Carlos Maussa
Encyclopedia
Carlos "El Apóstol" Maussa (born in Montería
, Colombia
on September 24, 1971) is a former professional boxer
and light welterweight
titleholder. Turning pro in 2000, at the age of 29, Maussa won two titles and fought in several significant fights until his retirement at age 38.
Maussa was raised in the Santa Fe neighborhood of Montería, a city located in the banks of the Sinú River
, where he began his impressive amateur career, which ultimately brought him just nine defeats in 130 bouts. Maussa was named National Champion four times and was also crowned the Central American champion. He gained the nickname “The Apostle” by his frequent preaching of the Christian gospel.
In his professional career, while never a superstar fighter, he was a highly-touted "gatekeeper" who helped define the careers of several light welterweight prospects.
before coming to the United States. He then won four bouts in the U.S. before facing highly-touted New York prospect Jeffrey Restorant, described as "perhaps the most-talked-about young pro in New York". In this battle of two undefeated fighters (17-0 Restorant vs. 16-0 Maussa), Resto was unable to deal with Maussa's unorthodox fighting style and abruptly quit in the 6th round, earning Maussa an unexpected victory. Interestingly, both fighters' careers would end half a decade later with a loss to the same fighter, Victor Ortiz
.
Maussa's win over Restorant earned him a shot at fellow 17-0 boxer and WBC International light welterweight titleholder Miguel Angel Cotto. Maussa's fight against Cotto was less successful, resulting in Cotto winning by an 8th round TKO. Following this, Maussa fought in three lower-profile fights, winning two. Then, on 25 June 2005, he entered the popular consciousness of boxing fans with an upset win by KO
against WBA
light-welterweight titlist Vivian Harris
. This exciting victory made Maussa a new champion in one of boxing’s competitive divisions.
The bout was notable for a number of reasons: Harris was an overwhelming favorite and is regarded as one of the best boxers at the weight and Maussa’s awkwardly clever style and frequent clowning gestures and facial expressions lent him an air of amateurishness. At the beginning of the seventh round Maussa delivered a stunning left hook, KO-ing Harris. While Harris lay face-up on the mat, Maussa rushed over the table. The ropes absorbed the impact of the blow. Still, this act has led to much controversy, as the hit could have disqualified Maussa. After the match, however, the bout referees ruled that the late hit was “insignificant”, allowing Maussa to keep his title. When interviewed about this punch, Maussa claimed he didn't connect with Harris on purpose, and that his sole intention was to impress the fallen Harris in case he had any desire to fight on.
The victory cemented Maussa's reputation as somewhat of a gatekeeper for up-and-coming light welterweight prospects, but would end up being his last career victory. On 26 November 2005 Maussa lost his WBA title against IBF
title-holder, Ricky Hatton
, in a unification bout. After a unanimous decision loss to Manuel Guarnica, Maussa fought well-regarded future titleholder Victor Ortiz
, and was knocked out in the first round. Following this, Maussa retired with a professional record of 20 wins and 5 losses in a total of 113 professional rounds of boxing.
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Montería
Montería is a municipality and city located in Northern Colombia and is the capital of the Department of Córdoba. The city is located away from the Caribbean, by the Sinú River. The city and region are famous for their distinct cultural heritages, which include a blend of indigenous Zenú Indians,...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
on September 24, 1971) is a former professional boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
and light welterweight
Light welterweight
-Professional boxing:The light welterweight class is a weight division in professional boxing that has a limit of 63.5 kg or 140 pounds...
titleholder. Turning pro in 2000, at the age of 29, Maussa won two titles and fought in several significant fights until his retirement at age 38.
Maussa was raised in the Santa Fe neighborhood of Montería, a city located in the banks of the Sinú River
Sinú River
Sinú River , is a river in northwestern Colombia that flows mostly through the Córdoba Department and into the Caribbean. The river is the third most important river after the Magdalena River and the Cauca River in the Caribbean Region. It is born in the Antioquia Department, flowing south to north...
, where he began his impressive amateur career, which ultimately brought him just nine defeats in 130 bouts. Maussa was named National Champion four times and was also crowned the Central American champion. He gained the nickname “The Apostle” by his frequent preaching of the Christian gospel.
In his professional career, while never a superstar fighter, he was a highly-touted "gatekeeper" who helped define the careers of several light welterweight prospects.
Notable fights
Maussa began his career with twelve victories in his native ColombiaColombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
before coming to the United States. He then won four bouts in the U.S. before facing highly-touted New York prospect Jeffrey Restorant, described as "perhaps the most-talked-about young pro in New York". In this battle of two undefeated fighters (17-0 Restorant vs. 16-0 Maussa), Resto was unable to deal with Maussa's unorthodox fighting style and abruptly quit in the 6th round, earning Maussa an unexpected victory. Interestingly, both fighters' careers would end half a decade later with a loss to the same fighter, Victor Ortiz
Victor Ortíz
Victor Ortiz is an American professional boxer of Mexican descent and the former WBC welterweight champion.He was previously in the light welterweight division, where he held the USBA & NABO title....
.
Maussa's win over Restorant earned him a shot at fellow 17-0 boxer and WBC International light welterweight titleholder Miguel Angel Cotto. Maussa's fight against Cotto was less successful, resulting in Cotto winning by an 8th round TKO. Following this, Maussa fought in three lower-profile fights, winning two. Then, on 25 June 2005, he entered the popular consciousness of boxing fans with an upset win by KO
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
against WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
light-welterweight titlist Vivian Harris
Vivian Harris
"Vicious" Vivian Harris is a Guyanese professional boxer who was born in Georgetown, Guyana and now resides in Brooklyn, New York...
. This exciting victory made Maussa a new champion in one of boxing’s competitive divisions.
The bout was notable for a number of reasons: Harris was an overwhelming favorite and is regarded as one of the best boxers at the weight and Maussa’s awkwardly clever style and frequent clowning gestures and facial expressions lent him an air of amateurishness. At the beginning of the seventh round Maussa delivered a stunning left hook, KO-ing Harris. While Harris lay face-up on the mat, Maussa rushed over the table. The ropes absorbed the impact of the blow. Still, this act has led to much controversy, as the hit could have disqualified Maussa. After the match, however, the bout referees ruled that the late hit was “insignificant”, allowing Maussa to keep his title. When interviewed about this punch, Maussa claimed he didn't connect with Harris on purpose, and that his sole intention was to impress the fallen Harris in case he had any desire to fight on.
The victory cemented Maussa's reputation as somewhat of a gatekeeper for up-and-coming light welterweight prospects, but would end up being his last career victory. On 26 November 2005 Maussa lost his WBA title against IBF
International Boxing Federation
The International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...
title-holder, Ricky Hatton
Ricky Hatton
Richard John Hatton MBE, more commonly known as Ricky "the Hitman" Hatton, , is a former British professional boxer, and currently a promoter....
, in a unification bout. After a unanimous decision loss to Manuel Guarnica, Maussa fought well-regarded future titleholder Victor Ortiz
Victor Ortíz
Victor Ortiz is an American professional boxer of Mexican descent and the former WBC welterweight champion.He was previously in the light welterweight division, where he held the USBA & NABO title....
, and was knocked out in the first round. Following this, Maussa retired with a professional record of 20 wins and 5 losses in a total of 113 professional rounds of boxing.
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