3. Pascual Perez (84-7-1, 57 KO)

Born: March 4, 1926

Died: Jan. 22, 1977

 

After a distinguished amateur career, that included a Gold Medal at the 1948 Olympic Games, Perez turned pro in 1952 and is considered the hardest puncher among modern flyweights.

 

Perez stood just under 5' tall as an adult and fought between 105 and 110 lbs, consistently weighing in under the 112 lb flyweight limit.  Yet he packed tremendous power, scoring knockouts in his first 18 fights.  In 1954, Perez drew with reigning flyweight champion Yoshio Shirai in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  In a rematch, four months later in Tokyo, Perez captured the crown by scoring a 15-round decision over Shirai, who held five-inch advantages in height and reach. He thus became the first Argentinean boxer to win a world title.

 

From 1955 to 1959, Perez successfully defended his flyweight title nine times, including five by knockout.  He held a 51-fight unbeaten streak before losing a non-title fight to Japan's Sadao Yaoita in 1959.  He later avenged that loss by knocking Yaoita out in a title fight.  Perez finally lost the crown to Thailand's Pone Kingpetch by decision in 1960 and was knocked out in a rematch later that year.

 

Perez then reeled off 28 consecutive wins, including 19 by knockout, but never challenged for a title again.  He retired in 1964 after getting knocked out for the second consecutive time.