Champion Lupe Aquino

Champion Lupe Aquino

Born Isaias Guadalupe Aquino on January 23, 1963, in Chihuahua, Mexico, Aquino rose from modest beginnings to become a world champion.

Early Steps in the Sweet Science

The 1980s weren’t all the old when Lupe Aquino made his pro debut at the age of 18, beginning a career that would span nearly twenty years. Competing predominately at 154 pounds and later moving up to middleweight, he fought with an aggressive orthodox stance and a willingness to engage, thrusting himself into deep waters against formidable contemporaries. Aquino started his professional career with 17 straight successful outings before dropping a split decision to Rudy Hernandez.  In total, Aquino accumulated 64 professional bouts, finishing with 53 wins (36 by knockout), 9 losses, and 2 draws.

His boxing style blended toughness with technical proficiency, characteristics that helped him navigate his division during the 1980s and early 1990s.

WBC Super Welterweight Champion

The pinnacle of Aquino’s career came in the summer of 1987, when he fought Duane Thomas for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super welter title. On July 12, 1987, in Mérignac, France, Aquino outboxed Thomas over twelve rounds to win by unanimous decision, capturing the WBC crown and etching his name into the sport’s elite ranks.

Title Defense and Tough Comebacks

Aquino’s reign was brief but hard‑fought. In his first title defense, he faced Gianfranco Rosi (41-2) in Perugia, Italy, on October 2, 1987. Rosi won by unanimous decision over twelve rounds, taking the WBC belt from Aquino in a competitive bout. The judges scored the bout 115-114 (2x) and 118-113 for home-grown talent Rosi.

In 1988, Aquino challenged John David Jackson for the vacant inaugural WBO junior middleweight title. In that fight, Aquino was dropped and ultimately retired after the seventh round, ending his bid for the title.

Years later, on October 30, 1993, he again contested the vacant WBO belt, this time against Verno Phillips in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite a determined effort, Aquino was stopped by technical knockout in the seventh round, when his corner entered the ring.

Notable Foes and Hard Roads

Aquino shared the ring with some of the era’s most respected competitors and consistently faced ranked opposition throughout his career. One of his most noteworthy later fights was a unanimous decision loss to Bernard Hopkins, proof of the level of opposition he consistently faced during the latter stages of his career.

Aquino continued fighting professionally through 1999. His final recorded bout was a knockout victory over Armando Campas in Ventura, California, before retiring from the sport.

Across nearly two decades, Aquino’s career reflected durability, perseverance, and an enduring commitment to boxing, earning him respect from opponents and fans alike.

• Rudy Hernandez (10-2-1) – winner of Schlitz/Stroh’s Forum Tournament (LA, CA), trainer to brother Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez
• Marlon Starling (31-2-0) – World Champion
• Davey Moore (16-3) – World Champion
• Duane Thomas (29-1) – World Champion
• Gianfranco Rosi (41-2) – World Champion
• Donald Curry (28-2) – World Champion
• Milton McCrory (33-2-1) – World Champion
• John David Jackson (17-0) – World Champion
• Pipino Cuevas (34-14) – World Champion
• Ernesto Magdaleno (15-0) – *auto accident took the life of this world caliber challenger
• Verno Phillips (21-4-1) – World Champion
• Bernard Hopkins (25-2) – World Champion
• Young Dick Tiger (30-12) – Fought for and won regional titles

*All the above records reflect the fighters’ record coming into their bout with Lupe Aquino

Legacy — A Champion Remembered

Lupe Aquino reached the summit of the WBC super welterweight division and consistently faced elite opposition. His legacy rests on a career that embodied grit, resilience, and longevity during a fiercely competitive era in the 154 pound division.