The championship bout carried greater than a world title. It was promoted as the newest chapter within the fierce Mexico-Puerto Rico boxing rivalry. Espada, 28, entered with a 36-7-4 record after winning the vacant WBA title in June 1975 and defending it once against Johnny Gant. More importantly, he had never been stopped and was expected to handle the teenage challenger without serious difficulty.
Cuevas’ title opportunity surprised many. The hard-hitting Mexican had turned skilled at just 14 years old but entered the fight after dropping a 10-round decision to Andy Price. Ranked around No. 9 by the WBA, Cuevas received the title shot after Espada reportedly chosen him for what was viewed as a routine defense during a planned tour of Mexico.
The difference in status was reflected within the purses. Espada reportedly earned roughly $85,000, while Cuevas received about $7,500 for his first world title opportunity. Veteran referee Larry Rozadilla was assigned to officiate the scheduled 15-round championship bout.
After a cautious opening round, Cuevas modified the fight with the punch that defined his profession. His devastating left hook dropped Espada early within the second round. The champion climbed to his feet, but he never fully recovered. Cuevas trapped him along the ropes and unloaded a relentless barrage of hooks and uppercuts, scoring a second knockdown. Espada beat the count over again, just for Cuevas to send him to the canvas a 3rd time. With the champion badly hurt and unable to defend himself, Rozadilla stopped the fight at 2:37 of Round 2.
The stunning victory immediately transformed Cuevas into one in all boxing’s biggest attractions. His frightening punching power carried him through 11 successful WBA welterweight title defenses, with nearly all ending by knockout, before Thomas Hearns dethroned him in 1980.
Espada suffered a broken jaw throughout the bout and was hospitalized afterward. Although he earned two more possibilities to reclaim the championship, the rivalry remained one-sided. Cuevas stopped him within the eleventh round of their 1977 rematch before ending the trilogy with a Tenth-round technical knockout in 1979.
What many expected to be a routine title defense as an alternative launched the reign of one in all boxing’s most feared punchers. Cuevas’ demolition of Espada marked the primary chapter of a three-fight rivalry that he swept by stoppage, cementing his place amongst Mexico’s best welterweight champions.
