Panama Al Brown Opened a World Championship Door for Latin
Alfonso Teófilo “Panama Al” Brown became Latin America’s first world boxing champion in 1929. His rise included a fifteen-round decision over Gregorio Vidal in New York on June 18 of that year.
An international championship career
Born in Colón, Panama, on July 5, 1902, Brown began his professional career there with a points victory over José Moreno in March 1922. He later competed extensively in the United States and Europe.
His championship opposition included Johnny Erickson, Eugène Huat, Kid Francis, Emile Pladner and Domenico Bernasconi. The tall bantamweight became a prominent attraction in Paris while defending different organizations’ recognition across several countries.
The Sangchili rivalry and final years
Baltasar Sangchili defeated Brown on points in Valencia in June 1935. Brown later beat Sangchili in Paris in 1938 for the vacant IBU championship.
Brown eventually returned to Panama and ended his recorded career with a victory over Kid Fortune in December 1942. He died in New York on April 11, 1951.
Brown’s championship travels included defenses in Montreal, Marseille, Casablanca and Milan. His combination of unusual height, long reach and speed helped him succeed against bantamweights. Returning home, he unsuccessfully pursued Panama’s featherweight championship against Eduardo Carrasco. The International Boxing Hall of Fame inducted him in 1990, recognizing his pioneering career.
