ESCALERA, ALFREDO SIGNED PHOTO (STINSON LOA)

Alfredo Escalera (born March 21, 1952) is a Puerto Rican who was a world champion boxer. A native of Carolina, his nickname was "Salsero" because he was a fan of Salsa music. Escalera had his first professional bout on September 4, 1970, against Bob Payzant, in Portland. He won by a knockout in round four. He would suffer his first defeat in his third fight, when faced against Doug McClendon, who beat him by a decision in six rounds on January 26, 1971, in New York. He won five bouts in a row, and then lost by decision in eight rounds to future world title challenger Edwin Viruet. On July 4, 1975, he fought the WBC super featherweight champion Kuniaki Shibata in Mito, knocking Shibata out in round two to become the WBC super featherweight champion. Escalera became a house-hold name in Puerto Rico during his tenure as world champion. He appeared in television commercials and was a popular public figure. He defended his title ten times, including wins over Ray Lunny, Sigfredo Rodriguez and Tyrone Everrett. He lost his title on January 28, 1978, to Alexis Argüello of Nicaragua by a knockout in round 13 in Bayamón. In this fight, Escalera suffered a broken nose and tooth, a cut on his tongue and above his left eye, and a closed right eye before submitting to Argüello. The first Arguello-Escalera encounter has been dubbed as "The Bloody Battle of Bayamon". Escalera and Argüello had a rematch, on February 4, 1979, in Rimini, and Escalera held a small lead on the judges' cards after 12 rounds. However, he was knocked out in round 13 by Argüello. Shortly after drawing with Antonio Cruz in ten rounds in October of that year, he announced his retirement. In 1980, Escalera dedicated himself to the sport of professional wrestling, competing on the Puerto Rican professional wrestling circuit. However, in 1981, he launched a boxing comeback. He lost to future world light welterweight champion Gene Hatcher in San Antonio, but he beat former world title challenger Maurice Termite Watkins at "The Battle of the Champions'" undercard in Miami, to complete his 1982 boxing campaign. In 1983, he avenged his loss to Hatcher, dropping him in round six and scoring a ten round unanimous decision win at the Roberto Durán-Davey Moore world title fight undercard in Madison Square Garden. On September 15 of that year he lost to future world title challenger Charlie White Lighting Brown. After the Brown fight, Escalera announced his retirement from boxing. Offered here is a signed photo of Alfredo Escalera. Signed on April 10, 1991 with a letter of authenticity from Jim Stinson.
This is a posed 8" x 10" photo of Escalera in full, fight pose. Not creased or torn. Boldly signed in blue sharpie. Clean front and back. Bold, clear image. Stinson LOA.