Twenty-three years after his glorious ring reign ended, 57-year-old Hilario Zapata has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Class of ’16.
The Panamanian southpaw first entered the ring on October 28, 1977, stopping Victor Lopez by second-round TKO at the Arena de Colon in Colon City, Panama. Fifty-three fights later, on February 27, 1993, “Bujia” left the ring after losing to Sung Kil Moon by first-round TKO at the Olympic Fencing Gymnasium in Seoul, South Korea. Over his 16-year career, Zapata wound up with a record of 43 wins, 14 by knockout, 10 losses, four by knockout, and one draw.
Zapata won his first world title on March 24, 1980, the WBC World light flyweight, by beating Shigeo Nakajima via unanimous decision at Kokugikan in Tokyo. He successfully defended his belt eight times before losing by second-round KO to Amado Ursua at the Gimnasio Nuevo Panama in Panama City on February 6, 1982. He regained the title in his next fight, that July 20, by beating Tadashi Tomori via split decision at Sangyo Hall in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. He twice successfully defended before losing to Jung-Koo Chang by third-round TKO at Chungmu Gymnasium in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 26, 1983. Bujia won the then-vacant WBA World flyweight title by beating Alonzo Gonzalez via unanimous decision at the Gimnasio Nuevo Panama on October 5, 1985. He successfully defended five times before losing to Fidel Bassa by unanimous decision at the Country Club Tennis Stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, on February 13, 1987.
At this past weekend’s ceremony, Zapata thanked “the WBA and Gilberto Mendoza Sr., who I wish could be here today,” as well as “Gilberto Jesus Mendoza for following his dad’s legacy, for supporting me in everything I needed.”
This year’s other inductees in the Modern Category were Hector “Macho” Camacho and Lupe Pintor, as well as Harold Lederman, Marc Ratner, Jerry Izenberg, and Colonel Bob Sheridan. Petey Sarron was inducted in the Old-Timer Category and trainer Whitey Esneault in the Non-Participant Category.
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
