Hilario Zapata Reclaimed His Crown
Hilario “Bujía” Zapata won his first world championship on March 24, 1980, defeating Shigeo Nakajima by unanimous decision in Tokyo. The Panamanian southpaw went on to hold the WBC light flyweight title twice and the WBA flyweight title once.
Career highlights
Zapata began his professional career in October 1977 with a second-round stoppage of Victor López in Colón, Panama. After taking the WBC championship from Nakajima, he made eight successful defenses before Amado Ursúa knocked him out in February 1982.
He recovered the belt immediately in his next fight, outpointing Tadashi Tomori by split decision in Japan on July 20, 1982. Two defenses followed before Jung-Koo Chang stopped him in the third round in March 1983.
A second division and Hall of Fame recognition
Zapata moved to flyweight and defeated Alonzo González by unanimous decision for the vacant WBA title on October 5, 1985. He defended that belt five times before losing a decision to Fidel Bassa in February 1987. He finished with 43 wins, 10 losses and one draw and entered the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016.
His flyweight defenses included fifteen-round decisions over Shuichi Hozumi and Dodie Boy Peñalosa. After losing the championship to Bassa, Zapata drew their return meeting six months later. Across twenty-four world championship appearances, he compiled eighteen wins, five defeats and one draw, demonstrating how much of his professional career took place at the highest level.
Sources
- World Boxing Association: Zapata’s championship results and 2016 Hall of Fame induction
- International Boxing Hall of Fame: Zapata’s flyweight defenses and championship record
