On This Day… April 12

1980.- At the Civic Auditorium in Tucson, Arizona, Mexican Salvador Sánchez defended his WBC featherweight title by defeating American Rubén Castillo by decision.

1981.- The historic North American heavyweight champion Joe Louis passed away at 66. Joe didn’t lose in over 12 years, from 1938 to 1950, making 25 successful world title defenses.
1996.- American Pernell Whitaker defeated Puerto Rican Wilfredo Rivera by decision in a close fight at the Atlantis Casino, in Cupecoy Bay, on the Island of San Martin. With this win Pernell defended his WBC welterweight title.
1997.- American Oscar De La Hoya became WBC welterweight champion, defeating Pernell Whitaker by decision at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
2008.- At the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, American Chad Dawson defeated Jamaican Glen Johnson by decision, defending his WBC light heavyweight title.