33 years ago

Date: 6th February 1988

Venue: Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin, Paris, Paris, France

Title: IBF World Bantamweight Title

Promoted by: Sports Loisirs Artistique

Kelvin Seabrooks
( 25 - 13 - 0 )
Weight: 115 lbs

Fernando Beltran
( 19 - 2 - 1 )
Weight: 118 lbs

Kelvin Seabrooks made the third defence of his IBF world bantamweight title at the Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin in Paris, France against Mexican Fernando Beltran on February 6th 1988. Seabrooks (25-13-0). from Charlotte, North Carolina won the title in a vacant title match against Miguel Maturana in Cartegena, Colombia, no easy task, but Seabrooks never had it easy, always facing top-quality opposition away from home.

In his first defence, Seabrooks had beaten French hero Thierry Jacob in Calais and so, the promoters, the Acaries brothers, brought the champion back to France to face Beltran (19-2-1) who had been based in France for his last five fights.

Seabrooks was on a six-fight unbeaten run and made short work of Beltran to run that streak to seven with a 2nd round stoppage. Referee Vincent Rainone halting the bout at 2:35 of the round.

Seabrooks lost the title in his next defence against Orlando Canizares in Atlantic City.