Esteban De Jesus

Biography

Esteban De Jesús, affectionately known as "Vita," was a formidable lightweight boxer from Carolina, Puerto Rico, who left an indelible mark on the sport. Born on August 2, 1951, De Jesús began his professional journey on February 10, 1969, not July 19 as sometimes reported, when he defeated El Tarita via a second-round knockout. This impressive debut set the stage for a career that would span over a decade and feature some of the most iconic bouts in boxing history.

De Jesús's amateur career is not as well-documented as his professional one, but his rise through the ranks was swift and decisive. He quickly gained recognition for his aggressive style and formidable punching power, which earned him a reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight division. His professional career was marked by notable victories, including his first twenty fights, thirteen of which ended in knockouts. This streak included wins over future title challengers like Josue Marquez, whom he defeated twice to claim and retain the Puerto Rican national Lightweight championship.

One of the most significant aspects of De Jesús's career was his rivalry with Roberto Durán, a legendary boxer from Panama. Their trilogy is remembered as one of the greatest in boxing history. De Jesús holds the distinction of being the first and only fighter to defeat Durán during his lightweight reign, winning a unanimous decision in 1972. However, Durán would avenge this loss twice, including a decisive knockout victory in their third bout in 1978. Despite these setbacks, De Jesús's resilience and determination earned him a world title. On May 8, 1976, he defeated Guts Ishimatsu via a unanimous decision to become the WBC lightweight champion. De Jesús successfully defended his title several times before eventually losing it.

De Jesús faced numerous world-class fighters throughout his career, including Antonio Cervantes, against whom he lost a decision for the super-lightweight title in 1975. His final professional bout took place on July 7, 1980, when he challenged Saoul Mamby for the WBC super-lightweight title. Unfortunately, De Jesús suffered a one-sided loss, being stopped in the thirteenth round. This marked the end of his professional career, concluding with 57 wins and 5 losses, including 32 victories by knockout. Despite the challenges he faced both in and out of the ring, including struggles with drug addiction, De Jesús remains a celebrated figure in Puerto Rican boxing history.

De Jesús's life outside the ring was marred by personal struggles, including a well-documented battle with drug addiction. He began using drugs early in his career, which eventually took a toll on his personal and professional life. Despite these challenges, his legacy as a boxer continues to inspire fans and fighters alike. His rivalry with Durán and his achievements in the ring have cemented his place as one of the greatest lightweight champions of his era. Esteban De Jesús passed away on May 11, 1989, at 37, leaving behind a legacy that continues to captivate boxing enthusiasts worldwide.