Requiem For A Flyweight, Lorenzo Parra
Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Nobody likes to see an image of a former world champion, washed up and getting hit repeatedly. Lorenzo Parra of Venezuela was once the undefeated World Boxing Association World Flyweight champion at 27-0. He fought in seven flyweight and two super bantamweight world title bouts. Parra, who will turn 40 years old in August 2018, should have retired years ago. His record currently stands at 32-16-2 with 19 knockouts.
His troubles came when he failed to make weight, after a 15 month layoff, and lost his WBA World Flyweight title, getting stopped in the third round by Takafumi Sakata. Parra subsequently fought for the WBA World Bantamweight and World Super Bantamweight titles, getting stopped twice, and drew over 10 rounds in a WBO World Super Bantamweight title eliminator.
Parra has won none of his last 16 fights against experienced fighters in the past seven years, including getting knocked out, stopped, disqualified, even losing a four-round bout by decision in 2017. Six opponents who beat him in recent years combined to be undefeated in their last 50 pro bouts. Parra has lost 12 straight-in effect, taking fights just for the cash.
At 39, Parra has bloated from flyweight to welterweight, where he is only making ring appearances for paychecks. Parra should be retired at this point in his career, as taking bouts without proper preparation for a year in the wrong weight classes will lead to damage. Parra should get out while there is still time, but he should have gotten out years ago. After the limelight fades, there are many fighters who stay on in the ring long past their glory days. Perhaps Lorenzo Parra’s story is not unique, but it still worth telling about.
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