Fidel Bassa: The Explosive Colombian Flyweight Champion
Fidel Bassa was a Colombian flyweight champion whose WBA title reign ran from 1987 to 1989. He was born on December 18, 1962, in El Retén, Colombia, and ended his professional career with 22 wins, one loss and one draw.
WBA flyweight champion
Bassa won the WBA flyweight title from Hilario Zapata in February 1987. One of the defining rivalries of his reign was with Northern Ireland’s Dave McAuley. Bassa stopped McAuley in the 13th round in Belfast in April 1987, then returned to Belfast in March 1988 and won their rematch by unanimous decision.
The 1988 rematch was close late. Contemporary reporting said Bassa knocked McAuley down in the ninth round; McAuley rallied afterward but could not overturn the points deficit. The two fights helped make Bassa a well-known champion in Belfast as well as Colombia.
Title loss and retirement
Bassa lost the WBA title to Jesús “Kiki” Rojas by split decision on September 30, 1989, and retired after the bout. His final record was 22 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw, with 15 wins by knockout. Outside boxing, he became owner and manager of Mundo Científico, an educational technology and telecommunications company in Bogotá.
Bassa’s title reign, six successful defenses and two hard-fought contests with McAuley remain central to his legacy in the flyweight division. Read more about fighters and boxing.
Sources
- Los Angeles Times: Bassa’s 1988 rematch with McAuley
- El Tiempo: Interview with Bassa on his championship career and retirement
- BoxRec: WBA flyweight title fight history
Career records and reporting: boxrec.com.
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
