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10/22/2003 Archived Entry: "Brazilian Receives WBC Championshi[p Belt after Delay of 28 years"
Brazilian Receives WBC Championship Belt after Delay of 28 years
By Mike DeLisa (from wire reports)
Sao Paulo, Brasil. - Former WBC Junior Middleweight Champion Miguel de Oliveira, finally received his championship belt after a delay of 28 years.
On May 7, 1975, Oliveira won a 15-round decision over defeated Spaniard Jose Durán, becoming the second Brazilian to win a world title. Nevertheless, he did not recieve the belt that day. According to the WBC, the belt was not available because the bout was for the vacant title.
Yesterday, Tuesday, in Sao Paulo the ancient oversight was corrected when Oliveira received the WBC belt, which had been given to Brazilian sport authorities in Moscow during the WBC's recent convention.
"I never let think that a day would receive the belt. The word persistence has always been one of the characteristics of my race," said Oliveira, now 56 years and a boxing instructor.
