Daniel Zaragoza

1.1. Early Life and Background

Born on December 11, 1957, in Mexico City, Mexico, Daniel Zaragoza initially pursued a career in law, aspiring to become a lawyer. However, a significant turning point came when he was invited by Ignacio Beristáin, the renowned trainer and head coach of the Mexican national boxing team, to switch his focus to professional boxing. This encouragement ultimately led Zaragoza to abandon his legal ambitions and dedicate himself to the sport.

1.2. Amateur Career

Zaragoza represented Mexico in several significant amateur boxing competitions. In 1979, as a bantamweight, he participated in the Pan American Games held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His performance included a victory over Alfonso Abata of Ecuador before he was defeated by Jackie Beard of the United States on points.

The following year, he represented Mexico again as a bantamweight at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. In Moscow, Zaragoza advanced through the early rounds, defeating Philip Sutcliffe Snr of Ireland and Ray Gilbody of Great Britain on points. However, his Olympic campaign concluded in the quarterfinals, where he lost to Michael Anthony of Guyana by technical knockout in the second round.

2.1. Professional Debut and Early Activities

Zaragoza made his professional debut on October 17, 1980, securing a victory over Mario Ernesto Gutierrez by knockout in the fourth round in Poza Rica, Veracruz, Mexico. In his early professional years, Zaragoza steadily built his record, fighting primarily in Mexico and establishing himself as a formidable contender. He captured the Mexican bantamweight title on September 4, 1982, by defeating Jorge Ramirez on points in Mexico City. He successfully defended this title ten times. His career also saw him challenge for the NABF bantamweight title on August 8, 1983, but he was defeated by Harold Petty by unanimous decision. He later won the NABF super bantamweight title by knocking out Mike Ayala in the seventh round on December 6, 1986, defending it once.

2.2. WBC Bantamweight Championship

In 1985, Zaragoza earned his first world title opportunity. On May 4, 1985, he challenged for the vacant WBC bantamweight title against Freddie Jackson in Oranjestad, Aruba. Zaragoza secured the championship via disqualification in the seventh round after Jackson was penalized for an intentional headbutt. His reign as bantamweight champion was brief, as he lost the title in his first defense on August 9, 1985, to Miguel Lora by unanimous decision in Miami, Florida. The following year, on April 11, 1986, Zaragoza faced IBF bantamweight champion and future International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Fenech in a non-title bout in Perth, Australia, losing by unanimous decision.

2.3. WBC Super Bantamweight Championship (First and Second Reigns)

Following his loss to Fenech, Zaragoza moved up in weight to the super bantamweight division. He recorded seven consecutive wins before challenging for the vacant WBC super bantamweight title on February 29, 1988. In a significant bout against fellow Mexican boxing legend and future Hall of Famer Carlos Zárate Serna in Inglewood, California, Zaragoza won by technical knockout in the tenth round of a twelve-round fight, securing his second world title and becoming a two-division world champion.

Zaragoza's first reign as WBC super bantamweight champion was successful, with five title defenses. These included a hard-fought split draw against IBF super bantamweight champion Seung Hoon Lee in Yeosu, South Korea, on May 29, 1988, where Zaragoza retained his title. He also achieved a knockout victory over future champion Valerio Nati in the fifth round in Forli, Italy, on November 26, 1988. Further defenses included a split decision win over Paul Banke on June 22, 1989, in the first bout of their trilogy, a technical knockout victory against Frankie Duarte in the tenth round on August 31, 1989, and a split decision win over former champion Park Chan-yong on December 3, 1989, in Incheon, South Korea. His first reign ended on April 23, 1990, when he lost the belt to Paul Banke by technical knockout in the ninth round in Inglewood, California, whom he had defeated just three fights prior.

After Banke lost the title to Pedro Ruben Decima, who then lost it to Kiyoshi Hatanaka, Zaragoza regained the WBC super bantamweight title for his second reign on June 14, 1991. He defeated Kiyoshi Hatanaka by split decision in Nagoya, Japan. He successfully defended the title twice, first against Joon Huh (also known as Chun Huh) of South Korea on August 24, 1991, by unanimous decision, and then avenged his previous loss to Paul Banke on December 9, 1991, with a unanimous decision victory in their rubber match. His second reign concluded on March 20, 1992, when he lost the title to Thierry Jacob by unanimous decision in Calais, France. Zaragoza later faced newly crowned WBC super bantamweight champion Tracy Harris Patterson, who had defeated Jacob. Their first encounter on December 5, 1992, ended in a split decision draw, and in their rematch on September 25, 1993, Zaragoza lost by technical knockout in the seventh round due to a cut, despite his objections.

2.4. WBC Super Bantamweight Championship (Third Reign)

In 1995, Zaragoza mounted another challenge for the WBC super bantamweight title, facing Hector Acero Sánchez, who had previously defeated Tracy Harris Patterson for the belt. Their initial fight on June 2, 1995, resulted in a controversial majority decision draw, with many observers believing Zaragoza deserved the win. A rematch was quickly arranged for November 6, 1995, where Zaragoza secured the WBC super bantamweight title for a third time with a split decision victory in Inglewood, California. At 36 years and 11 months old, Zaragoza became the oldest super bantamweight champion in boxing history.

This third title reign marked a late-career resurgence for Zaragoza. He successfully defended the title four times. His defenses included two notable victories against former and future champion Joichiro Tatsuyoshi in Japan: a technical knockout in the eleventh round on March 3, 1996, at the Yokohama Arena, and a unanimous decision win on April 14, 1997, in Osaka. He also scored a technical knockout victory over Tsuyoshi Harada in the seventh round on July 20, 1996, at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, and an upset split decision win against undefeated bantamweight champion Wayne McCullough on January 11, 1997, after McCullough moved up in weight.

His final professional bout, a fifth defense of his third reign, took place on September 6, 1997. Nearing 40 years old, Zaragoza faced the then-undefeated 21-year-old Érik Morales in El Paso, Texas. Despite a competitive fight through the middle rounds, Zaragoza suffered a knockout loss in the eleventh round.

2.5. Retirement from Professional Boxing

Following his knockout loss to Erik Morales on September 6, 1997, Daniel Zaragoza officially retired from professional boxing. He concluded his career at the age of 39, holding a professional record of 55 wins, 8 losses, and 3 draws.

3.1. Professional Titles

Daniel Zaragoza held multiple professional boxing titles across two weight divisions:

• WBC Bantamweight Title: Won on May 4, 1985; successfully defended 0 times.
• WBC Super Bantamweight Title:
  • First reign: Won on February 29, 1988; successfully defended 5 times.
  • Second reign: Won on June 14, 1991; successfully defended 2 times.
  • Third reign: Won on November 6, 1995; successfully defended 4 times.
• Mexican Bantamweight Title: Successfully defended 10 times.
• NABF Super Bantamweight Title: Won on December 6, 1986; successfully defended 1 time.

3.2. International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction

In recognition of his distinguished career and achievements in boxing, Daniel Zaragoza was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004. This induction is one of the highest honors in professional boxing, acknowledging his legacy as a two-division world champion and a prominent figure in the sport.

4.1. Boxing Trainer Career

Following his retirement as a professional boxer, Daniel Zaragoza transitioned into a career as a boxing trainer. He began working as a trainer for notable boxers, including Rafael Márquez, starting in 2008. In his role as a trainer, Zaragoza focused on guiding Márquez to maintain his characteristic offensive power and speed while also providing instruction to improve his defensive skills.