Jose Becerra vs Alphonse Halimi

On February 4, 1960, in the cauldron of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Jose Becerra and Alphonse Halimi staged a brutal bantamweight world title contest that would etch itself into LA boxing folklore. Becerra was dropped for a one-count in the second round, an early indicator of the fight's intense nature.

Halimi, the French-Algerian challenger, dominated the early rounds with precise left jabs that systematically opened cuts around Becerra's face. By the eighth round, both unofficial scorecards from Long Beach Independent writers had Halimi comfortably ahead - Dave Lewis scoring it 78-74, Hank Hollingworth 78-75.

Trailing on all three official scorecards and bleeding from multiple facial wounds, Becerra seemed destined for defeat. However, the champion dug deep in the ninth round. After a momentary exchange that snapped both fighters' heads back, Halimi attempted to retreat and resume his long-range attack. Seizing his moment, Becerra unleashed a devastating left hook that landed flush on Halimi's chin.

The French-Algerian crumpled to the canvas, motionless until referee Tommy Hart's five-count. At precisely 48 seconds into the ninth round, Becerra had transformed an inevitable defeat into a spectacular knockout, retaining his bantamweight world title.

The official judges' scorecards—John Thomas (74-78) and George Latka (73-77)—underscored Halimi's apparent dominance before Becerra's fight-ending blow.

Beccera would go on to defend the title a second time in Japan against Kenji Yonekura three months later but retired after losing a non-title fight to Eloy Sanchez (24-12-0). He made a single bout comeback two years later (W pts 6) and then never boxed again.