By Jose Muradas: I stumbled on the name while I was researching material for a Carlos Monzon article. I found Nicolino Locche instead. Rarely, do you see a fighter who could skirt punches and move in and out of combinations without being touched. I know there is Pernell Whitaker, Willie Pep, and Floyd Mayweather. Those fighters come to mind when you think superior defense.
I could add Roy Jones Jr. as well. However, do you know who Nicolino Locche (117-4-14 14KO’s) is? Nicolino Felipe Locche was born in Tunuyan, Mendoza, Argentina. He mainly fought in his home country of Argentina which speaks of why he is so unknown. He did not dance around the ring, his punching power was non-existent, but he could stand in front of you and make you miss into oblivion. He was an illusion to most fighters.’
In 1963, Locche won the South American lightweight title from Brazilian Sebastiano Nascimento, that same year he fought American Joe Brown, and won a unanimous decision. He also went on to fight the legendary Carlos Ortiz and Ismael Laguna,both fights ended in a draw. Locche, was holding his own against the top fighters, but still had not fought outside his native Argentina. In 1968, with a record of (90-2) Locche was set to meet WBA Light Welterweight Champion Paul Takeshi Fuji in Japan.
Locche thoroughly frustrated Fuji, dodging punches, countering Fuji with combinations, and peppering him with a quick jab. Fuji quit after ten rounds, he could not stand the schooling he was given. Locche, was not an avid fan of training, he did the minimum in the gym and smoked like a chimney. Some say he took drags in between rounds. Locche had a gift and knew how to use the art of the dodge, the bob-and weave. He was a true ringmaster, who would have two more big fights with the legendary Antonio Cervantes.
In 1971, Locche fought Cervantes in his native Venezuela, Locche pitched a shut out, fifteen rounds to zero.It was a masterful performance and an example of the true craft of boxing. Locche would go on to fight Panamanian Alfonso Frazer. He would go on to lose a fifteen round decision and his junior Welterweight title. Locche was (106-3) after that fight, an impressive record to go along with six defenses of his title. Locche would make one more attempt to regain the title, but it was not to be, Cervantes stopped Locche in the tenth round by TKO. Locche would go on to win seven more fights before calling it a career.
Locche passed away in 2005 at the age of 66. He will go down as not only a Hall of Fame boxer, but also one of the greatest defensive masterminds of the sport. Here is to you, “El Intocable” the untouchable.
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