Esteban de Jesús

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Template wrapper".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".

Esteban de Jesús (August 2, 1950 – May 11, 1989) was a Puerto Rican world lightweight champion boxer. De Jesús, a native of the town of Carolina, Puerto Rico, was a gymmate of Wilfred Benítez and was trained by Benitez's father, Gregorio Benitez. He was the first boxer to defeat Roberto Durán as a pro, and the only fighter to defeat Duran during his lightweight reign. His career was mired in controversy, problems, and scandals.

Professional career

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". De Jesús debuted as a professional in 1969, he won his first twenty fights, thirteen by knockout. He then stepped up in class, for the first time, when he boxed future world title challenger Josue Marquez in 1971, beating him in a twelve-round decision to claim the Puerto Rican national Lightweight championship.. His next fight was a fourth-round knockout victory over Victor Ortíz. After that, there was a rematch with Marquez, who was beaten again, also over twelve rounds, to retain the Puerto Rican Lightweight title.

Next came his first international fight, in Caracas, Venezuela, against the future four-time world title challenger Leonel Hernandez. De Jesús won the ten round fight by unanimous decision in what was the start of a four fight tour of Venezuela. That Venezuelan campaign ended with a ten-round decision loss against former world champion Antonio Gomez in Caracas.

1972 was a pivotal year in de Jesús' career. He won six fights in a row, including a twelve-round knockout win in a third fight with Marquez to again retain the Puerto Rican Lightweight title, and a ten-round decision over Doug McClendon. Despite all the wins, he was virtually unknown to most boxing fans. That changed quickly in his last fight of 1972 against the undefeated new world's Lightweight champion Roberto Durán at the Madison Square Garden arena. In a televised bout that marked the beginning of the "Durán - de Jesús trilogy", de Jesús dropped Durán in round one and went on to inflict Durán's first defeat in a ten-round decision.[1][2]

In 1973, he was rewarded for his efforts, receiving a chance to challenge Ray Lampkin for the North American Boxing Federation lightweight belt. He won the vacant title by beating Lampkin in a twelve-round decision. He went on to beat Johnny Gant and Raul Montoya in ten-round decisions and beat Lampkin by decision in a rematch in New York. He finished 1973 with a first-round knockout win over fringe contender Al Foster.

He began 1974 by knocking out former world Jr. Welterweight champion Alfonso "Peppermint" Frazer in ten rounds in San Juan, Puerto Rico, after which he traveled to Panama City to receive his first world title shot and, at the same time, face Durán in the second fight of their trilogy. He once again dropped Durán in round one, but this time Durán rebounded and dominated the bout, retaining the title in an eleventh-round knockout. He recovered from that defeat with two more wins before the end of the year.

In 1975, he went up in weight briefly, and after beating Jesse Lara by a knockout in three, he returned to Panama City to challenge Colombia's Antonio Cervantes for the world's Jr. Welterweight title, losing in a fifteen-round decision. He beat Rudy Barros by knockout in round five to end that year, and started 1976 by beating Valentin Ramos by knockout in round two.

Next came his third world title try when the WBC's world Lightweight champion Ishimatsu Suzuki of Japan traveled to Puerto Rico to defend his title against de Jesús. The third time proved to be the charm for de Jesús, who won the world title by beating Suzuki in a fifteen-round decision. He retained the title against Hector Medina with a knockout in round seven.

De Jesús admitted publicly to using drugs during his boxing career.[3][4] He began using cocaine and heroin early in his boxing career with an older brother, Enrique.[3]

In 1977, he retained the title against Buzzsaw Yamabe by knockout in round six and against Vicente Mijares Saldivar by knockout in round eleven.

1978 began with the third and final chapter of his trilogy with Durán. In a title unification bout in Las Vegas, which displayed Durán at the peak of his power, Durán systematically broke down de Jesús resulting in a twelfth-round knockout.

De Jesús rebounded with three wins before the end of that year, including one over former world title challenger Edwin Viruet.

In 1979, he had two more wins, including one over Jimmy Blevins. After beating José Vallejo by a knockout in round seven in San Juan to start 1980, he traveled to Bloomington, Minnesota, to challenge Saoul Mamby for Mamby's WBC world Jr. Welterweight title, in the major supporting event of the Larry Holmes-Scott Le Doux world heavyweight championship bout's undercard. In what turned out to be his last fight, he was beaten by a knockout in thirteen rounds.

His record was 57 wins and 5 losses, with 32 wins by knockout.

Professional boxing record

Template:BoxingRecordSummary

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
62 Loss 57–5 Saoul Mamby TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 13 (15)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1980-07-07Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For WBC super lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
61 Win 57–4 José Vallejo KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 7 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1980-05-10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
60 Win 56–4 Ruby Ortiz UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1979-11-09Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
59 Win 55–4 Jimmy Blevins UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1979-10-04Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
58 Win 54–4 Edwin Viruet SDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1978-10-27Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
57 Win 53–4 Chuchu Hernandez TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1978-07-08Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
56 Win 52–4 Pablo Baez TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1978-06-03Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
55 Loss 51–4 Roberto Durán TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 12 (15)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1978-01-21Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lost WBC/WBA/The Ring lightweight unification matchScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
54 Win 51–3 James Brackett PTSScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1977-09-10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
53 Win 50–3 Vicente Mijares KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 11 (15)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1977-06-25Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamon, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBC lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
52 Win 49–3 Buzzsaw Yamabe TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 6 (15)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1977-02-12Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamon, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBC lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
51 Win 48–3 Hector Julio Medina KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 7 (15)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1976-09-10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamon, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBC lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
50 Win 47–3 Guts Ishimatsu UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 15 (15)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1976-05-08Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamon, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won WBC lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
49 Win 46–3 Valente Ramos TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1976-03-06Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
48 Win 45–3 Rudy Barro TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1975-10-11Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
47 Loss 44–3 Antonio Cervantes UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 15 (15)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1975-05-17Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, PanamaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For WBA super lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
46 Win 44–2 Jesse Lara KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1975-03-15Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". El Poliedro, Caracas, VenezuelaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
45 Win 43–2 Javier Ayala PTSScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1974-09-02Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
44 Win 42–2 Gerardo Ferrat TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1974-06-10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
43 Loss 41–2 Roberto Durán KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 11 (15)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1974-03-16Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, PanamaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For WBA lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
42 Win 41–1 Alfonso Frazer KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1974-01-07Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
41 Win 40–1 Al Foster KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1973-11-22Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
40 Win 39–1 Miguel Mayan PTSScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1973-10-29Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
39 Win 38–1 Radames Checo KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1 (12)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1973-09-08Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, PanamaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
38 Win 37–1 Ray Lampkin UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 12 (12)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1973-07-14Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained NABF lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
37 Win 36–1 Raul Montoya PTSScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1973-05-21Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
36 Win 35–1 Johnny Gant UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1973-04-16Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
35 Win 34–1 Ray Lampkin UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 12 (12)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1973-02-16Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won vacant NABF lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
34 Win 33–1 Roberto Durán UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1972-11-17Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
33 Win 32–1 Doc McClendon PTSScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1972-10-30Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
32 Win 31–1 Raimundo Dias PTSScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1972-09-18Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
31 Win 30–1 Chuck Wilburn UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1972-07-28Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
30 Win 29–1 Angel Robinson Garcia PTSScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1972-07-08Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
29 Win 28–1 Josue Marquez TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 12 (12)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1972-05-01Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained Puerto Rican lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
28 Win 27–1 George Foster TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 8 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1972-04-10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
27 Win 26–1 Percy Hayles UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1972-02-18Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
26 Win 25–1 Milton Mendez KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1971-11-30Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Caracas, VenezuelaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
25 Win 24–1 Johnny Harp UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1971-11-19Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Parque Isidoro García, Mayaguez, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
24 Win 23–1 Frank Leroy KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1971-10-30Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". La Cancha Country Club, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
23 Win 22–1 Josue Marquez UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 12 (12)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1971-09-04Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained Puerto Rican lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
22 Win 21–1 Victor Ortiz TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1971-08-07Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
21 Win 20–1 Josue Marquez PTSScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 12 (12)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1971-07-24Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won Puerto Rican lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
20 Win 19–1 Armando Mendoza TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 6 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1971-06-05Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Nuevo Circo, Caracas, VenezuelaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
19 Win 18–1 Leonel Hernandez UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1971-05-03Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Palacio de Deportes, Caracas, VenezuelaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
18 Win 17–1 Gustavo Briceno UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1971-04-24Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". La Cancha Country Club, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
17 Loss 16–1 Antonio Gómez UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1971-02-27Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Nuevo Circo, Caracas, VenezuelaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
16 Win 16–0 Jose Llanos KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 7 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1970-10-24Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
15 Win 15–0 Johnny Sandoval UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1970-08-22Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". La Cancha Country Club, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
14 Win 14–0 Jose Jimenez TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1970-07-30Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
13 Win 13–0 Coverly Kid Daniels KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1970-05-20Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Parque Isidoro García, Mayaguez, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
12 Win 12–0 Ike Estrada KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1970-05-02Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". La Cancha Country Club, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
11 Win 11–0 Jose Jimenez PTSScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1970-04-30Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Ponce, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
10 Win 10–0 Bobby Parnell TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1970-03-28Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". La Cancha Country Club, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
9 Win 9–0 Braulio Rodriguez TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 8 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1970-02-28Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". La Cancha Country Club, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
8 Win 8–0 Chino Guerrero TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1970-02-14Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". La Cancha Country Club, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
7 Win 7–0 Ramon Dominguez TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1970-01-24Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". La Cancha Country Club, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
6 Win 6–0 Ivelaw Eastman KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5 (6)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1969-11-22Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Country Club Stadium, Carolina, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
5 Win 5–0 Tommy Sheffield TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2 (6)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1969-10-18Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
4 Win 4–0 Ramon Montes TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1 (6)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1969-09-27Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". La Cancha Country Club, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
3 Win 3–0 Johnny Sandoval UDScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 6 (6)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1969-08-23Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". La Cancha Country Club, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2 Win 2–0 Francisco Maldonado KOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3 (6)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1969-08-02Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". La Cancha Country Club, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1 Win 1–0 Braulio Rodriguez TKOScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4 (4)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1969-07-19Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Crime, commuted sentence and death

On November 27, 1980, in what became a famous case in Puerto Rico, after having injected himself with cocaine, de Jesús was involved in a traffic dispute with 17-year-old Roberto Cintron Gonzalez, which ended in de Jesús fatally shooting Gonzalez in the head.[3] De Jesús was sentenced to life in prison. There, he excelled in another sport, baseball, making the Puerto Rico penal system all star team three times. In 1984, he became a born-again Christian and started to turn his life around, becoming a preacher.

In 1985, he learned that his brother Enrique, with whom he had shared needles, had died of AIDS. De Jesús tested positive for the virus, and symptoms began to appear.[3] After it became public knowledge that de Jesús had acquired HIV and had become a sufferer of AIDS, governor Rafael Hernández Colón commuted his sentence.

After returning to spend his last days with his family, de Jesús was visited by many celebrities, including hall of fame baseball player Orlando Cepeda, Salsa music superstar Cheo Feliciano and his old nemesis Roberto Durán. Durán hugged and kissed de Jesús and told his daughter to do the same. This event was witnessed by José Torres who said he was amazed to see Durán's compassionate gesture as he lifted de Jesús out of his bed and hugged him at a time when so little was known and so much feared about AIDS.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Esteban de Jesús died one month after being released, at the age of 38.

See also

Script error: No such module "Portal".

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Template:S-text
Sporting positions

Template:S-text

Vacant
Title last held by
Chango Carmona 		NABF lightweight champion
February 16, 1973 – 1973
Vacated Template:S-ttl/check 		Vacant
Title next held by
Ray Lampkin

Template:S-text

Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check WBC lightweight champion
May 8, 1976 – January 21, 1978 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check Latest born world champion to die
May 12, 1989 – December 1, 1997 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
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