Israel Contreras
Encyclopedia
Israel Contreras is a former Venezuela
n boxer
who won the World Boxing Association
bantamweight title. He had a supporting role in the Mel Gibson
film Apocalypto
.
by KO in 1986. He later moved up in weight and in 1990 captured the WBO bantamweight title with a TKO over Ray Minus. Contreras vacated the title to fight Luisito Espinosa
for WBA belt in 1991 and won by KO in the 5th. He lost the belt in his first defense to Eddie Cook. He retired in 1995 after a TKO loss to Johnny Vasquez. Contreras collapsed in the hospital after the bout, but recovered.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n 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...
who won the World Boxing Association
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...
bantamweight title. He had a supporting role in the Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
film Apocalypto
Apocalypto
Apocalypto is a 2006 American epic action-adventure film directed by Mel Gibson. Set in Yucatan, Mexico, during the declining period of the Maya civilization, Apocalypto depicts the journey of a Mesoamerican tribesman who must escape human sacrifice and rescue his family after the capture and...
.
Boxing career
Contreras turned professional in 1981 and lost his first title fight to WBA super flyweight title holder Khaosai GalaxyKhaosai Galaxy
Khaosai Galaxy is a former professional Thai super flyweight boxer and Muaythai kickboxer. Khaosai defended his WBA world title 19 times in seven years , winning 16 of his title fights by knockouts. A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame he is widely considered as one of the greatest...
by KO in 1986. He later moved up in weight and in 1990 captured the WBO bantamweight title with a TKO over Ray Minus. Contreras vacated the title to fight Luisito Espinosa
Luisito Espinosa
Luisito Pio Espinosa is a retired boxer from the Philippines who won World titles in two different weight divisions....
for WBA belt in 1991 and won by KO in the 5th. He lost the belt in his first defense to Eddie Cook. He retired in 1995 after a TKO loss to Johnny Vasquez. Contreras collapsed in the hospital after the bout, but recovered.