Boxing fans and historians have always discussed and argued about who were the best fighters of all time.   While it is surely impossible to prove the best ever by comparing fighters from different generations,  it makes for interesting conversations while debating the merits of the fighters considered the best.   When the discussion involves the 118-pound Bantamweight division’s all time great fighters,  one name that is prominently mentioned is Brazil’s Hall-of-Famer Eder Jofre, nicknamed  “O Galo Do Ouro”  (Portuguese for “Golden Bantam”).   During his ring career, Jofre’s accomplishments certainly support those who believe that the great Brazilian is among the division’s best fighters ever.  His excellent boxing ability, outstanding power with either hand and an indestructible “iron chin” made him a dangerous opponent, and carried him to the pinnacle of his profession. 

After representing his country in the 1956 Olympic games,  Jofre’s illustrious professional career spanned 19 years,  and in the process captured world titles in two different divisions with many victories over the top fighters of his era. 

Beginning his “fight-for-pay” career in 1957 at 21 years of age,  the great Brazilian was unbeaten when in 1960 he won the South American Bantamweight title with a win over the excellent Ernesto Miranda, who sported a record of 40 wins with only 3 defeats.  This win, together with a victory over Mexico’s highly regarded veteran Jose Medel, positioned Jofre for an opportunity at the vacant world Bantamweight title against Eloy Sanchez of Mexico.   Jofre’s 6^th round knockout of the Mexican earned him the world Bantamweight championship and cemented his place among the world’s best fighters.  Brazil’s beloved Jofre had reached the pinnacle of his sport! 

In defense of his newly acquired Bantamweight title,  Jofre knocked out eight consecutive highly ranked challengers to his throne, including Italy’s Piero Rollo, Venezuela’s Ramon Arias,  Ireland’s unbeaten Johnny Caldwell,  Herman Marques,  Mexico’s Jose Medel,  Japan’s highly rated Katsutoshi Aoki (record of 33-1),  Philippine Johnny Jamito and the hard punching, unbeaten Colombian Bernardo Caraballo (record of 39-0).   The victory over Caraballo established a record for the longest unbeaten streak at the start of a career at that time.  A remarkable accomplishment by a remarkable fighter from Brazil. 

With these wins,  Eder raised his unbeaten record to 47 wins (with 37 KOs) and 3 draws, and was now being recognized as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.  So confident was he of his abilities inside the ring, that he often defended his title in the opponent’s home country.  However,  one such appearance abroad culminated in Jofre’s  first loss as a professional, and the loss of his prized world Bantamweight title. 

 In May 1965, the Brazilian traveled to Japan for a title defense against Masahiko “Fighting” Harada, the Japanese highly ranked contender.  .With a very close split decision win, the Japanese challenger inflicted Jofre’s first loss and became the new Bantamweight champion of the world.   One year after losing his title,  Jofre once again traveled to Japan to challenge the new champion, “Fighting” Harada.   Just as in their previous encounter,  Harada again triumphed over the great Brazilian by a very close unanimous decision and thus retained his world title.    This second defeat at the hands of “Harada” would be the only losses suffered by the brilliant Jofre in his illustrious career.  The Japanese future Hall-of-Famer proved to be his nemesis and a “thorn in Jofre’s side.” 

After the second loss to Harada, Jofre retired from boxing and remained inactive for the next three years.   He embarked on a comeback in 1969 and won his next 14 fights in the higher Featherweight division now ruled by Cuba’s outstanding champion, Jose Legra.  Fighting in front of his adoring Brazilian countrymen,  the very popular Eder Jofre once again became a world champion, this time taking Legra’s Featherweight title in a decision victory.  Jofre had now claimed titles in the Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions , and had undoubtedly made another claim as one of the best fighters in the world. 

After his title winning effort against Legra,  Jofre went on to win another 10 encounters,  including impressive knockout victories over Chilean veteran Godfrey Stevens (record of 71-7) and Mexico’s  former world champion and future Hall-of-Famer Vicente Saldivar, as well as a decision win over California’s Frankie Crawford. 

Now a 40 year old with declining skills,  Eder Jofre announced his permanent retirement from boxing in October 1976 following a win over Octavio Gomez.  He retired with an impressive record of  72 victories (with 50 by KO) only 2 losses (both to “Fighting” Harada) and 4 draws.   During his lengthy 19-year campaign, he was always considered among the best in his sport, having defeated the best fighters of his generation. 

The history of the bantamweight division has boasted of such all time greats as Panama Al Brown, Ruben Olivares, Carlos Zarate, Manuel Ortiz, Masahiko “Fighting” Harada,  Jose Becerra, Terry McGovern, Pete Herman and Lupe Pintor.  The exclusive group is now joined by Brazil’s great Eder Jofre,  who reached the pinnacle of his sport by being inducted into the “International Boxing Hall of Fame” in 1992, the highest honor bestowed on a fighter. 

The “International Boxing Research Organization”  (“IBRO”), a group made up of boxing historians and supported by many boxing web-sites and by the “International Veterans Boxers Association”,  have ranked the top all-time fighters in each division,  and they have bestowed a tremendous and deserving honor, having named…

Brazil’s Eder Jofre the GREATEST BANTAMWEIGHT EVER!!!