Page "Wilfredo Vázquez" Paragraph 2

Vázquez debuted as a professional on January 29, 1981, training under the guidance of Manny Siaca.

In this contest, he lost to William Ramos by unanimous decision in a four-round fight.

After this fight, he won his first fight, defeating Felix Cortez by knockout in two rounds.

This was followed by a second knockout against Roberto Mercedes, who debuted against Vázquez.

On April 30, 1981, he scored the first draw of his career, in a six-round fight against Eusebio Espinal.

Vázquez's first contest outside of Puerto Rico was against Reinaldo Roque, whom he defeated by knockout in Miami, Florida.

In his next match, he won the first decision of his career scoring a points victory over Herminio Adorno.

Vázquez was scheduled to participate in Don King's Carnival of Champions card, where Gómez and Wilfred Benítez competed, but an injury suffered during training left him out of the event.

In the last fight of this year, he defeated Pedro Alindato by knockout.

On March 3, 1982, Vázquez beat Orlando Perez by points.

He would fight fight more times during this year, all of them in New York City or Las Vegas.

In these fights, Vázquez defeated Ion Trian, Jose Luis Martinez, Sonny Long and Rudy Perez twice.

In 1983, he fought five times, winning every contest by knckout.

His opponents during this time frame were: Euginio Paulino, Andres Torres, Robert Mullins, Ramón Cruz and Pedro Rodriguez.

On March 17, 1984, Vázquez defeated Juan " Chiqui " Torres by knockout in the fourth round to win the vacant Puerto Rican bantamweight title.

This marked the first occasion that he and Gómez fought in the same card.

In his next fight, Vázquez received the first no contest of his career against Julio Guerrero.

He closed the year defeating Javier Barajas and Norgie Castro.

In 1985, Vázquez had a slow year, only fighting twice.

His only contests were against Jeff Whaley and Osvaldo Acevedo, both of whom he defeated by technical knockout.

On February 8, 1986, Vázquez received his first opportunity for a world championship against Miguel " Happy " Lora, who held the World Boxing Council's bantamweight championship.

Vázquez received a knockdown the second round, before scoring one in the fourth round.

After twelve rounds, the judges awarded Lora a unanimous decision.

His next fight was against José " Pambelito " Cervantes, who had fought for the WBC's super bantamweight championship five years earlier.

Vázquez won this contest by knockout in the third round.