BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY José Legrá born 19 April 1943 in Baracoa, Cuba is a former professional boxer in the Featherweight division.
Legrá is a former two time WBC World Featherweight Champion.
In June 1960, Legrá turned professional in Cuba winning his first fight against Pedro Pinera which he won with a points decision over four rounds. Legrá drew his next fight and lost two after that and fought a total of 34 fights in Mexico and Cuba before departing for Spain in 1963 with a record of 27-5-2.
Move to Spain
His first fight in Spain was in October 1963 against Moroccan Lazaro ben Layachi, which he won by KO in the sixth of eight rounds. Legrá then went on a run of over sixty wins between 1963 and 1967 with just one defeat on points against Welshman Howard Winstone at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool in England.
European title
Legrá won his first title belt, the vacant European Featherweight title, in December 1967 with a third round knockout win over France's Yves Desmarets. Legrá subsequently relinquished the title without a defence.[2]
WBC World title
Legrá first opportunity to fight for a recognised world title belt came in July 1968 when he challenged Howard Winstone again, this time for his WBC Featherweight title. Legrá floored Winstone twice in the first round of the fight. The bout was subsequently halted because Winstone had a badly swollen left eye.
Legra lost his WBC Featherweight championship on 21 January 1969 after being defeated by French-Australian Johnny Famechon on points at the Albert Hall in London.
After Famechon
Legrá won two matches before losing by UD to Vicente Saldivar. Seven matches later Legrá would regain the EBU Featherweight title after beating Tommaso Galli on points. Legra would defend it five times before vacating it in 1972.
Regaining the WBC title and retirement
On December 16, 1972. Legrá fought Clemente Sanchez for the vacant Featherweight title, Sanchez was stripped of the title before the fight but the title was still on the line for Legrá. Legrá would TKO Sanchez in the tenth round to win.
Legrá lost the title in his very next fight to Brazilian Eder Jofre by Majority Decision.
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