RAFAEL PINEDA

Rafael Pineda was really a good fighter, a former champion who most fans remember as being outclassed by a prime Pernell Whitaker (who wasn't back then). In reality Pineda was a contender from the late 80's to 2004. Rafael was a dangerous fighter !Pineda turned pro in 1986 and won his first 20 fights. In 1989 he suffered his first loss. He was stopped in five rounds by Mark Breland for the WBA welterweight title. Pineda claimed he was thumbed and refused to continue. Rafael then won six straight and in 1991 he challenged Roger Mayweather for the IBF light welterweight title. In an upset, Pineda destroyed Roger in the ninth round. Rafael would make one defense before his 1992 loss to Whitaker.Pineda was out of the ring for four years but upon returning he won five straight before losing in 1999 to Emmett Linton.Rafael scored a big upset in 2001 when he halted the respected Oba Carr in six. In 2002 Pineda lost a seven round technical decision to Cory Spinks due to a accidental head butt. In 2004 Rafael lost a split decision to Zab Judah in a WBO welterweight eliminator. That was his last fight. He was a world class fighter till the end. Rafael retired with a very respectable 38-6 record. This powerful right hand bomber scored 31 knockouts. He was only stopped once.

Jim Amato