The night of January 7, this year that the Yugoslav boxing fan will rememer for all times. The light heavyweight title (WBC) changed hands. The clock reached 2:43 of the ninth round when a crashing Parlov left cross dumped Miguel Angel Cuello, Argentina, to the canvas where he lay on his stomach as if dead, not moving a muscle.
The world got a new claimant of the light heavyweight title. Mate Parlov became the first man in ring history from an eastern Euroepan socialist state to win a professioanl world championship.
Parlo had said to this Ring reporter over a year ago, “In any case I'll come out as the next light heavyweight champion of the world.”
The former contender kept his word.
One the day before the title fight, defending champ Cuello was proclaiming, “I'm going to destroy Parlov!”
But 29 year old ugoslav had a fair lead for the first seven rounds, scoring with his long right hand leads and periodial left job. Cuello started to come on in round seven, when Parlov was in trouble.
During the first five sessions the shorter Mexican seldom tossed positive rallies, but hit back well timed straight rights whenever Oguma stepped in with strong one twos at Canto's bread basket.
“Don't take that step!” shouted Cuello's countryman Carlos Monzon, sounding surprised. Monzon's warning was justified. Parlov opened up with a barrage of rights and lefts to the head in round nine, and down went the king before the 8,000 spectators in the Palasport. At the count of seven, Cuello made a desperate attempt to regain his feet, but he toppled again.
It was the first time in Cuello's pro career that he had been kocked out. Never beaten, the 31 year old Argentinian had had 21 bouts and 21 wins (20 by ko).
“I was faster. My jab was better,” explained Parlov, who scored his 11th knockout in 20 victories with one loss and one decking in his professional career.
MIGUEL ANGEL CUELLO BOXING CAREER DVDS
CARLOS MONZON BOXING CAREER DVDS
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