Gabriel Bernal Took Flyweight Gold in Tokyo
Gabriel Bernal won the world flyweight championship on April 9, 1984, knocking out Koji Kobayashi in the second round in Tokyo. The Mexican southpaw then successfully defended his crown in France before losing it later that year in Thailand.
Career highlights
Born in Cruz Grande, Guerrero, Bernal faced Antoine Montero in Nîmes on June 1, 1984, for his first defense. He stopped the French challenger in the eleventh round, completing a second successful championship assignment overseas.
Sot Chitalada ended Bernal’s WBC reign in Bangkok on October 8, 1984. Bernal later fought Chitalada again, including a draw in June 1985 that left the title with the Thai champion.
The later professional chapter
Bernal continued boxing until April 1992, when he lost a decision to Miguel Lora in Bogotá. His final record comprised 43 victories, fourteen defeats and three draws, with 28 stoppage wins. He died in Mexico City on June 12, 2014, aged fifty-eight.
Bernal’s earlier opposition included former flyweight champion Miguel Canto, whom he defeated in March 1981 before losing their return that June. After the drawn second Chitalada contest, Bernal beat Ray Medel in Houston in December 1985. His third and final championship meeting with Chitalada came in Bangkok in December 1986 and ended in another decision defeat.
Sources
- La Prensa: WBC account of Bernal’s championship career and death
- BoxRec: Bernal’s background and WBC reign
- Le Monde: Montero’s June 1984 title challenge
- BoxRec: Bernal–Chitalada championship dates
- Gabriel Bernal: Canto meetings, Medel victory and final Chitalada challenge
