Gabriel Bernal
Encyclopedia
Gabriel Bernal was a retired WBC
Flyweight
Champion. He held the title for 6 months in 1984.
for the WBC and The Ring Flyweight Championships. Bernal would devastate Kobayashi and win by second-round knockout. Two months later, Bernal successfully defended his titles in Nîmes
, France, defeating Antoine Montero by an eleventh-round knockout. This was significant because the previous six WBC Flyweight Champions had all lost their title in their first defence.
Bernal is remembered for his series of fights with Thailand
's Sot Chitalada
. For Bernal's second defense, he went to Bangkok
to face Chitalada. He lost a twelve-round decision on 8 October 1984. Eight months later, Bernal travelled back to Bangkok in an attempt to wrest the title from Chitalada. On 22 June 1985, Bernal fought Chitalada to a draw after twelve rounds, and Chitalada kept the title. Bernal had one more shot eighteen months later, travelling again to Bangkok, where on 10 December 1986 he lost another twelve-round decision to Chitalada. It was his final attempt to win the Flyweight title.
Bernal fought for another six years, but was never the same fighter. On 11 April 1992 he lost a 12-round decision to former WBC Bantamweight
Champion, Miguel Lora. He fought once more before retiring, finishing his career with a record of 43-15-3 and 28 KOs.
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
Flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
Champion. He held the title for 6 months in 1984.
Pro career
Bernal was a top-ten Flyweight contender when he went to Tokyo to face the hometown favorite Koji KobayashiKōji Kobayashi (boxer)
is a retired Japanese boxer who is a former WBC flyweight champion. As of August, 2011, he is Japan's latest world champion who was certified by The Ring.Kobayashi was poor at sports in his childhood. He was a slow runner, and lacked in arm strength...
for the WBC and The Ring Flyweight Championships. Bernal would devastate Kobayashi and win by second-round knockout. Two months later, Bernal successfully defended his titles in Nîmes
Nîmes
Nîmes is the capital of the Gard department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. Nîmes has a rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire, and is a popular tourist destination.-History:...
, France, defeating Antoine Montero by an eleventh-round knockout. This was significant because the previous six WBC Flyweight Champions had all lost their title in their first defence.
Bernal is remembered for his series of fights with Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
's Sot Chitalada
Sot Chitalada
Sot Chitalada in Chonburi, Thailand, was formerly twice WBC Flyweight Champion.Chitalada built a reputation as a Muay Thai in name Chaovalit Sithphrabrahma champion in Thailand before making the transition to professional boxing...
. For Bernal's second defense, he went to Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
to face Chitalada. He lost a twelve-round decision on 8 October 1984. Eight months later, Bernal travelled back to Bangkok in an attempt to wrest the title from Chitalada. On 22 June 1985, Bernal fought Chitalada to a draw after twelve rounds, and Chitalada kept the title. Bernal had one more shot eighteen months later, travelling again to Bangkok, where on 10 December 1986 he lost another twelve-round decision to Chitalada. It was his final attempt to win the Flyweight title.
Bernal fought for another six years, but was never the same fighter. On 11 April 1992 he lost a 12-round decision to former WBC Bantamweight
Bantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...
Champion, Miguel Lora. He fought once more before retiring, finishing his career with a record of 43-15-3 and 28 KOs.