Frankie Warren

Biography

Frankie Warren, known in the boxing world as "Panchito," was a formidable super lightweight contender from Corpus Christi, Texas. Born on December 11, 1958, Warren's boxing journey began with an impressive amateur career, compiling a record of 269 wins against just 11 losses. This remarkable amateur stint laid the foundation for his professional career, which he embarked upon on October 9, 1982. Warren's professional debut, a six-round unanimous decision win over Jack Alvarez, marked the beginning of a six-year, ten-month journey that would see him face some of the most formidable opponents in the super lightweight division.

Warren's professional career was marked by a series of impressive victories against world-class fighters. He quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, defeating notable names such as Sammy Fuentes, Buddy McGirt (in their first encounter), Gene Hatcher, Ronnie Shields, and Mickey Ward. His aggressive style and ability to secure knockouts earned him a reputation as a dangerous opponent. Warren's rise through the ranks was swift, and by 1988, he had amassed a record of 25-0, positioning himself for a world title shot. However, his first loss came in a title bout against Buddy McGirt for the IBF super lightweight title in February 1988. Despite this setback, Warren rebounded with several victories, including a notable win over Mickey Ward.

One of the defining characteristics of Frankie Warren's career was his resilience. After suffering his first loss to McGirt, he continued to compete at a high level, eventually facing Loreto Garza in his final professional bout on August 12, 1989. Warren lost this fight via a 12-round decision, bringing an end to his professional career with a final record of 30-2-0, with 20 of those wins coming by way of knockout. Despite never securing a world title, Warren's reputation as a top-tier super lightweight contender remains intact. His ability to compete against and defeat some of the best fighters of his era solidifies his place in the annals of boxing history.