111 years since the first Argentine professional boxing title fight

This piece delves into the rich history of Argentine boxing, marking the 111th anniversary of a pivotal moment: the first professional Argentine boxing title fight. Held in 1915, the championship bout between Willie Gould and Gustavo Lenevé was an epic 32-round contest that captivated the public imagination on both sides of the Río de la Plata.

The fight's location, the Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos in Colonia, Uruguay, is itself a story. Boxing faced a moralistic ban in Buenos Aires following a city councilman's objections in 1892. This prohibition inadvertently turned Uruguay into a sanctuary for the sport, with Colonia aiming to become a glamorous destination akin to the French Riviera. The bullring, a grand structure built in 1910, provided a fitting stage for this historic boxing encounter.

The article profiles the main contenders, notably Willie Gould, an English fighter who arrived in Buenos Aires in 1907 and quickly made his mark. Gould's career, though difficult to fully document, included founding the Buenos Aires Boxing Club and winning numerous fights, often giving away weight advantages. His journey, including a brief return to England, highlights the international flavor of early 20th-century boxing in South America. The event drew an estimated two thousand Argentines who traveled by boat to witness the spectacle without fear of police intervention, underscoring the fight's significance and the public's fervent support for the sport.