The masterpiece| Boxing History

December 12, 1968, Tokyo, Japan

The 29-year-old Argentine legend would face WBA champion Paul Fuji. The American of Japanese descent is a true 28-year-old knocker, who at the time held a record of [31 (25KO) -3]. Among his only three defeats, the most significant undoubtedly is that of his defense against Mendoza, where the world could appreciate the purest state of professional boxing.

That night, Nicolino Locche played with the concept of boxing, in a time of wild fights. One was where if Nicolino's name weren't enough, he too was prowling the name of a certain Willie Pep. Both considered the best defensive boxers in history. However, that night Nicolino prepared like never before and delighted everyone with his talent, but now at the highest and most beautiful level of him.

Styles make fights, and the reality is that Fuji was a dangerous striker, but with openings and an aggressive style that Locche knew how to take advantage of to perfection. Somehow, the local cross were the ink that the visitor himself applied on him, in order to start drawing on the ring. While visiting, the Argentine never wavered before the lights of Tokyo. At no point in the fight did he look out of his mind, bewildered, under pressure, he just made it look like one more fight, but it wasn't.

The challenger kept the distance neatly in all rounds. Lunges on the ropes were allowed, like a bull falling into a red flag, Nicolino moved and connected with the left hooks. He came in and did the job, no more and no less. The Argentine used every factor in the fight against Fuji; the pressure, the fatigue, the distance, the defense of him, the counter-blow, the physical condition. A fight where Nicolino did not run anywhere, he never avoided combat and exchange, this last element was the most important brush of him.

It is in the middle of the exchange and in the short distance where Nicolino sharpens his reflexes and defends himself as if he were an elastic man. Perfect blocks and waist rotations, which dismantled Fuji's boxing, to the point of causing a fall due to imbalance, caused by Locche's feints and speed. As if that were not enough, the corner of the Japanese throws in the towel in the tenth round.

A victory by decision is worthy, one by impressive KO, but to bend your opponent to the point of throwing in the towel, is simply setting the level, surrender is a crushing victory in boxing. Nicolino Locche reaches the peak of his career with a demonstration like that, and thus is consecrated World Champion by the World Boxing Association

Hitting and not getting hit, that concept is both the seed and the sweet science of boxing. All boxers are based on this idea, but in the course of their pugilistic evolution, their balance leans more to one side or the other; defense and offense. It is not crazy to say that "The Untouchable", he found the perfect balance, that rainy night in the land of the rising sun. A prolific performance from one of the greatest boxers of all time.

Nicolino "The Untouchable" Locche. (117 (14KO) -4-14).