Iván Pozo Brought the European Flyweight Crown Home to Vigo
Iván Pozo won the European flyweight championship in Vigo, Spain, on July 8, 2005, defeating Italy’s Andrea Sarritzu by unanimous decision. The victory gave the Galician boxer a major championship breakthrough in front of his home supporters.
Career highlights
Known as “El Pequeño Guerrero,” Pozo defended the European belt against Lahcene Zemmouri in September 2005, winning by third-round technical knockout. Another successful defense followed against Robert Isaszegi before Sarritzu took the title in their July 2006 rematch in Milan.
Pozo’s official résumé also includes Spanish national honors, WBC Mundo Hispano championships and a WBO Inter-Continental flyweight title. His career extended beyond flyweight into contests at bantamweight.
The later professional chapter
Pozo defeated Luis Sandoval by corner retirement in September 2010 and former world champion Adonis Rivas by unanimous decision in March 2011. His final listed bout was a stoppage defeat against Xavier Urpi in Madrid in March 2013.
Earlier in his career, Pozo had challenged Brahim Asloum in France in April 2004, losing by unanimous decision. A later home assignment against WBO flyweight champion Omar Narváez in May 2008 ended with Pozo retiring in his corner. He also traveled to Sheffield to face Jamie McDonnell in March 2012, extending his international experience into the bantamweight division.
Sources
- Vigo city news: Pozo’s European title victory and first defense announcement
- Sport & Note: European flyweight championship chronology
- BoxerList: Pozo’s professional opponents and results
- Iván Pozo: official championship résumé
