Juan Meza(bornJesus Fernández,March 18, 1956 – July 20, 2023), also known for his nicknameKid Meza,was a Mexican professional boxer who was world Super Bantamweight champion. Meza was born inMexicali,Mexico.
Juan Meza | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jesus Fernández March 18, 1956 Mexicali,Baja California,Mexico |
| Died | July 20, 2023(aged 67) |
| Other names | Kid |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Super bantamweight |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 54 |
| Wins | 45 |
| Wins by KO | 37 |
| Losses | 9 |
Short biography
editJuan Meza was born asJesus Fernándezon March 18, 1956. Prior to beginning his career, and for undisclosed reasons, he changed his name officially to Juan Meza.
Meza was a popular fighter amongLatin Americans,specially those of Mexican descent who lived in North America. Histrainerwas the well known boxing personality, Jimmy Montoya.
Juan Meza died on July 20, 2023, at the age of 67.[1]
Professional career
editJuan Meza debuted on September 23, 1977,knocking outElias Rodriguez in three rounds atTucson.
Meza lost for the first time on his second bout, being beaten on points after four rounds by Valentin Holguin on October 13 inLos Angeles.Six days later, he knocked out Davey White inLas Vegas.Eight days later, he had a rematch with Holguin, over the extremely rare five rounds schedule distance. He avenged his first loss by outpointing Holguin.
On November 3, he scored his first knockout in the first round, defeating Horacio Pintado in Los Angeles. But, in his next fight, on November 18, he lost by a four-round decision to Carlos Ortiz, (not to be confused withthe Puerto Rican world champion boxer and Hall of Famer of the same name) inSan Diego.
Meza began rising in boxing's ranks when he knocked Ortiz out in the first round on December 16, also at San Diego. He won 29 of his next 31 bouts, earning fame, particularly in the West Coast of the United States.
Meza got his first world championship try, when he facedWilfredo GómezinAtlantic City,for the WBC world Super Bantamweight title. Meza lost to Gómez by a sixth-round knockout.[2]
After losing to Gómez, Mesa took off one year from boxing. During this time, Gómez left the championship vacant; to challenge for the WBC's world Featherweight championship, andJaime Garzawon it by knocking out Bobby Berna for the vacant championship.
Meanwhile, Meza returned to boxing on April 26, 1983, knocking out Roberto Castillo in four rounds at Las Vegas.
Meza traveled toThailandduring July of that year, to fight Pongpan Sorphayathai on the 13th. of that month. He beat the Thai fighter by a third-round knockout.
On November 19, he fought Javier Barajas in Las Vegas, beating Barajas by a ten-round decision. The pair had a rematch, on May 16, 1984 in Las Vegas, and Meza won once again, by a ten-round decision. After that, he was ranked as the number one Super Bantamweight challenger once again by the WBC.
On November 3, he was given a second try at the championship when he faced Garza, inKingston, New York.Meza became the first challenger in boxing history to be dropped in round one, get up and knock the world champion out in the same first round, when he beat Garza to become the WBC world Super Bantamweight champion that day.
On April 19, 1985 he andJulio César Chávezco-starred in an undercard, defending their world championships againstMike AyalaandRuben Castillo,respectively, at theInglewood Forum,inInglewood, California.Both champions retained their titles with sixth-round knockout wins.
On August 18, he andLupe Pintorsquared off in a fight that garnered major interest among Mexican boxing fans. Meza lost his title inTijuanathat night, when Pintor dropped him twice, outpointing him over twelve rounds.[3]
Pintor lost his title, in turn, toSamart Payakaroon,who gave Meza a chance to recover the WBC world Super Bantamweight championship on December 10, 1986 inBangkok.Despite not fighting for more than a year, Meza lasted until the twelfth round with Payakaroon, who proceeded to knock him out in that round.
Meza had two fights in 1987, beating Lenny Valdez in the first round by knockout, and then losing to Javier Marquez by a knockout in round eight on October 30. After his fight with Marquez, he retired for ten years.
On February 14, 1997, he returned to boxing with a knockout victory, beating Esteban Lozoya in four rounds at Mexicali. But, in his next fight, he met fringe contenderWilfredo NegronofPuerto Rico,being knocked out by the Puerto Rican in the first round atMiami.Meza then retired for the second time.
Professional boxing record
edit| 54 fights | 45 wins | 9 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 37 | 4 |
| By decision | 8 | 5 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | Loss | 45–9 | Wilfredo Negrón | TKO | 1 (8) | 1997-03-22 | Mahi Temple Shrine Auditorium,Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 45–8 | Esteban Lozoya | KO | 4 (8) | 1997-02-14 | Salón Casa Blanca, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 52 | Loss | 44–8 | Javier Marquez | TKO | 8 (10) | 1987-10-30 | Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 51 | Win | 44–7 | Lenny Valdez | TKO | 1 (10) | 1987-08-28 | Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 50 | Loss | 43–7 | Samart Payakaroon | TKO | 12 (12) | 1986-12-10 | Indoor Stadium Huamark,Bangkok, Thailand | For WBC super bantamweight title |
| 49 | Loss | 43–6 | Lupe Pintor | UD | 12 (12) | 1985-08-18 | Palacio de los Deportes,Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico | Lost WBC super bantamweight title |
| 48 | Win | 43–5 | Mike Ayala | TKO | 6 (12) | 1985-04-19 | Forum,Inglewood, California, U.S. | Retained WBC super bantamweight title |
| 47 | Win | 42–5 | Jaime Garza | KO | 1 (12) | 1984-11-03 | Midtown Neighborhood Center, Kingston, U.S. | Won WBC super bantamweight title |
| 46 | Win | 41–5 | Javier Barajas | SD | 10 (10) | 1984-05-16 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Sports Pavilion, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 40–5 | Javier Barajas | UD | 10 (10) | 1983-11-19 | Showboat Hotel and Casino,Sports Pavilion, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 39–5 | Pongpan Sorphayathai | TKO | 3 (12) | 1983-07-13 | Rajadamnern Stadium,Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 43 | Win | 38–5 | Roberto Castillo | TKO | 8 (10) | 1983-04-20 | Civic Auditorium,San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 42 | Loss | 37–5 | Wilfredo Gómez | TKO | 6 (15) | 1982-03-27 | Playboy Hotel & Casino,Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | ForWBCsuper bantamweight title |
| 41 | Win | 37–4 | Antonio Guido | TKO | 9 (10) | 1982-01-30 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 36–4 | Lupe Martinez | TKO | 4 (?) | 1981-10-04 | Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 39 | Win | 35–4 | Carlos Mendoza | TKO | 10 (12) | 1981-08-21 | Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 34–4 | James Martinez | MD | 10 (10) | 1981-05-28 | Hacienda Hotel, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 33–4 | Javier Flores | TKO | 8 (10) | 1981-03-26 | Hacienda Hotel,Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 32–4 | Jose De la Cruz Lopez | TKO | 2 (?) | 1981-03-12 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 35 | Win | 31–4 | Luis Avila | TKO | 6 (10) | 1980-12-19 | Caesars Palace,Sports Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 30–4 | Alfonso Rodriguez | UD | 10 (10) | 1980-11-20 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 29–4 | Pedro Chavez | KO | 3 (10) | 1980-10-09 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 32 | Win | 28–4 | Francisco Marquez | TKO | 1 (?) | 1980-08-21 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 31 | Loss | 27–4 | Carlos Mendoza | SD | 10 (10) | 1980-06-26 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 27–3 | Alex Garcia | KO | 3 (10) | 1980-05-22 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 26–3 | Jorge Altamirano | KO | 3 (10) | 1980-03-26 | Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 25–3 | Ruben Moreno | KO | 6 (10) | 1980-03-06 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 24–3 | Simon Fortanelle | KO | 2 (10) | 1980-01-20 | Civic Plaza, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 23–3 | Roy Hernandez | KO | 1 (10) | 1979-11-08 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 22–3 | Carlos Cantu | KO | 3 (10) | 1979-10-24 | Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 21–3 | Mucio Nava | KO | 2 (10) | 1979-10-03 | Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 20–3 | Humberto Lara | TKO | 5 (10) | 1979-08-16 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 19–3 | Rosendo Ramirez | TKO | 5 (10) | 1979-06-14 | Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 18–3 | Jose Luis Cruz | TKO | 4 (10) | 1979-03-21 | Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 17–3 | Noel Arriesgado | UD | 10 (10) | 1979-01-30 | Blaisdell Center Arena,Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 16–3 | James Martinez | SD | 10 (10) | 1979-01-09 | Civic Plaza, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 15–3 | Leonel Valencia | KO | 2 (8) | 1978-12-12 | Memorial Auditorium,Sacramento, California, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 14–3 | Mauro Fuentes | TKO | 2 (6) | 1978-11-22 | Civic Plaza,Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 13–3 | Jose Luis Lara | TKO | 5 (10) | 1978-11-15 | Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 15 | Loss | 12–3 | William Berry | UD | 10 (10) | 1978-08-02 | Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 12–2 | Alfonso Cirillo | KO | 1 (10) | 1978-07-05 | Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 11–2 | Pascual Villareal | KO | 2 (?) | 1978-06-26 | Bakersfield, California, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 10–2 | Jose Luis Garcia | KO | 1 (?) | 1978-06-14 | Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 9–2 | Luis Rico | TKO | 2 (8) | 1978-05-24 | Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 8–2 | Adun Aguilar | TKO | 1 (?) | 1978-05-10 | Silver Slipper,Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 7–2 | Rudy Ambriz | SD | 4 (4) | 1978-04-28 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 6–2 | Julian Gaxiola | KO | 1 (6) | 1978-02-12 | Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 7 | Win | 5–2 | Carlos Ortiz | KO | 1 (4) | 1977-12-16 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 6 | Loss | 4–2 | Carlos Ortiz | SD | 4 (4) | 1977-11-18 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 4–1 | Horacio Pintado | KO | 1 (?) | 1977-11-03 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 3–1 | Valentin Holguin | PTS | 5 (5) | 1977-10-27 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 2–1 | Davey White | TKO | 2 (6) | 1977-10-19 | Marina Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 2 | Loss | 1–1 | Valentin Holguin | PTS | 4 (4) | 1977-10-13 | Grand Olympic Auditorium,Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Elias Rodriguez | TKO | 3 (6) | 1977-09-23 | Community Center,Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Tribute to Juan Kid Meza".Fight.tv. 21 July 2023.Retrieved22 July2023.
- ^Katz, Michael (28 March 1982)."Gomez Stops Meza in 6th to Retain Title".The New York Times.Retrieved2023-03-18.
- ^"Challenger Guadalupe Pintor, a hard-hitting veteran, won..."Los Angeles Times.19 August 1985.Retrieved2023-03-18.
External links
edit- Boxing record for Juan MezafromBoxRec(registration required)