Joselito Velázquez

Joselito Velázquez Altamirano (born 30 September 1993) is a Mexican professional boxer. As an amateur he won gold medals at the 2011 and 2015 Pan American Games, and represented Mexico at the 2016 Olympics.[2]

Joselito Velázquez
Velázquez at the 2015 Pan American Games
Statistics
Nickname(s)El Huracan (The Hurricane)
Weight(s)Flyweight
Height5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
Reach58 in (147 cm)
NationalityMexican
Born (1993-09-30) 30 September 1993
Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights12
Wins12
Wins by KO9
Losses0
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  Mexico
Pan American Games
2011 GuadalajaraLight flyweight
2015 TorontoLight flyweight

Early life

Velázquez was born in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, but had to leave at the age of two because of his family's financial needs. He then moved with his family to Cancun, where he grew up. His father worked as a cab driver and a baker, while his mother worked at a daycare.[3]

Velázquez was introduced to boxing through his older brother, who was a member of the Quintana Roo state boxing team. He decided to practice the sport after seeing his brother compete in a national tournament. Joselito also played soccer as a teenager. He was part of Cruz Azul's U-14 team. However, he could not make it to a professional level because of his slight build.[3]

Amateur career

Velázquez was the Pan American Games gold medalist in 2011 and 2015 in the light flyweight category. He defeated Cuban amateur world champions Yosvany Veitía and Joahnys Argilagos in each competition's final match. Velázquez was the first athlete from Cancún to compete in the Olympic Games.[4] Months before the 2016 Olympics, Velázquez suffered a dislocated shoulder that did not let him practice nor compete for two months. He was reportedly not healthy in the lead-up to the Olympics but he won the 2016 APB and WSB Olympic Qualifier to earn a spot.[5] According to several analysts, he was part of the most talented generation of Mexican boxers at the amateur level.[3] Velazquez won his first Olympic fight against Argentinian Leonardo Blanc.[6] He'd lose in the next round against the eventual gold medalist, Uzbek Hasanboy Dusmatov.[7]

As an amateur, Velázquez accrued a 138-40 record.[8] Analysts see him as a technical boxer with speed in hands and legs, with ability to work in short distances.[9] He's quoted Julio César Chávez as his role model.[10]

Professional career

Velázquez turned professional in October 2016. He is represented by Teiken Promotions. His manager is Frank Espinoza and he is coached by Francisco Bonilla.[11] Velázquez ran into some controversy in his 4th pro bout, as the referee incorrectly gave Erick Zamora a count following a low blow from Velázquez. The referee declared the contest a KO win for the former Olympian, as Zamora squirmed in the floor in pain.[12]

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
12 fights 12 wins 0 losses
By knockout 9 0
By decision 3 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
4 Win 4-0 Erick Zamora KO 2 (6), 1:36 30 September 2017 Arena Oasis, Cancún, Mexico
3 Win 3-0 Rogelio Armenta KO 1 (6), 1:09 16 June 2017 Salón Mezzanine, Tijuana, Mexico
2 Win 2-0 Diego Guerrero TKO 3 (6), 2:00 10 March 2017 Carpa Astros, Mexico City, Mexico
1 Win 1-0 Eduardo Casimiro KO 1 (4), 2:13 17 December 2016 Arena Oasis, Cancún, Mexico

References
  1. "Boxing record for Joselito Velázquez". BoxRec.
  2. "Joselito Velázquez". Rio 2016. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  3. ""Soy orgullosamente oaxaqueño": Joselito". Noticiasnet. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  4. "Joselito Velázquez, primer púgil peninsular en Juegos Olímpicos". PeninsulaDeportiva.com - Noticias de deportes en yucatán (in Spanish). 8 July 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  5. "Joselito Velázquez podría debutar como profesional este año". EL INFORMADOR. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  6. TIM, Televisa. "Joselito Velázquez inicia con triunfo en Río". Televisa. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  7. TIM, Televisa. "Joselito Velázquez, eliminado en Río". Televisa. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  8. "Joselito Velazquez salta al profesionalismo para ser campeón del mundo". La crónica de hoy.
  9. "El sueño a contracorriente de Joselito Velázquez". Terra. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  10. "Joselito Velázquez se inspira en JC Chávez para Río". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  11. "Joselito Velazquez, Olympian, Inks Pact With Frank Espinoza, Teiken - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  12. "Joselito gana en Cancún con error del réferi". Retrieved 15 October 2017.
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