El Maestro, Former WBC World Flyweight Champion Miguel Canto, Dies at 78
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico (April 19th, 2026)– Mexican boxing legend Miguel Canto Solis, also known as ‘El Maestro’, died of a heart attack in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Canto fought from 1969 to 1982, compiling a professional record of 61-9-4 with 15 knockouts. His first attempt in August 1973 at the vacant World Boxing council Flyweight title against Betulio Gonzalez was unsuccessful, losing by a majority 15-round decision in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Canto won the WBC World Flyweight title in his second attempt by a majority 15-round decision in Sendai, Japan, in January 1975.
Canto fought in 16 consecutive World Boxing Council world flyweight title bouts, all bouts going to decision. After losing and drawing to Chan Hee Park in 1979, Canto had gone 15-2-1 in flyweight world title bouts, with 14 title defenses from 1975 to 1979, with 17 of them going 15 rounds in title bouts, a record which will never be broken as the 15 rounds era is over. After losing and winning by a 10-round decision against Gabriel Bernal in 1981, consecutive knockout losses to Candido Tellez, Alfredo Hernandez, and Rodolfo Ortega in 1981 and 1982, Canto retired. Canto was named to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998, and was named flyweight fighter of the century (along with Pancho Villa) in 1999.
COMMENTS
English