Mauricio Pastrana Shocked Carbajal
Mauricio Pastrana won the IBF light flyweight championship on January 18, 1997, defeating Michael Carbajal by split decision in Las Vegas. The Colombian boxer later regained the same belt, giving him two championship reigns in the 108-pound division.
Career highlights
Pastrana’s victory over Carbajal came over twelve rounds at the Thomas & Mack Center. He was stripped of the championship later in 1997, then returned to the title picture against Manuel Jesús Herrera on December 13 in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Pastrana stopped Herrera in the third round to begin his second reign. He successfully defended against Anis Roga with a fourth-round knockout in April 1998. The IBF stripped him of the title that August after he failed to make the weight limit.
Challenges at higher weights
Pastrana’s later opponents included Rafael Márquez, whom he faced twice in losing efforts, as well as Johnny Tapia, Celestino Caballero, Jhonny González and Mikey Garcia. The Carbajal upset and the successful return against Herrera remain the central championship results of his career.
Born in Montería, Colombia, Pastrana later boxed out of Miami and worked with trainer Nelson López Sr. His victories over former or reigning champions included Carlos Murillo, José Bonilla and José López. He also drew with Isidro García, further extending a résumé that crossed paths with several generations of smaller-weight champions.
Sources
- BoxRec: Pastrana’s championship reigns and notable opponents
- BoxRec: Pastrana’s IBF championship results
- BoxRec: Pastrana–Carbajal result and venue
