Former World Champion Wilfredo Benitez, 66, Moved to Chicago Hospital Intensive Care

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 Known as ‘The Bible of Boxing’, former World Junior Welterweight, Welterweight and Super Welterweight World champion Wilfredo ‘El Radar’ Benitez, 66, in declining health for years under the care of his late mother, and now his sister Yvonne Benitez, has been moved to the ICU Intensive Care unit of a Chicago hospital, in perhaps the final fight of his life.

 Benitez, 53-8-1 with eight knockouts, Chicago, Illinois, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996. His last official public appearance was at the funeral of Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho in Puerto Rico in 2012.

 Considered one of the best Puerto Rican boxers of all-time, he won his first world title at age 17, on March 6, 1976, winning a 15 round decision over Antonio ‘Kid Pambele’ Cervantes to win the World Boxing Association World Light Welterweight title. In 1990, Benitez attempted a four bout comeback under the guidance of the late trainer Emmanuel Steward, and went 2-2, losing his last bout to Scott Papasodora by 10 round decision in Winnipeg, Canada.

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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].