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Marcelo Cóceres

Marcelo Esteban Cóceres (born 27 February 1991) is an Argentine professional boxer who challenged for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight title in November 2019.

Professional career

Early years

Debut

On 24 February 2012, Cóceres made his professional debut against 8–1 Angel Alberto Panario in San Jorge, Santa Fe Province, Argentina, Cóceres won via second-round TKO.[1]

He would compose a record of 14–0–1 with 8 knockouts before heading for a championship bout.[1]

IBF Latino junior middleweight champion

On 16 August 2014, Cóceres faced compatriot veteran Sergio Jose Sanders for the vacant IBF Latino junior middleweight strap at San Jorge's Club Atletico in Santa Fe Province, Cóceres won via seventh-round corner retirement.[1]

He would defend the regional crown against lackluster opponents hailing from South American soil before defending his title against regional-challenger Argentine Cesar Humberto Velez where he won via first-round TKO.[1]

Cóceres vs. Luján

On 22 January 2016, Cóceres was scheduled against three-time world title challenger veteran Sebastián Luján to make way for his most notable title defense yet in a bout held in Firmat, Santa Fe Province, Cóceres won via unanimous decision.[1][2]

Rise up the ranks

WBC and WBO Latino middleweight champion

After Cóceres lost hold of his IBF crown in 2017, on 18 May 2018 he fought for another Latino-labeled title, the vacant WBC Latino middleweight belt against the Chilean National middleweight champion Mirko Manquecoy in Club Social y Deportivo Salud Pública, Villaguay. Cóceres won via stopping Manquecoy in the second round.[1] He again fought for a Latino-labaled championship, now the vacant WBO Latino middleweight belt against Argentine prospect Cristian Zarate on 18 August 2018 in Cutral Có, Neuquén Province, Argentina, he won via UD.[3]

Cóceres vs. Peralta

On 21 September 2019, Cóceres fought German Ignacio Peralta for the vacant WBA Fedebol middleweight title, Coceres won via UD.[4]

Cóceres vs. Saunders

At the KSI vs Logan Paul II event on 9 November 2019 in Staples Center, Los Angeles, Cóceres challenged reigning WBO super middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders after the bout was officially announced on 9 October 2019, this bout marked his first match outside of South American soil and his debut in the super middleweight division.[5][6][7] On weigh-in, Cóceres tipped in at 168lbs limit whilst Saunders stood at 167¼lbs, the bout was merely criticized as "thrown in together" in a mad rush by Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn and "NOT supposed to be competitive affairs."[2] It was reported that Saunders would receive a $750,000 guaranteed purse and Cóceres was to collect a $80,000 purse.[8]

Cóceres gave Saunders, who was a 100-1 favorite, a tough and action-packed fight through the first ten rounds despite the odds and early criticism, but in the eleventh, Saunders knocked Cóceres down three times, prompting referee Ray Corona to wave the fight off 1 minute 59 seconds into the penultimate round. Saunders was not pleased with his performance. Speaking to DAZN's Chris Mannix, "Look, there's no excuse. That performance is not worthy of the Canelos (Canelo Álvarez), the Jacobs (Daniel Jacobs) and the other big names. I came here five days before the fight. I'm not making excuses, but I knew, in my own heart, from round nine I have to get this man out of there... Everything was just off tonight. I won, but you know, I wanted to impress the American crowd. I hope you enjoyed the knockout, because that's the only thing I can give you tonight. So, thank you very much." At the time of stoppage, Saunders was ahead on two of the judges scorecards at 96-94 and the remaining judge had it 96-94 for Cóceres.[9][7][10]

Facing contenders

Cóceres vs. Papeschi I

On 13 November 2020, Cóceres returned in the ring against regional-challenger Sebastian Horacio Papeschi for the Argentine super middleweight title in Luis Guillon, Buenos Aires,[11] Cóceres won the bout via close UD victory.[12]

Cóceres vs. Papeschi II

On 23 January 2021, Cóceres and Papeschi had an immediate rematch for the Argentine middleweight title due to how close their contest was, in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds in Polidepotivo Municipal Eva Perón, General Madariaga Partido.[13][12] Papeschi earned his revenge as he wins via split decision.[1]

Cóceres vs. Rosalez

On 17 June 2021, Cóceres faced 5–3 Nelson Nicolas Rosalez for the vacant WBA Fedebol super middleweight crown, Cóceres won via second-round TKO.[14][15]

Cóceres vs. Berlanga

On 9 October 2021 in the undercards of Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III event at T-Mobile Arena, Cóceres fought rising star Edgar Berlanga for the vacant WBO-NABO super middleweight strap.[14] Cóceres proved to be a worthy test for Berlanga who sustained a torn left bicep as Cóceres proved to be tough and dropped Berlanga in the ninth round, in which Berlanga stood up from en route to a dominative UD victory.[16][17][18]

Cóceres vs. Bazinyan

On 23 June 2022, Cóceres fought Canadian contender and NABF super middleweight champion Erik Bazinyan for the NABF and vacant NABA super middleweight titles in Montreal, Canada.[19] Cóceres fell short as Bazinyan dominated him in a UD victory.[20]

Cóceres rebounded with a fourth-round TKO victory over experienced Javier Francisco Maciel on 19 August 2022, a bout that took place in the light heavyweight division.[21]

Cóceres vs. Nursultanov

On 1 October 2022, Cóceres challenged the Kazakh WBO International middleweight champion Meiirim Nursultanov for a scheduled 10-rounds bout in MOSiR Hall, Lublin, Poland, Cóceres lost via unanimous decision with the judges scoring 98–92 and 96–94 twice for the latter.[22][23]

Cóceres vs. Avila

On 19 May 2023, Cóceres fought Leonel "Fachín" Avila for the vacant South American light heavyweight title at the Juan Domingo Perón Cultural and Sports Events Center, González Catán,[24] Cóceres prevailed via impressive second-round TKO to win the Continental belt.[1]

Cóceres vs. Pacheco

On 18 November 2023, Cóceres fought rising contender, WBC-USNBC and WBO International super middleweight champion Diego Pacheco in a bout that headlined an event in YouTube Theater, Inglewood, California. Cóceres gave Pacheco a tough contest but the prospect overpowered Cóceres en route to a memorable ninth-round KO victory.[25][26][27]

Cóceres vs. Iglesias

On 7 March 2024, Cóceres fought the reigning IBO super middleweight champion and knockout-artist Osleys Iglesias[28] In the first round of their bout, Iglesias used his height and reach advantage, utilizing the jab until he lands a jab followed by a left hook to the temple that dropped Cóceres, where Cóceres shockingly lost in the first round as he was counted out.[29]

Cóceres vs. Pomerleau

On 21 September 2024, Cóceres faced against rising prospect David Pomerleau in Colisée de Laval, Laval, Quebec, Canada. Pomerleau scored a stunning, resounding KO victory as he put Cóceres into a halt 31 seconds into the fifth-round.[30]

Professional boxing record

41 fights 32 wins 8 losses
By knockout 18 4
By decision 14 4
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
41 Loss 32–8–1 Derek Pomerleau KO 5 (8), 0:31 21 Sep 2024 Colisée de Laval, Laval, Canada
40 Loss 32–7–1 Osleys Iglesias KO 1 (10), 2:07 7 Mar 2024 Montreal Casino, Montreal, Canada
39 Loss 32–6–1 Diego Pacheco KO 9 (12), 2:53 28 Nov 2023 YouTube Theater, Inglewood, California, U.S. For WBC-USNBC and WBO International super middleweight titles
38 Win 32–5–1 Leonel Eduardo Ávila TKO 2 (10), 2:05 19 May 2023 Centro de Eventos Culturales y Deportivos Juan Domingo Perón, González Catán, Argentina Won vacant South American light heavyweight title
37 Loss 31–5–1 Meiirim Nursultanov UD 10 11 Oct 2022 MOSiR Hall, Lublin, Poland For WBO International middleweight title
36 Win 31–4–1 Javier Francisco Maciel TKO 4 (10), 1:53 19 Aug 2022 Club Union Carmeña, Carmen de Areco, Argentina
35 Loss 30–4–1 Erik Bazinyan UD 10 23 Jun 2022 Montreal Casino, Montreal, Canada For WBC-NABF and vacant WBA-NABA super middleweight titles
34 Loss 30–3–1 Edgar Berlanga UD 10 9 Oct 2021 T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For vacant WBO-NABO super middleweight title
33 Win 30–2–1 Nelson Nicolás Rosalez TKO 2 (10), 1:54 17 Jun 2021 Microestadio Municipal, Hurlingham, Argentina Won vacant WBA Fedebol super middleweight title
32 Loss 29–2–1 Sebastián Horacio Papeschi SD 10 23 Jan 2021 Polideportivo Municipal Eva Perón, General Madariaga Partido, Argentina For vacant Argentine middleweight title
31 Win 29–1–1 Sebastián Horacio Papeschi UD 10 13 Nov 2020 Club Atlético Social y Deportivo - Complejo Guillon-, Buenos Aires, Argentina Won vacant Argentine super middleweight title
30 Loss 28–1–1 Billy Joe Saunders KO 11 (12), 1:59 9 Nov 2019 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. For WBO super middleweight title
29 Win 28–0–1 Germán Ignacio Peralta UD 10 21 Sep 2019 Club Atlético Huracán, Buenos Aires, Argentina Won vacant WBA Fedebol middleweight title
28 Win 27–0–1 Carmelito de Jesús TKO 7 (10), 3:00 5 Apr 2019 Club Atlético Huracán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
27 Win 26–0–1 Basilio Silva KO 2 (10) 28 Dec 2018 Centro de Educacion Física, Ranchos, Argentina
26 Win 25–0–1 Dani Eliasquevici UD 10 6 Oct 2018 Estadio F.A.B., Buenos Aires, Argentina
25 Win 24–0–1 Criztian Zárate UD 10 18 Aug 2018 Gimnasio Municipal Enrique Mosconi, Cutral Có, Argentina Won vacant WBO Latino middleweight title
24 Win 23–0–1 Mirko Manquecoy TKO 2 (10) 18 May 2018 Club Social y Deportiva Salud Públiva, Villaguay, Argentina Won vacant WBC Latino middleweight title
23 Win 22–0–1 Abel Nicolás Adriel TKO 4 (6) 10 Mar 2018 Estadio F.A.B., Buenos Aires, Argentina
22 Win 21–0–1 Guillermo de Jesús Paz UD 6 24 Feb 2017 Olímpico Football Club, Villa Gobernador Gálvez, Argentina
21 Win 20–0–1 Sebastián Luján UD 10 22 Jan 2016 Club Atlético Argentino, Firmat, Argentina Retained IBF Latino light middleweight title
20 Win 19–0–1 César Humberto Vélez TKO 1 (10) 27 Nov 2015 Polideportivo Municipal, Recreo, Argentina Retained IBF Latino light middleweight title
19 Win 18–0–1 Claudinei Lacerda UD 10 8 Jul 2015 Sociedad Italiana, Santa Fe, Argentina Retained IBF Latino light middleweight title
18 Win 17–0–1 Mateo Damián Verón KO 6 (10) 15 May 2015 Club Atlético San Jorge, Santa Fe, Argentina Retained IBF Latino light middleweight title
17 Win 16–0–1 Adonisio Francisco Reges UD 10 10 Oct 2014 Asociación Club Mutual El Tala, San Francisco, Argentina Retained IBF Latino light middleweight title
16 Win 15–0–1 Sergio José Sanders RTD 7 (10), 3:00 16 Aug 2014 Club Atlético San Jorge, Santa Fe, Argentina Won vacant IBF Latino light middleweight title
15 Win 14–0–1 Pablo Martín Roldán TKO 1 (6), 0:37 19 Jul 2014 Villa La Ñata Sporting Club, Buenos Aires, Argentina
14 Win 13–0–1 Claudio Roberto Fernández KO 1 (6) 23 May 2014 Sociedad Italiana, Santa Fe, Argentina
13 Win 12–0–1 Miguel Carranza TKO 3 (6) 21 Mar 2014 San Jorge, Santa Fe, Argentina
12 Win 11–0–1 Maximiliano Gaston Mujica KO 6 (6), 2:43 22 Feb 2014 Asociación de Fomento, Buenos Aires, Argentina
11 Win 10–0–1 Juan Alberto Nicolás Cuéllar UD 6 6 Dec 2013 Club Los Padres Capuchinos, Concórdia, Argentina
10 Win 9–0–1 Adán Martínez UD 6 25 Oct 2013 Club Salto Uruguayo, Salto, Uruguay
9 Win 8–0–1 Bernardino González UD 6 11 Oct 2013 Asociación Mutual Club El Tala, San Francisco, Argentina
8 Win 7–0–1 Daniel Alberto Rodríguez TKO 2 (6) 20 Sep 2013 Club El Expreso, El Trébol, Argentina
7 Win 6–0–1 Pablo Martín Roldán TKO 2 (6) 6 Jul 2013 Club Huracán, Villaguay, Argentina
6 Win 5–0–1 Gustavo Hernán Ríos UD 4 24 Nov 2012 Club Huracán, Villaguay, Argentina
5 Win 4–0–1 Claudio Roberto Fernández UD 4 12 Oct 2012 Club Atlético María Juana, María Juana, Argentina
4 Win 3–0–1 Roberto Eduardo Adriel UD 4 5 May 2012 Club Huracán, Villaguay, Argentina
3 Win 2–0–1 Daniel Alberto Rodríguez TKO 2 (4) 20 Apr 2012 Sociedad Italiana, Santa Fe, Argentina
2 Draw 1–0–1 César Hernán Reynoso SD 4 23 Mar 2012 Club Atlético María Juana, María Juana, Argentina
1 Win 1–0 Ángel Alberto Panario TKO 2 (4) 24 Feb 2012 Sociedad Italiana, Santa Fe, Argentina

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "BoxRec: Marcelo Coceres". boxrec.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b Boxing News (8 November 2019). "Haney Vs. Santiago & Saunders Vs. Coceres – Official Weight". boxingnews24.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  3. ^ Redacción Democracia (20 August 2018). "Marcelo "El Terrible" Cóceres doblegó a Zárate y conquistó el título latino mediano". diariodemocracia.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  4. ^ "FightFax: Marcelo Coceres p. 2". fightfax.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  5. ^ Rafael, Dan (9 October 2019). "Saunders to defend title vs. Coceres in U.S. debut". espn.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  6. ^ Flexen, Danny (10 October 2019). "Marcelo Esteban Coceres: Argentinian challenging Billy Joe Saunders on KSI vs Logan Paul 2 show". secondsout.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  7. ^ a b Idec, Keith (10 November 2025). "Billy Joe Saunders Drops Coceres Three Times For TKO in Eleventh". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  8. ^ Akopyan, Manouk (9 November 2019). "KSI, Logan Paul To Each Make $900K For Fight, Haney $1M". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  9. ^ "Billy Joe Saunders eyes Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez after Marcelo Esteban Coceres win". bbc.com. 10 November 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  10. ^ "BoxRec: Bout". boxrec.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  11. ^ "Vuelve el boxeo: Papeschi va por un nuevo título". elcivismo.com (in Spanish). 12 November 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Papeschi va por la revancha ante "El Terrible"". elcivismo.com (in Spanish). 23 January 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  13. ^ "El boxeador villaguayense Marcelo Cóceres defenderá su título argentino". elonce.com (in Spanish). 13 January 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  14. ^ a b Coppinger, Mike (26 August 2021). "Super middleweight Edgar Berlanga agrees to 2-fight plan with Top Rank". espn.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  15. ^ "FightFax: Marcelo Coceres p. 1". fightfax.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  16. ^ Rosenthal, Michael (9 October 2021). "Edgar Berlanga survives stiff test against Marcelo Coceres". boxingjunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  17. ^ Campbell, Morgan (9 October 2021). "Edgar Berlanga got a unanimous decision over Marcelo Esteban Coceres". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  18. ^ Ambrose, Dan (11 October 2021). "Edgar Berlanga Suffered Torn Left Bicep In 3rd Against Marcelo Esteban Coceres". boxingnews24.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  19. ^ Wainwright, Anson (28 April 2022). "Erik Bazinyan will risk his unbeaten record against Marcelo Coceres on June 23, 2022". ringtv.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  20. ^ "BoxRec: Bout". boxrec.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  21. ^ Redacción Democracia (21 August 2022). "Cóceres derrotó el el cuarto round a Maciel y paz se impuso a Pedraza". diariodemocracia.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  22. ^ Kaplan, Amy A (16 November 2023). "Pacheco Vs. Coceres Fight Results". boxingnews24.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  23. ^ "BoxRec: Bout". boxrec.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  24. ^ "Mafauad-Ayala y Cóceres-Avila están listos en González Catán". elpatagonico.com (in Spanish). 19 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  25. ^ BOXINGSCENE STAFF (18 November 2023). "Diego Pacheco Overcomes Tough Moments To Knock Marcelo Coceres Out in Ninth". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  26. ^ Crose, Sean (18 November 2023). "Diego Pacheco Knocks Out Marcelo Cocered In Nine". boxinginsider.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  27. ^ Hissner, Ken (18 November 2023). "Boxing Results: Diego Pacheco Stops Marcelo Coceres!". boxingnews24.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  28. ^ RANDOM HITS (12 February 2024). "Osleys Iglesias vs. Marcelo Coceres Added To Butler-Rolls Card on March 7". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  29. ^ Ketelle, Lucas (7 March 2024). "Osleys Iglesias Finishes Marcelo Coceres in First Round". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  30. ^ Levesque, Dave (21 September 2024). "Pomerleau passe le K.-O. à Coceres". journaldemontreal.com (in French). Retrieved 3 May 2025.