Ossie Ocasio

Biography

Ossie Ocasio, known as "Jaws," was born on August 12, 1955, in Santurce, Puerto Rico. Standing six feet tall with a reach of 74 inches, Ocasio fought out of an orthodox stance and became one of Puerto Rico's most notable boxing champions, leaving an enduring mark on both the heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions.

Ocasio began his professional career on February 20, 1976, at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he knocked out Lorenzo Simons in the third round. His early career was marked by steady progress through the heavyweight ranks, where he showcased a unique style that combined defensive awkwardness with sharp counter-punching. His rise was cemented after back-to-back decision victories over seasoned contender Jimmy Young, victories that earned him a shot at Larry Holmes' WBC heavyweight title.

On March 23, 1979, Ocasio faced Holmes at the Las Vegas Hilton Pavilion. Despite entering the fight undefeated, he was outclassed by the champion, who stopped him in the seventh round after a series of knockdowns. It was a harsh lesson on the gulf between contender and champion at the sport's highest level.

Following the Holmes fight, Ocasio transitioned to the newly formed cruiserweight division, a move that would define the most successful phase of his career. On February 13, 1982, at Rand Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Ocasio won the vacant WBA World Cruiserweight Title by defeating Robbie Williams via a split decision after 15 hard-fought rounds. This victory marked a turning point, and Ocasio began a title reign that showcased his resilience and adaptability.

In his first defence, Ocasio faced Eddie Taylor on December 15, 1982, at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, securing a unanimous decision victory. He followed this with another successful defence against Randy Stephens on May 20, 1983, at the Dunes Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, winning comfortably on the scorecards. On May 5, 1984, in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Ocasio stopped John Odhiambho in the final round, further solidifying his status as a dominant force in the cruiserweight division.

However, every reign has its end, and for Ocasio, it came on December 1, 1984, against Piet Crous in Sun City, South Africa. After 15 gruelling rounds, Crous was declared the winner by unanimous decision, bringing Ocasio's title run to a close.

Ocasio continued fighting throughout the late 1980s and into the early 1990s, remaining a respected contender in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight ranks. His final professional bout took place on November 23, 1992, against rising contender Alex Garcia at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. Ocasio was stopped in the eighth round, marking the end of his 16-year career.

Across his career, Ocasio earned respect for his toughness, durability, and ability to adapt across weight classes. His legacy is built on his reign as WBA cruiserweight champion, where he proved his mettle against skilled challengers in an often-overlooked division.