself to the sport of professional wrestling, competing on the Puerto Rican professional wrestling circuit.

Alfredo Escalera lost to future world light welterweight champion Gene Hatcher in San Antonio, but he beat former world title challenger Maurice Termite Watkins at "The Battle of the Champions'" undercard in Miami, to complete his 1982 boxing campaign.

Alfredo Escalera now enjoys the fruits of his career in his farm in Puerto Rico.