Daniel Alicea, Puerto Rican boxer, Died at 50

 

Daniel Alicea: The Puerto Rican Boxing Champion.

Early Life and Career,

Daniel Alicea, born in 1973, was a professional boxer hailing from Puerto Rico. Specializing in the featherweight and junior lightweight categories, Alicea left an indelible mark on the sport of boxing.

The Pivotal Match Against Naseem Hamed

One of the defining moments of Alicea's career took place on June 8, 1996. On that day, he stepped into the ring to challenge Naseem Hamed for the World Boxing Organization's World Featherweight Championship. The match was held at the Telewest Arena in Newcastle, England, and was televised in the United States via the Showtime Network.

The contest started off with a bang: Alicea nearly caused an upset when he knocked Hamed down in the very first round. However, the tides turned quickly, and Alicea was stopped in the second round.

Further Career Highlights

Alicea also had a memorable encounter with Acelino Freitas, a Brazilian boxer. Despite his best efforts, Alicea was knocked out in the first round by Freitas.

Undeterred by these setbacks, Alicea went on to claim several titles:

• North American Boxing Organization
• World Boxing Council Continental Americas
• North American Boxing Federation Junior Lightweight titles

Alicea retired from the sport with an impressive record: 30 wins, 7 losses, and 2 draws in 39 contests. Of these, 22 wins and 6 losses came by way of knockout.

Personal Life and Death

In his personal life, Alicea was married to Frances Pagan and resided in Camden, New Jersey. Tragically, Alicea was diagnosed with leukemia in 2016. The cancer initially receded, but returned in 2019. Alicea succumbed to a brain bleed on September 8, 2023, at the age of 50.

Legacy

Daniel Alicea will be remembered as a stalwart of the boxing world, especially in the featherweight and junior lightweight divisions. His resilience, determination, and sportsmanship serve as an inspiration for future generations of boxers.