Boxing in The 1970s - 1978

1978

• January 21- The third and final chapter of the Duran-De Jesus trilogy, as Roberto Durán re-unifies his WBA world Lightweight championship with the WBC one, defeating Esteban De Jesús by a knockout in round twelve at Las Vegas. Duran had been stripped of his WBC belt for failing to meet Itshimatzu Suzuki in a world championship bout, Suzuki later won the WBC title and lost it to De Jesus.
• January 28- Alexis Argüello wins the second of three world titles, knocking out WBC world Jr. Lightweight champion Alfredo Escalera in thirteen rounds in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
• February 15- Leon Spinks, a novice who had had only had seven professional fights, wins the undisputed world Heavyweight championship, defeating Muhammad Ali by a fifteen round split decision, in Las Vegas.
• March 18- Recognition of World Heavyweight Champion Leon Spinks is withdrawn by the World Boxing Council after Spinks elected to fight Muhammad Ali in a rematch rather than face the organization's #1 contender, Ken Norton. In an unprecedented step, the WBC immediately announces its recognition of Norton as champion, and orders him to fight the highest ranked contender available (Larry Holmes) not later than June 17.
• April 15- Eusebio Pedroza begins his record-setting championship run as WBA world Featherweight champion, knocking out Cecilio Lastra in thirteen rounds at Panama City, Panama.
• May 20- José Cuevas retains his WBA world welterweight title with a first round knockout of former world champion Billy Backus in Inglewood.
• June 9- Larry Holmes becomes the WBC's third World Heavyweight champion in four months by defeating Ken Norton by a fifteen round split decision.
• September 15- Muhammad Ali makes history, becoming the first boxer to be world Heavyweight champion three times, by beating novice Leon Spinks by a fifteen round unanimous decision at their New Orleans rematch.
• October 28- In an eagerly anticipated bout, Wilfredo Gómez delivers what many consider the greatest victory ever by a Puerto Rican boxer, knocking out Carlos Zarate in five rounds to retain the WBC world Super Bantamweight title, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• November 10- Larry Holmes retains his WBC world Heavyweight title with a seventh round knockout over Uruguayan Alfredo Evangelista, in Las Vegas.