Ossie Ocasio
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Osvaldo "Ossie" Ocasio (born August 12, 1955) is a Puerto Rican former boxer who held the inaugural WBA cruiserweight title from 1982 to 1984. He was also a top heavyweight contender prior to his cruiserweight run. He scored notable wins against former cruiserweight champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi and top heavyweight contenders Jimmy Young (twice) and Pierre Coetzer, as well as drawing with future heavyweight champion Michael Dokes. Nicknamed "Jaws," his peculiar nickname was the result of him accidentally biting another boxer during a sparring session.
Heavyweight contender
Ocasio originally campaigned in the heavyweight division, turning pro in 1976 and putting together ten wins before signing with Don King and making a name for himself outpointing King fighter Kevin Isaac.
In 1978, on the undercard of the Ken Norton vs. Larry Holmes title fight, Ocasio scored a major upset when he outpointed the highly regarded Jimmy Young, who had both outpointed George Foreman and fought Ken Norton to a split decision loss the year prior. In a rematch staged in Puerto Rico, Ocasio underlined his superiority by again outpointing a this time in-shape Young. It was Ocasio's career high in the heavyweight division.
This earned him his only world heavyweight title shot, against Larry Holmes in 1979. Attempting to become the first Hispanic world heavyweight champion, Ocasio was badly outclassed and knocked out in the seventh round.[1][2]
In 1980, he fought red-hot undefeated prospect Michael Dokes to a draw. However, a rematch saw Ocasio surprisingly knocked out in one round. The following year, he traveled to the UK and made little effort against local prospect John L. Gardner, before collapsing without getting hit in the sixth round.
Cruiserweight World Champion
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Ocasio made three successful defenses, winning 15-round decisions over Young Joe Louis and Randy Stephens, appearing on Jet Magazine the week before the Stephens bout,[3] and knocking out John Odhiambo in the 15th round in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. After the bout, Ocasio turned down a fight with British fighter David Pearce, after Morgans Palle had provided contracts to make the fight in the USA, due to the BBBoC not sanctioning the cruiserweight division in the UK. Ocasio eventually decided to return to South Africa, where he lost his title to Piet Crous by a 15-round decision. One month before losing the title, his brother had been murdered.
Ocasio, during his championship run, was able to buy a house in Trujillo Alto, where he maintained a large farm. He also participated in a Puerto Rican movie, playing a slave in the production.
He made a comeback in 1986 and won two fights, including a controversial ten-round majority decision over former world champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Most observers had Qawi winning all ten rounds. He attempted to regain his world championship against Evander Holyfield in Marseille, France, but lost by a knockout in 11 rounds.
Return to Heavyweight
He returned to the heavyweight division in 1988, defeating Pierre Coetzer in South Africa, but losing the decision in a rematch. After this fight, he was relegated to "trial horse" status.
In 1989, he gave Ray Mercer a tough fight, losing an eight-round split decision. In 1990, he dropped decisions to Tyrell Biggs and Bruce Seldon, then travelled to the UK for two fights, losing and being the first opponent to take Lennox Lewis to the distance and scoring an upset when stopping Jess Harding in eight rounds. Ocasio then traveled to Australia, where he was outpointed by the erratic Mike Hunter.[4]
One last comeback in 1992 resulted in a dreary points loss to ex-contender Carl Williams, but it was hard-hitting Mexican–American prospect Alex García who convinced the usually durable Ocasio to retire—he decked Ocasio several times before knocking him out in the eighth.
He retired from boxing with a record of 23 wins, 13 losses, and one draw, with 12 knockout wins. He currently resides in Orlando, Florida.
Professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | Loss | 23–13–1 | Alex Garcia | TKO | 8 (10), 1:59Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Nov 23, 1992 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 36 | Loss | 23–12–1 | Carl Williams | UD | 10 | Aug 20, 1992 | Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 35 | Loss | 23–11–1 | Mike Hunter | UD | 10 | Dec 14, 1990 | Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 34 | Win | 23–10–1 | Jess Harding | RTD | 8 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Oct 3, 1990 | Festival Hall, Basildon, Essex, England, UKScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 33 | Loss | 22–10–1 | Lennox Lewis | PTS | 8 | Jun 27, 1990 | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UKScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 32 | Loss | 22–9–1 | Bruce Seldon | UD | 8 | May 18, 1990 | San Jose, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 31 | Loss | 22–8–1 | Tyrell Biggs | UD | 10 | Jan 11, 1990 | Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 30 | Loss | 22–7–1 | Ray Mercer | SD | 8 | Dec 7, 1989 | Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 29 | Loss | 22–6–1 | Pierre Coetzer | UD | 10 | Nov 26, 1988 | Standard Bank Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 28 | Win | 22–5–1 | Pierre Coetzer | UD | 10 | Mar 6, 1988 | Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 27 | Loss | 21–5–1 | Evander Holyfield | TKO | 11 (15), 1:24Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Aug 15, 1987 | Saint-Tropez, Var, FranceScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For WBA and IBF cruiserweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 26 | Win | 21–4–1 | Dwight Muhammad Qawi | MD | 10 | May 15, 1987 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 25 | Win | 20–4–1 | Narcisco Maldonado | UD | 10 | Mar 23, 1986 | Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 24 | Loss | 19–4–1 | Piet Crous | UD | 15 | Dec 1, 1984 | Superbowl, Sun City, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Lost WBA cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 23 | Win | 19–3–1 | John Odhiambho | TKO | 15 (15), 2:24Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | May 5, 1984 | Mets Pavilion, Guaynabo, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBA cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 22 | Win | 18–3–1 | Randy Stephens | UD | 15 | May 20, 1983 | Dunes Outdoor Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBA cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 21 | Win | 17–3–1 | Eddie Taylor | UD | 15 | Dec 15, 1982 | Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBA cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 20 | Win | 16–3–1 | Robbie Williams | SD | 15 | Feb 13, 1982 | Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won inaugural WBA cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 19 | Loss | 15–3–1 | John L. Gardner | KO | 6 (10), 0:19Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Mar 17, 1981 | Wembley Arena, London, England, UKScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 18 | Win | 15–2–1 | Barry Funches | UD | 10 | Oct 23, 1980 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 17 | Loss | 14–2–1 | Michael Dokes | TKO | 1 (10), 2:33Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jun 28, 1980 | Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 16 | Template:DrawDraw | 14–1–1 | Michael Dokes | SD | 10 | Apr 19, 1980 | Coliseo Pedrin Zorrilla, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 15 | Win | 14–1 | Jack Sterling | TKO | 1 (10), 1:10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Nov 20, 1979 | Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 14 | Loss | 13–1 | Larry Holmes | TKO | 7 (15), 2:38Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Mar 23, 1979 | Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For WBC heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Jimmy Young | UD | 10 | Jan 27, 1979 | Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Jimmy Young | SD | 10 | Jun 9, 1978 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Kevin Isaac | UD | 10 | Apr 8, 1978 | Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel, Bayamón, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Tom Nickson | KO | 4 (6) | Jul 12, 1977 | Orlando Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Frank Schram | TKO | 4 (?) | Jun 25, 1977 | Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel, Bayamón, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Clarence Morris | KO | 2 (6), 1:37Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jun 14, 1977 | Orlando Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Gene Idelette | KO | 1 (?) | Mar 17, 1977 | Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Ed Turner | KO | 2 (?) | Feb 12, 1977 | Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel, Bayamón, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Aaron Solomon | KO | 1 (?) | Aug 16, 1976 | San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Ed Turner | PTS | 8 | Jul 17, 1976 | San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Luis Reins | KO | 1 (?) | Apr 27, 1976 | Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Rafael Guerrero | KO | 2 (?) | Apr 5, 1976 | Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Lorenzo Simons | KO | 3 (?) | Feb 20, 1976 | Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
See also
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References
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