Juan Zurita Explained

Juan Zurita
Realname:Juan Bautista Zurita Ferrer
Nickname:Zurita III
Weight:Lightweight
Height:1.68 m
Reach:1.68 m
Nationality: Mexican
Birth Date:1917 5, mf=yes
Birth Place:Veracruz, Mexico
Death Place:Mexico City, Mexico
Style:Southpaw
Total:155
Wins:131
Ko:48
Losses:23
Draws:1

Juan Zurita (2 May 1917 – 24 March 2000) was a Mexican professional boxer in the lightweight division and a 1944 National Boxing Association Lightweight world champion.[1] [2] [3] Zurita was a southpaw or left handed boxer, who often fought with his right foot forward, though at times he could lead with his right as well. American newspapers distinguished him as the first native-born Mexican to win a world boxing title.[4]

Early life and career

Zurita was born on May 2, 1917, near Veracruz, Mexico on the Atlantic Coast. He began fighting professionally in early 1932,at the tender age of 14 and a half, on the Western Mexican coast in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

Taking the Featherweight Championship of Mexico, February 1934

Early in his career, Zurita won the Featherweight Championship of Mexico, defeating Joe Conde on February 24, 1934, in a twelve round points decision for the title. He defeated Joe Conde again in a rematch for the Featherweight Championship on March 11, 1939, in a twelve round points decision at the Arena Mexico in Mexico City.

On January 4, 1935, Zurita defeated Pablo Dano in a ten round points decision at Legion Stadium in Hollywood, California. Zurita took four rounds, Dano three, and three were even. Zurita took the first four rounds according to the Los Angeles Times and finished strong in the final round. The win was significant for Zurita as Dano was the more experienced boxer and favored in the early betting.[5]

On February 15, 1936, Zurita defeated Californian boxer Georgie Hansford in a fifth round knockout in Mexico City.[6]

Bouts with former World Flyweight Champion Midget Wolgast, 1935–36

On March 28, 1936, he defeated American boxer Midget Wolgast at the Arena Nacional in Mexico City in a fifth round knockout. Zurita sent Wolgast to the mat for a count of nine in the fifth, before finishing him shortly after for a full count with a left to the stomach and a right to the chin.[7] On July 24, 1936, Zurita defeated Wolgast again in a ten round points decision at Legion Stadium in Hollywood, California. Zurita forced the fighting through the entire bout and had the cleaner and more effective punches. There were no knockdowns in the bout. The referee gave eight rounds to Zurita, and two to Wolgast, though Braven Dyer of the Los Angeles Times felt the fight was a bit closer. Zurita seemed strongest in the closing rounds.[8] [9] He had lost to Wolgast three times previously in 1935, on February 21, May 21, and June 28 in ten round points decisions, first in Los Angeles and then twice at Legion Stadium in Hollywood. Wolgast had formerly held the World Flyweight Title in July 1931, and had contended unsuccessfully for the World Bantamweight Title.

On August 18, 1936, Zurita lost to exceptional Black boxer Henry Armstrong in a fourth round knockout at Olympic Stadium in Los Angeles. At the time, Armstrong held the California version of the World Featherweight Title. Zurita probably carried the first two round on points with a furious attack. In the bottom of the third, Armstrong had found his range and made a number of effective blows to the head of Zurita that had him groggy.[10] In his career, Armstrong would also hold the World Welterweight Championship. Zurita lost again to Armstrong on October 13, 1942, in a second round knockout at Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. The final blow was a right to the chin 2:20 into the second. The final blow was a left hook followed by a right cross, 2:20 into the second, and was the only knockdown in the bout.[11] By their last bout in October 1942, Armstrong had taken world titles in both the Welterweight and Lightweight divisions.

On January 1, 1937, Zurita defeated Spanish boxer Baltasar Sangchili in a ten round points decision in Mexico City. In June 1935, Sangchili had taken the IBU World Bantamweight Title in Valencia, Spain, and had taken the World Bantamweight Championship in the same year.[2]

Zurita defeated New York based Puerto-Rican born Koli Kolo around June 1, 1938, in a fourth round knockout in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico. The exact date of the bout remains unknown, and may have occurred the month earlier.[2]

On June 18, 1938, Zurita defeated talented Mexican boxer Rodolfo "Baby" Casanova in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in a sixth round Technical Knockout. It was Zurita's only win against Casanova. On August 20, 1938, Zurita would lose to Casonova in a sixth round technical knockout in Mexico City. In four earlier meetings with Casanova, in a Mexican Featherweight Title match on September 15, 1934, and in matches in April 1935, April 1936, and June 1937, Zurita would lose. Though each boxer was close in height and very close in reach, Zurita did not seem to match up well with Casanova who was two years older and may have benefited from two extra years in age. By September 1934, Casanova had taken the Mexican Featherweight Championship, and had scored seven successful defenses of the title.[2]

Mid-career as a professional

Taking the Mexican Lightweight Title, September 1938

Zurita first took the Mexican Lightweight Title on September 10, 1938, against Joe Conde in a twelve round points decision at the Arena in Mexico City, though few if any American newspapers covered the story.[2]

On May 15, 1939, Zurita first defeated Jimmy Hatcher in a ten round decision at the Walkathon Theater in San Antonio, Texas. He defeated Hatcher again on September 11, 1942, in a second round technical knockout at Legion Stadium in Hollywood. The bout was stopped by the referee thirty seconds into the second round after Hatcher received a long cut on his forehead. The loss ended Hatcher's string of nineteen straight wins.[2] [12]

On July 21, 1940, Zurita defeated Speedy Dado in a fifth round technical knockout at the Arena Progreso at Jalisco, Mexico. Dado was a talented Philippines-born boxer who would take the USA California State Bantamweight Title in October 1933, and later compete unsuccessfully for the World Bantamweight Title in May 1935.[2]

On May 17, 1941, Zurita defeated Carlos Miranda in a third round knockout in Mexico City.[2]

On November 14, 1941, Zurita defeated George Latka in a ten round points decision at Legion Stadium in Hollywood, California. Twice in the second and once in the tenth Zurita scored against Latka with strong blows. Zurita started on the aggressive, and though the middle rounds were close, Zurita probably always led in points.[2] [13]

On July 24, 1942, Zurita defeated Richie Lemos at Hollywood's Legion Stadium in a ten round points decision.[2] Lemos went to his corner groggy at the end of the third and fifth rounds, and may have taken eight rounds.[14] Paul Lowry of the Los Angeles Times gave Zurita every round. Zurita skillfully evaded the blows of Lemos with cunning, and landed left hooks to the body and rights and lefts to the head of Lemos throughout the bout.[15]

On August 19, 1942, Zurita defeated Black boxer Henry Woods in a ten round points decision at the Auditorium in Oakland, California. Woods was down for a nine count in the third round from a powerful left to the body by Zurita. Ringsiders gave Zurita seven of the ten rounds. Woods held his own in the fourth and fifth, but Zurita finished strong in the final rounds.[16]

Taking the NBA World Lightweight Title, March 8, 1944

Zurita won the NBA World Lightweight Title on March 8, 1944, against Sammy Angott in a fifteen round unanimous decision at Gilmore Field, the Hollywood Ball Park, in Los Angeles, California.[2] Zurita became the first Mexican to win the World Lightweight Championship in a bit of an upset victory that saw Angott as a 4 to 1 favorite. It was Angott's first loss in the lightweight class. Zurita skillfully blocked Angott's left hooks and uppercuts and scored with counter punches to the body, though Angott appeared tired and haggard from having to make the lightweight limit. Angott won only the first round when Zurita appeared puzzled by his style, but the remaining fourteen rounds went to Zurita by a comfortable and decisive margin. The crowd of 11,300 was not pleased by what they viewed as a somewhat lackluster performance, though Zurita held his edge throughout the bout. Angott, perhaps as a result of his fatigue, was off on his timing, and had trouble landing solid punches. Angott's future in the ring was questionable after the loss.[17] [18]

Loss in non-title bout with Beau Jack, March 31, 1944

Immediately after taking the World Lightweight Title, Zurita lost to the great American Black boxer Beau Jack on March 31, 1944, at New York's Madison Square Garden in a ten round points decision. The great promoter Mike Jacobs signed Zurita to the bout, which must have been a financial success.[19] Zurita faded after the fifth round, and was given only three rounds to seven for Jack by the United Press. The Mexican champion looked strong in the tenth, and took the round. There was a capacity crowd of 17,593 fans to watch the bout who were hoping for more action in the early rounds. Jack, a popular favorite, held the NYSAC Lightweight Championship at the time of the bout, which may have accounted for the size of the crowd.[20] [21]

Win over Pete Lello after seven month break from boxing, October 1944

On October 6, 1944, Zurita defeated Pete Lello in a second round knockout at the Arena Coliseo in Mexico City. Atypically the blow that ended the fight was a terrific uppercut to the body of Lello in the opening seconds of the second round. A crowd of 20,000 saw the bout in the bullring.[22] [23] The bout was Zurita's first after a seven month layoff from boxing to recover from accidentally shooting himself in the hand around June.[24]

On October 18, 1944, Zurita knocked out Aldo Spoldi, European Lightweight Champion, in the fourth round at Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio, Texas. In the main event before a crowd of 5000, a hard right to the face put Spoldi down for a count of nine. After arising, Zurita put Spoldi down for the full count.[25]

Losing the NBA Lightweight World Championship against Ike Williams, April 1945

Zurita lost the NBA World Lightweight Championship before a crowd of 35,000 by a second round knockout from Black New Jersey boxer Ike Williams in Mexico City on April 18, 1945.[2] Their first planned meeting in Philadelphia had to be cancelled by the Pennsylvania Boxing Commission who recognized Bob Montgomery as the lightweight champion. Williams made a two fisted attack to the head of Zurita in the second which Zurita could not hold off, though he had made an effective defense in the first round. It was Zurita's first title defense. Shortly after Zurita was counted out, Williams' corner was crowded by fans, and several policeman were required to clear the ring before Williams could return to his dressing room.[26]

Zurita defeated Mike Belloise on January 31, 1945, in a third round technical decision, when Belloise failed to come out at the opening of the fourth round. Zurita had floored the former World Featherweight Champion at the end of the third round with a right to the mid-section, but the bell sounded before a count could be completed.[27]

Zurita died on Thursday, March 23, 2000, in Mexico City after being in a coma for several days. He was 82.[28]

Zurita was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997.[29]

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
155Win131–23–1Canguro VarelaKO3 (?)Mar 30, 1948
154Loss130–23–1Ike WilliamsTKO2 (15)Apr 18, 1945
153Win130–22–1Mike BelloiseRTD3 (10)Jan 31, 1945
152Win129–22–1Paul AltmanKO5 (10)Jan 23, 1945
151Win128–22–1Jerry MooreKO6 (10)Nov 17, 1944
150Win127–22–1Aldo SpoldiKO4 (10)Oct 17, 1944
149Win126–22–1Pete LelloKO2 (10)Oct 6, 1944
148Loss125–22–1Beau JackUD10Mar 31, 1944
147Win125–21–1Sammy AngottUD15Mar 8, 1944
146Win124–21–1Miguel ArroyaKO5 (10)Dec 30, 1943
145Win123–21–1Enrique CardosoPTS10Dec 11, 1943
144Win122–21–1Baby CoullimberPTS10Dec 7, 1943
143Win121–21–1Aquilino AllenPTS10Oct 24, 1943
142Win120–21–1Rafael HurtadoPTS10Sep 26, 1943
141Loss119–21–1Slugger WhiteUD10Jun 15, 1943
140Win119–20–1Henry VasquezUD10May 21, 1943
139Win118–20–1Joey SilvaPTS10Apr 30, 1943
138Win117–20–1Joey PeraltaPTS10Mar 19, 1943
137Win116–20–1Jimmy FloritaPTS10Feb 22, 1943
136Win115–20–1Vern BybeePTS10Feb 8, 1943
135Win114–20–1Eddie MarcusKO6 (10)Jan 22, 1943
134Win113–20–1Chuck RaileyTKO3 (10)Dec 4, 1942
133Win112–20–1Chester SliderUD10Nov 27, 1942
132Win111–20–1Panama BrownKO4 (10)Nov 2, 1942
131Loss110–20–1Henry ArmstrongKO2 (10)Oct 13, 1942
130Win110–19–1Jimmy HatcherTKO2 (10)Sep 11, 1942
129Win109–19–1Chester SliderPTS10Sep 2, 1942
128Win108–19–1Henry WoodsPTS10Aug 19, 1942
127Win107–19–1Richie LemosUD10Jul 24, 1942
126Win106–19–1Fillo GonzalezTKO4 (10)May 30, 1942
125Win105–19–1Quentin BreeseUD10May 15, 1942
124Win104–19–1Jimmy FloritaKO5 (10)Apr 7, 1942
123Win103–19–1Ray PricePTS10Mar 13, 1942
122Win102–19–1Billy HaleKO3 (10)Dec 12, 1941
121Win101–19–1Guy SereanKO1 (10)Dec 5, 1941
120Win100–19–1George LatkaPTS10Nov 14, 1941
119Win99–19–1Fillo GonzalezPTS10Sep 13, 1941
118Win98–19–1Joe PedrosoPTS10Aug 2, 1941
117Win97–19–1Mario BaezaKO6 (10)Jul 19, 1941
116Win96–19–1Baby CoullimberPTS10Jun 28, 1941
115Win95–19–1Ventura MarquezKO3 (10)May 31, 1941
114Win94–19–1Carlos MirandaKO3 (10)May 17, 1941
113Loss93–19–1Raul de la TorreKO1 (10)Apr 26, 1941
112Win93–18–1Lloyd PinePTS10Apr 8, 1941
111Win92–18–1Enrique CardosoPTS10Mar 22, 1941
110Win91–18–1Lupe GonzalezPTS10Feb 15, 1941
109Win90–18–1Nick PetersPTS10Dec 13, 1940
108Loss89–18–1Memo LlanesPTS10Nov 30, 1940
107Win89–17–1Fred TaylorPTS10Nov 16, 1940
106Win88–17–1Lupe GonzalezPTS10Nov 9, 1940
105Loss87–17–1Rodolfo RamirezPTS12Oct 26, 1940
104Win87–16–1Carlos ManzanoKO1 (10)Sep 10, 1940
103Win86–16–1Carlos ManzanoKO1 (10)Sep 10, 1940
102Win85–16–1Fred TaylorPTS10Aug 14, 1940
101Win84–16–1Speedy DadoTKO5 (10)Jul 21, 1940
100Win83–16–1Max TarleyKO4 (10)Jun 1, 1940
99Win82–16–1Johnny StevensPTS10May 2, 1940
98Loss81–16–1Rodolfo RamirezTKO12 (12)Dec 16, 1939
97Win81–15–1Joe CondePTS10Nov 26, 1939
96Win80–15–1Tony MarPTS10Oct 11, 1939
95Loss79–15–1Rodolfo RamirezKO6 (10)Sep 2, 1939
94Win79–14–1Carlos MalacaraDQ4 (10)Aug 12, 1939
93Win78–14–1Tony MarPTS12Jul 21, 1939
92Win77–14–1Kallo AlphesaTKO5 (10)May 23, 1939
91Win76–14–1Jimmy HatcherUD10May 15, 1939
90Win75–14–1Tony MarPTS12May 1, 1939
89Win74–14–1Joe CondePTS12Mar 11, 1939
88Win73–14–1Tiburcio De La RosaKO7 (10)Feb 11, 1939
87Loss72–14–1Carlos MalacaraPTS10Jan 28, 1939
86Draw72–13–1Tony MarPTS10Dec 3, 1938
85Win72–13Panchito VillaPTS10Nov 5, 1938
84Win71–13Joe CondePTS12Sep 10, 1938
83Loss70–13Rodolfo CasanovaTKO6 (10)Aug 20, 1938
82Win70–12Felipe AndradeKO1 (10)Jul 9, 1938
81Win69–12Rodolfo CasanovaKO6 (10)Jun 18, 1938
80Win68–12Joe CondePTS10Jun 4, 1938
79Win67–12Salvador CecenaKO4 (10)Jun 1, 1938
78Win66–12Lupe GonzalezPTS10May 14, 1938
77Win65–12Ricardo ManzanilloPTS10May 7, 1938
76Win64–12Joe CondePTS10May 2, 1938
75Loss63–12Emilio MaganaPTS10Feb 19, 1938
74Win63–11Joe CondePTS10Jan 15, 1938
73Win62–11Nava EsparzaKO4 (10)Dec 12, 1937
72Win61–11Pelon GuerraKO6 (10)Dec 4, 1937
71Win60–11Joe CondePTS10Nov 27, 1937
70Win59–11Sebastian GonzalezKO5 (10)Oct 9, 1937
69Win58–11Enrique RodeaPTS10Jul 31, 1937
68Win57–11Joe CondePTS10Jul 10, 1937
67Loss56–11Rodolfo CasanovaTKO10 (10)Jun 26, 1937
66Win56–10Panchon MartinezKO1 (10)Jun 12, 1937
65Win55–10Manuel Villa IPTS10May 8, 1937
64Win54–10Cleo McNealPTS10Apr 3, 1937
63Win53–10Panchito VillaPTS10Mar 21, 1937
62Win52–10Pedro OrtegaPTS10Feb 6, 1937
61Win51–10Ricardo ManzanilloPTS10Jan 30, 1937
60Win50–10Joe CondePTS10Jan 16, 1937
59Win49–10Lalo MendozaPTS10Jan 10, 1937
58Win48–10Baltasar SangchiliPTS10Jan 1, 1937
57Win47–10Joe LuceroTKO4 (10)Oct 7, 1936
56Win46–10Tommy BrownKO2 (10)Oct 5, 1936
55Win45–10Ricardo ManzanilloKO5 (10)Sep 21, 1936
54Loss44–10Henry ArmstrongKO4 (10)Aug 18, 1936
53Win44–9Juan CervantesPTS10Aug 16, 1936
52Win43–9Midget WolgastPTS10Jul 24, 1936
51Win42–9Paco VillaTKO6 (10)Jul 17, 1936
50Win41–9Ricardo ManzanilloPTS10Jun 25, 1936
49Win40–9Chico CisnerosPTS10May 17, 1936
48Loss39–9Rodolfo CasanovaPTS10Apr 25, 1936
47Win39–8Kid BarrilitoKO4 (10)Apr 12, 1936
46Win38–8Midget WolgastKO5 (10)Mar 28, 1936
45Win37–8Georgie HansfordTKO5 (10)Feb 15, 1936
44Win36–8Joey DodgeKO6 (10)Jan 1, 1936
43Win35–8Joseph DecicoUD10Sep 18, 1935
42Win34–8Bobby FernandezPTS10Aug 7, 1935
41Win33–8Georgie HawksKO2 (10)Jul 16, 1935
40Loss32–8Midget WolgastPTS10Jun 28, 1935
39Win32–7Bobby FernandezTKO5 (10)Jun 19, 1935
38Loss31–7Midget WolgastPTS10May 31, 1935
37Loss31–6Rodolfo CasanovaPTS10Apr 27, 1935
36Win31–5Sixto EscobarPTS10Mar 31, 1935
35Loss30–5Midget WolgastPTS10Feb 21, 1935
34Win30–4Gene EspinosaPTS10Jan 18, 1935
33Win29–4Pablo DanoUD10Jan 4, 1935
32Win28–4Chico CisnerosPTS10Nov 25, 1934
31Win27–4Chico CisnerosPTS10Nov 4, 1934
30Loss26–4Rodolfo CasanovaKO12 (12)Sep 15, 1934
29Win26–3Gene EspinosaPTS10Aug 11, 1934
28Win25–3Joe CondePTS10Jul 7, 1934
27Win24–3Pelon GuerraTKO6 (10)Jul 1, 1934
26Win23–3Ricardo ManzanilloPTS12Jun 16, 1934
25Win22–3Cris PinedaKO4 (10)May 19, 1934
24Win21–3Eddie TrujilloPTS10Apr 7, 1934
23Win20–3Eddie RuizKO4 (10)Mar 19, 1934
22Win19–3Carlos IbarraPTS10Mar 10, 1934
21Win18–3Joe CondePTS12Feb 24, 1934
20Loss17–3Joe CondePTS10Feb 3, 1934
19Win17–2Ricardo ManzanilloPTS10Jan 27, 1934
18Loss16–2Cris PinedaPTS10Dec 9, 1933
17Win16–1Pelon GuerraPTS10Nov 25, 1933
16Win15–1Baby PalmorePTS10Nov 4, 1933
15Win14–1Baby NationalistaKO3 (10)Oct 21, 1933
14Win13–1Harry FierroPTS10Sep 23, 1933
13Win12–1Pancho VarelaPTS10Sep 9, 1933
12Win11–1Sabino TiradoPTS10Jul 29, 1933
11Win10–1Juan RiveroPTS10Jul 1, 1933
10Loss9–1Carlos IbarraPTS10May 27, 1933
9Win9–0Guillermo SaucedoKO2 (6)May 20, 1933
8Win8–0Justo JimenezPTS6May 6, 1933
7Win7–0Paco VillaPTS6Apr 22, 1933
6Win6–0Felix PerezPTS4Apr 2, 1933
5Win5–0Rodolfo CamachoTKO1 (6)Mar 18, 1933
4Win4–0Rafael CasanovaKO2 (10)Feb 19, 1933
3Win3–0Juan SandovalPTS6Feb 11, 1933
2Win2–0Eddie KiddPTS10Dec 14, 1932
1Win1–0Kid NachoPTS6Feb 13, 1932

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Juan Zurita Boxrec Bio. BoxRec. 8 December 2016.
  2. Web site: Juan Zurita Boxrec Bio. BoxRec. 8 December 2016.
  3. Web site: Juan Zurita, Cyber Boxing Zone. Cyber Boxing Zone. 8 December 2016.
  4. Grayson, Harry, "Juan Zurita, First Native-born Mexican to Win Boxing Title", Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Arizona, pg. 10, 18 March 1944
  5. "Juan Zurita Whips Dano", Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, pg. 8, 5 January 1935
  6. "Hansford Knocked Out by Juan Zurita", The San Bernardino County Sun, San Bernardino, California, pg. 20, 16 February 1936
  7. "Mexican Boxer Stops Midget Wolgast in Fifth", The Morning News, Wilmington, Delaware, pg. 14, 30 March 1936
  8. Dyer, Braven, "Juan Zurita Outpunches Wolgast to Capture Nod", Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, pg. 13, 25 July 1936
  9. There were no knockdowns in the bout in "Juan Zurita Wins Verdict on Coast", The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah, pg. 5, 25 July 1936
  10. "Armstrong Wins Over Juan Zurita", The Bakersfield Californian, Bakersfield, California, pg. 11, 19 August 1936
  11. "Zurita is Kayoed By Armstrong", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, pg. 16, 14 October 1942
  12. "Juan Zurita Stops Hatcher in Second", The Fresno Bee", Fresno, California, pg. 8, 12 September 1942
  13. "Zurita Gets Decision Over Latka", The Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah, pg. 30, 16 November 1941
  14. "Zurita Takes Lemos in Hollywood Bout", Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno, Nevada, pg. 10, 25 July 1942
  15. Lowry, Paul, "Zurita Whips Lemos in Easy Style", Los Angeles Times, pg. 11, 25 July 1942
  16. "Juan Zurita Outpoints Woods in Ten Rounds", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, pg. 12, 20 August 1942
  17. "Mexican Lightweight Scores Upset Victory in Dull Title Bout", The Daily Notes, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, pg. 8, 9 March 1944
  18. Crowd of 11,300 in Frawley, Frank, "Zurita Takes Title Bout on the Coast", The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah, pg. 15, 9 March 1944
  19. Jacobs promoted the bout in "Jacobs Signs Zurita, Beau Jack", The Bakersfield Californian, Bakersfield, California, pg. 9, 11 March 1944
  20. "Beau Jack Wins Over Zurita in Garden", The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah, pg. 3, 1 April 1944
  21. Crowd of 17,593, in "Beau Jack Decisions Juan Zurita", The Bakersfield Californian, Bakersfield, California, pg. 9, 1 April 1944
  22. "Juan Zurita Wins Second Round KO", Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno, Nevada, pg. 14, 7 October 1944
  23. 20,000 saw the bout in "Uppercut Wins For Juan Zurita in Second", Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, pg. 6, 7 October 1944
  24. Zurita had shot himself in the hand in "Zurita Returns in Bout with Lello", The Evening News, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, pg. 21, 6 October 1944
  25. "Zurita Kayoes Spoldi in Four", Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno, Nevada, pg. 14, 18 October 1944
  26. The fight drew 35,000 in "Bull Ring Battle Draws 35,000 in Mexico City", The Independent Record, Helena, Montana, pg. 8, 19 April 1945
  27. "Juan Zurita Stops Belloise in Fourth", The Fresno Bee, Fresno California, pg. 31, 1 February 1945
  28. "Miscellany", The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, pg. 77, 26 March 2000
  29. https://web.archive.org/web/20051031092302/http://www.wbhf.org/inductees.html World Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees