Wilfred Benitez was born on September 12, 1958 in Puerto Rico. He turned professional at 15 years of age, and was managed by his father Gregory, who also managed his two brothers. He grew up training in New York gyms, and split his early career boxing between Sint Maarten, San Juan and New York. He matured quickly as a fighter, and by 16, was ranked by both the WBC and WBA.
Wilfred had already fought 25 times by the time 1976 began, and at only 17 years of age, challenged WBA Light Welterweight champ Antonio Cervantes on March 6 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. With his high school classmates in attendance, Wilfred took the title with a split decision victory, becoming the youngest world champion in history at just 17 years old!
He made his first title defense on May 31, 1976 against Emiliano Villa via a unanimous decision in San Juan again. Five months later, Wilfred knocked out Tony Petronelli in three rounds, once again in San Juan.
Wilfred moved up to the welterweight division on February 2. 1977 against Harold Weston, and won a unanimous ten round decision at Madison Square Garden in New York. A month later, he won another eight round decision over Melvin Dennis, before returning to San Juan to knock out Roberto Gonzalez in one round on June 2. Another one round knockout followed that one on July 1, this time against a guy named Easy Boy Lake. The ‘Boy Wonder’ had abandoned the junior welterweight belt, and now had his eyes on the welterweight crown, and one of it’s champions.
As talented and as gifted a boxer as Wilfred was, any betting man would be smart not to be against the kid when he finally did get his shot at the welterweight title.
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