Wilfred Benitez was born on September 12, 1958 in the Bronx, New York. He began his professional career at age 15 when he knocked out Hiram Santiago on November 22, 1973. He would fight another 12 times in 1974, and continued to hone his skills as a junior welterweight.
Wilfred fought another 11 times in 1975, remaining undefeated, and earned himself a shot at the junior welter champion of the world Antonio Cervantes. The March 3, 1976 was fought in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and saw Benitez win a unanimous decision. At the incredibly young age of 17 years old, Wildfred was the new champion of the world.
He would defend his title two more times that year, and start 1977 as the only teenage champion of the world. The incredibly talented young fighter had a bright a future as anyone in the sport, and he would get a chance to prove how good he really was. s
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