Willy Salazar Shocks Danny Romero, Then Faces Johnny Tapia
Willy Salazar produced one of boxing’s major upsets of 1995 when he defeated Danny Romero in Las Vegas on September 8. Romero entered unbeaten and held the IBF flyweight championship, but their meeting at the Aladdin was a non-title contest.
An injury stoppage delivers the upset
The fight ended after the seventh round because of an injury to Romero’s left eye. Referee Joe Cortez acted on the ringside physician’s advice, and a later examination identified a fractured orbital bone. Romero had been ahead on the scorecards when the contest was stopped.
Salazar’s victory earned The Ring’s Upset of the Year recognition. For the experienced Mexican contender, it was a result that interrupted an unbeaten champion’s progress and supplied a standout achievement without transferring a world championship belt.
Tapia presents the next championship test
Less than three months later, Salazar did receive a world-title opportunity. He challenged Johnny Tapia for the WBO super-flyweight championship in Indio, California, on December 1, 1995. Tapia retained the title when the contest ended after nine rounds.
Born Wilibaldo Salazar and associated with Guadalajara, Salazar also held regional honors, including the NABF light-flyweight championship. His two major 1995 assignments show the range of his competitive year: a celebrated upset against Romero followed by an unsuccessful title challenge against Tapia. The first fight gave him the surprise victory, while the second demonstrated how demanding the next step remained against another leading smaller-weight boxer.
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Boxing, Boxing History
