Some records in boxing may never be beaten. With the likes of Floyd Mayweather’s 50-0 record to Manny Pacquaio winning world titles in eight weight divisions.
In a sport that has as much history as boxing does, earning a significant record can truly make you an icon.
Some examples of this include Rocky Marciano retiring as the only undefeated heavyweight champion, or George Foreman winning the world title at 45 years old.
Although records are made to be broken, some are easier to claim than others. One record that may never be beaten is the youngest age to win a world title, which was done at just 17 years of age.
Wilfred Benitez won the world title at just 17 years old
Puerto Rican legend Wilfred Benitez retired in 1990 with a professional record of 53-8-1. However, his story is much more than just his final career tally.
Starting his professional boxing career in 1973, Benitez was just 15 when he won his debut via first-round TKO. Less than three years later, ‘El Radar’ found himself fighting for a world title.
Despite only being 17 years old on fight night, Benitez had accumulated 25 wins in just two-and-a-half years. This impressive run would lead him to Antonio Cervantes in March 1976.
Cervantes was the WBA World Super Lightweight champion and had held the belt since 1972. When he faced Benitez, he had a professional record of 50-9-1 and was 30 years old.
The pair would fight in Benitez’s hometown of San Juan in Puerto Rico, with ‘El Radar’ making history.
The bout would end in a split decision. However, it would be the teenager who emerged as the victor after 15 hard-fought rounds.
The win would make Benitez the youngest-ever world champion at 17, a feat that has not since been beaten.
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Wilfred Benitez would fight the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran
Winning the world title at such a young age, Benitez would go on to have a prolific and successful career. Following his win over Cervantes, he would defend the WBA World Super Lightweight title twice before making a move to welterweight in 1979.
Then, he would defeat Carlos Palomino via split decision, to become the WBC World Welterweight champion. Aged just 20, Benitez had already become a two-division champion.
After making his first title defense, Benitez would be paired up with ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard. A 23-year-old Leonard went into the bout with a 25-0 record, fresh off a knockout win over Andy Price.
Despite Leonard saying Benitez made him miss a significant amount of his punches, he would be able to end the bout in round 15. A final-round knockout for Leonard would make him champion as Benitez tasted defeat for the first time.
Although Benitez was defeated, he would string together three wins off the back of his loss to earn a shot at the WBC World Super Welterweight title. Defeating Maurice Hope via knockout, the Puerto Rican was now a three-division champion.
Again, for his second title defense, he would face an all-time great. Coming up against Roberto Duran, the 74-2 fighter was one of his most experienced opponents to date.
However, Benitez was able to get the better of the former ‘Fighter of the Century,‘ winning via unanimous decision.
The bout against Duran would be the final time Benitez won as a champion. Aiming to make a third defense of his title, he would face his second loss to Thomas Hearns.
As Hearns beat the youngest-ever world champion by majority decision, Benitez would not claim another title in his career.
‘El Radar’ retired after his final bout in 1990, aged 32. He was defeated by Scott Papasodora as the two competed in Winnipeg, Canada.