Remembering the Greats: Carlos Zarate

Possessing power rarely seen at the lower weights, former bantamweight champion Carlos Zarate was one of the most exciting knockout artists of the 1970s.

Turning pro in 1970, Zarate quickly made history as the only boxer to have 20 or more knockouts in a row after starting his career with 23 successive knockouts.

By 1976, he earned a WBC title shots against fellow Mexican Rodolfo Martinez, who he knocked out in eight rounds.

After three successful defenses, Zarate met fellow undefeated Mexican and WBA bantamweight champion Alfonso Zamora in 1977 in what was dubbed “The Battle of the Z Boys.” Hated rivals, Zarate emerged victorious from the grudge match shootout with a 4^th round TKO.

The following year Zarate didn’t prove as lucky moving up to Super Bantamweight against another rival in Wilfredo Gomez. Being too small to hurt the naturally bigger Gomez, Zarate suffered his first loss with a 5^th round TKO. The fight is also notable to pitting two fighters who at the time of their meeting had the highest knockout percentages in history between them: Gomez at 21-0, 21 KOs and Zarate at 55-0, 54 KOs.

Another setback came thein 1979, as Zarate suffered a heart-breaking split decision loss to Lupe Pintor despite flooring his gym-mate in the 4^th.

Zarate retired after this loss for five years before launching a comeback in 1985.Despite a string of 11 straight KOs including one of over #1 contender Richard Savage, Zarate ultimately lost his biggest contests against WBC Super Bantemweight champ Jeff Fenech in 1987 (4^th round TD on a accidental butt) and in 1988 against Daniel Zaragoza via a 10^th round stoppage.

He retired for good that year, and Zarate joined the International Boxing Hall of Fame during the 1990s.

His final record stands at 66-4, 63 KOs.

Zarate vs. Zamora

Zarate vs. Rodolfo Martinez

Zarate vs. Orlando Amores