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09/09/2005
All-time great Nicolino Loche has passed away at the age of 66. Probably one of the three greatest boxers ever to come from Argentina (behind only Carlos Monzon and Pascual Perez), Loche logged a spectacular 117-4-14 record in a career that spanned from 1958 through 1976. Loche won domestic and South American lightweight titles but had to wait until his tenth year as a pro for a world title shot. he made the most of it, knocking out WBA junior welterweight titlist Takeshi Fuji in Japan in 1968. His reign would last until 1972. In 1971, he defeated Antonio Cervantes over fifteen rounds. Cervantes would go on to become a two-time champion and avenge the loss to Loche in 1973. Loche lost his title in a 1972 loss to Alfonso Frazer. After the loss to Cervantes, Loche went on to win seven more bouts before retiring. Boxingtalk joins Loche's many fans in expressing sympathy to Loche's family and friends. --Scott Shaffer
