Boxing News
Esteban De Jesus - A
Tragic Story
February 19th, 2010
Jim Amato
If ever a boxer was a
victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, it was Puerto Rico's
Esteban De Jesus. This former one time claimant of the W.B.C. lightweight title
may have been the best Puerto Rican 135 pounder since Carlos Ortiz.
Unfortunately he boxed during the era of possibly the greatest of all
lightweights, Roberto Duran. This occurred on November 17, 1972 at Madison
Square Garden. Esteban floored Duran in the first round and then boxed his way
to a decision win in a non-title bout. Then he twice whipped the respected Ray
Lampkin in bouts for the American Lightweight title thus establishing himself
as the top contender.
On his way to his first meeting with Duran, Esteban had lost just once and that
was to W.B.A. featherweight champion Antonio Gomez in a non-title fight. He Boxing
News defeated Josque Marquez
twice, Victor Ortiz, Lionel Hernandez, Percy Hayles, Angel Robinson, and
Cleveland's Chuck Wilburn. After his victory over Duran, Estsban defeated the
classy Johnny Gant and former junior welterweight titleholder, Alfonso Frazier.
These victories finally set up a title shot against Duran. On March 16, 1974 in
Panama City, Esteban again decked Duran in the first round. this time though
Roberto was in much better condition and he gradually wore down his formidable
foe stopping Esteban in round eleven.
One year later De Jesus moved up in weight and challenged Antonio Cervantes for
the junior welterweight championship. Once again Esteban faded down the stretch
as he dropped a fifteen round decision. Again one year later De Jesus received
yet another title opportunity. He was matched with W.B.C. lightweight champion
Guts Suzuki. Showing his true class Esteban Dominated Suzuki to win an easy
decision and the crown. De Jesus would defend his title successfully three
times thus setting up the rubber match with Duran for the undisputed title.
Duran v De Jesus III was held in Las Vegas and this much anticipated Superfight
would determine once and for all who was the world's best lightweight. In
possibly the best performance of his career Duran proved his superiority
halting Estsban in round twelve. De Jesus would come back and Boxing
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put together another win streak that included a victory over Edwin Viruet. Once more De Jesus was granted a title shot. This time he would meet W.B.C. junior welterweight champion Saoul Mamby. The bout took place on July 7, 1980 and the signs of Esteban's obviously eroding skills were there for all to see. Mamby finally halted an exhausted and outclassed De Jesus in round thirteen. The final chapter in this fine, but yet tragic career. Roy Jones Jr
Esteban would never gain full acceptance as
lightweight champion although only the great Duran could master him. Esteban's
final ledger is as follows; 62 bouts, 57 victories, and only 5 defeats. He
scored 32 knockouts and he was stopped 3 times. All of his setbacks were to
world champions, Gomez, Duran twice, Cervantes, and Mamby.
The bad luck that dogged Esteban's career was only an omen of things to come.
Not long after his retirement Esteban was involved in a traffic dispute during
which he shot and killed a seventeen year old youth. For this crime De Jesus
was sentenced to life in prison. While in prison De Jesus was infected with
AIDS. Bedridden and dying Esteban received a surprise visit from none other then
his old adversary, Roberto Duran. In a moment of compassion completely out of
character for the mean and macho Duran, he had come to pay his respects. He had
come to show his admiration for his toughest foe. He also knew in his heart
that Esteban was a true champion. fight news