Wilfred Benítez

Wilfred Benítez is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer who became the youngest world champion in boxing history at age 17 and went on to win titles in three weight divisions.

On 6 March 1976, aged 17 years and five months, Wilfred Benítez outpointed WBA light-welterweight champion Antonio Cervantes in Puerto Rico to become the youngest world champion in boxing history — a record that still stands five decades later. Renowned for uncanny defensive instincts that earned him the nickname 'El Radar,' Benítez turned professional at just 15, debuting with a first-round knockout in San Juan in 1973. On March 6, 1976, at 17 years and five months old, Benítez travelled to Puerto Rico to challenge WBA light-welterweight champion Antonio Cervantes, a 30-year-old veteran making his eleventh title defence, and outpointed him over 15 rounds in a split decision to become the youngest world champion in the sport's history — a record that still stands five decades later. He defended the title three times before moving up to welterweight, where he won a second title with a split decision over Carlos Palomino in January 1979. Benítez's most famous fight came against Sugar Ray Leonard in November 1979, a closely fought technical battle in which he was stopped with just six seconds remaining in the fifteenth round — the only stoppage loss of his career at that point. He rebuilt by moving up again, and in May 1981, at age 22, he knocked out Maurice Hope to win the WBC light-middleweight title, becoming the youngest fighter ever to win championships in three weight divisions. He successfully defended the title with a win over Roberto Durán before losing it to Thomas Hearns in a gruelling 1982 decision. Benítez retired in 1990 with a record of 53 wins and 8 losses, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996. In later life he suffered from pugilistic dementia linked to his fighting career.

Exceptionally elusive defensive boxer with sharp counter-punching, known for anticipating opponents' shots

Widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive boxers of all time and one of the finest fighters Puerto Rico has produced

• Youngest world champion in boxing history (age 17, 1976)
• WBA light-welterweight champion (1976-1979)
• WBC welterweight champion (1979)
• WBC light-middleweight champion (1981-1982)
• International Boxing Hall of Fame (1996)