64 years ago

Date: 4th February 1960

Title: World Bantamweight Title

Promoter: George Parnassus

Jose Becerra
( 61 - 4 - 3 )
Weight: 118 lbs

Alphonse Halimi
( 28 - 2 - 0 )
Weight: 117 1/2 lbs

World Bantamweight champion Jose Beccera made the first defence of his title against the man he won it from seven months earlier, French-Algerian Alphonse Halimi at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.

Becerra, from Guadalajara, Mexico was knocked down in the 2nd round but managed to see the round out and come back to knock out his challenger in the 9th round. Referee Tommy Hart reaching the count of ten at 0:48 of the round.

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.