Rafael Limón

Who is Rafael Limón?

Rafael Limón is a former boxer and two-time Super Featherweight /Jr. Lightweight world champion. A southpaw from Mexico City, he fought with a wild-swinging style yet earned knockouts by wearing opponents out letting them hit him in his iron jaw.

Born on January 13, 1954, Limón is best known for his legendary four-bout rivalry with Bobby Chacon. Their first fight took place on December 7, 1975, in Mexicali, Mexico, Limón defeating a streaking and heavily-favoured Chacon in a ten-round decision.

Negotiations took place in 1977-78 to pit Limón against the WBA's world junior lightweight champion, Samuel Serrano, however the fight never took place.

Limón challenged WBC world junior lightweight champion Alexis Argüello in February 1979, suffering an 11-round knock out. Following this he and Chacon met for the second time, an accidental head-butt resulting in a seven round no contest. The pair met for a third time on March 21, 1980, in Los Angeles, Chacon earning a very controversial 10-round decision.

In spite of this Limón found himself fighting later that year for the world title Arguello had vacated. Limón knocked out Venezuela's Idelphonso Bethelmy in the 15th at Los Angeles to become the WBC world junior lightweight champion.