Everaldo Costa Azevedo

Everaldo Costa Azevedo, born July 24, 1944, in Jacuipa, Bahia, Brazil, was a notable figure in professional boxing. Competing from 1963 to 1982, Azevedo made a name for himself with his orthodox style and consistent performances in the welterweight and junior welterweight divisions. At 5 feet 8 inches tall and with a reach of 68.9 inches, he used a methodical approach in the ring, combining durability with a calculated, defensive strategy.

Azevedo's professional career began in Rio de Janeiro on November 3, 1963, in an unsuccessful debut against Julio Barbosa, where he was stopped in the fourth round. He fought exclusively in Brazil in his early years, racking up 19 wins, 5 draws, and 4 losses over his first 28 fights. In 1967, he shifted his focus to Argentina, where he fought extensively for four years. Despite a notable number of draws—15—Azevedo's supporters believed that his Brazilian nationality often worked against him with the local judges.

The Brazilian boxer's persistence paid off when, after going undefeated for 40 bouts between 1967 and 1972, he rose to the #2 spot in the WBC's junior welterweight rankings. This earned him his first shot at a world title on December 2, 1972, facing the champion, Bruno Arcari, in Torino, Italy. Azevedo's undefeated streak ended with a 15-round decision loss to Arcari, who successfully defended his title.

Throughout the mid-1970s, Azevedo maintained a strong presence in the welterweight division, earning notable victories, including two over European Champion Joergen Hansen—one of which was a knockout—and a decision win over 1968 Olympic bronze medalist Mario Guilloti. These performances kept him in the top ranks, leading to his second chance at a world title.

On September 13, 1977, Azevedo challenged WBC welterweight champion Carlos Palomino at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. The fight showcased Azevedo's tactical skills, as he managed to outbox the champion for much of the contest. The unofficial scorecards favoured Azevedo through the first ten rounds, but Palomino rallied in the final rounds to clinch a controversial unanimous decision. This narrow loss was the closest Azevedo would come to capturing a world title, and his frustration was compounded by a draw against former champion Billy Backus in Backus's hometown shortly after that.

In the later stages of his career, Azevedo continued to compete at a high level. 1979 saw him secure wins over top European fighters, including back-to-back victories over French boxer Alain Marion. His final fight occurred on December 18, 1982, in Creil, France, where he faced Marion again. This time, Azevedo ended his career on a high note with a seventh-round knockout victory. Marion, a respected European and French Welterweight Champion, suffered only three knockout losses in his career—two of them handed to him by Azevedo.

Azevedo's legacy is marked by his resilience and technical skill, allowing him to maintain a professional career that spans nearly two decades. His ability to go toe-to-toe with some of the best welterweights of his era, including Palomino and Arcari, cemented his status as a tough and seasoned competitor. Azevedo retired with a record reflecting his experience and his ability to compete internationally, with notable bouts in Brazil, Argentina, Italy, and France. Residing in Pavia, Italy, after his career ended, Azevedo left a reputation as a skilled and enduring boxer, known for his intelligent in-ring tactics and his knack for surviving against high-calibre opponents.