Brilliant Career of My Friend, Welterweight Gabriel Tito Bracero
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
At almost 39 years old, the brilliant professional career of Brooklyn welterweight Gabriel ‘Tito’ Bracero, my friend, is almost over. At 25-4-1 with six knockouts, Bracero was a brilliant technical fighter, one of the very best, a Carlos Ortiz of the modern era. Despite his technical prowess, Tito fell short of the ability to win the big fight.
In January 2012, Bracero, lost a critical 10 round decision to former World Boxing Organization World Super Lightweight champion DeMarcus ‘Chop-Chop’ Corley in a televised showcase bout-despite Corley having lost six bouts in a row, and having lost eight of his last nine bouts. Down on the canvas in rounds two, three, and five against Corley, Bracero got up to knock down Corley in the eighth. It was not enough to win, though, and cost Bracero his NABF Super Lightweight title. Bracero also lost 10 round decisions to Felix Diaz in 2015, and Paul Malignaggi in 2016. Bracero was inactive for almost a year and a half when he drew with Thomas LaManna in Atlantic City in February 2018.
Though he knocked out Artemio Reyes in a comeback win in July 2018, he was inactive almost 15 months when he got stopped by Ivan Baranchyk at Madison Square Garden on October 5, 2019. It was a vacant World Boxing Association Inter-Continental Super Lightweight title bout. Due to his inactivity, Bracero was not at his best. To see Bracero knocked down and stopped by the towel in the fourth round was irregular. Bracero’s chin was as solid as Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho. His magnificent defensive skills had finally lost to father time. Bracero’s record in regional title bouts was 1-1-2.
Tito, despite his great promise and hard work with noted trainer Tommy Gallagher, never realized his full potential, and never fought for a world title during his 18-year career. It was a bitter end for such a respected fighter. In the end, the lack of punching power against top notch contenders, and long periods of inactivity appeared to be Bracero’s greatest enemy. Tito had the potential to be a power hitter, which he proved against Danny O’Connor (in the rematch) and Artemio Reyes. Other than a brief stretch with noted power trainer John Schaeffer, Tito did not do the advanced type of power training necessary to advance into the world-class contender zone he needed to earn a world title shot. As such, Bracero’s long career fell just short of the mark. After his latest loss, Bracero, who is nearing 40 years of age, should bow out of boxing gracefully in the near future. He had a brilliant career, and did very well, but a world title eluded him.
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