Nicolino Locche

Nicolino Locche (September 2, 1939 – September 7, 2005) was an Argentine boxer from Tunuyán, Mendoza. He was of Italian origin, with his ancestors coming from Sardinia.< Locche is often cited as one of the finest defensive boxers of all time.

Locche was known as "El Intocable" ("The Untouchable") due to his defensive mastery, and became Light Welterweight World Champion in Tokyo, Japan on December 12, 1968, after defeating Paul Takeshi Fuji by technical knockout after Fuji refused to start the 10th round out of frustration because of exhaustion and his inability to connect punches on "The Untouchable," according to the Argentine boxing commentators' recount of the bout (Dotora, 2004).

Locche became an idol in Argentina and routinely sold out the Luna Park, Buenos Aires every time he fought at the well known boxing arena. His boxing style made him a legend. He possessed uncanny reflexes that allowed him to stand in front of his opponents with his hands literally at his sides, behind his back or even resting on his knees as he slipped, bobbed and weaved to avoid his opponent’s punches. Unfortunately Locche's outstanding defensive skills were not equally matched by his offensive response, as he was not generally considered to be a powerful puncher.

Numerous Argentine sources also cite the fact that Locche's approach towards submitting himself to traditional boxing training and discipline was sometimes lackadaisical. For example, Locche was a known habitual cigarette smoker throughout most if not all of his boxing career and his adherence to the strict dietary requirements of his trade was often quite flexible.

Locche defended his title six times, against Carlos Hernandez, Joao Henrique, Adolph Pruitt, Antonio Cervantes and Domingo Barrera Corpas, to lose it in Panama to Alfonso Frazier on March 10, 1972. Locche failed to regain the World Champion belt in a rematch with Cervantes (a.k.a., Kid Pambelé) and retired in 1975.

He was champion of Mendoza, Argentina, and South American lightweight and Jr. welterweight. He debuted at the age of 9, and his amateur record was 117-5-0. Locche turned professional at the age of 19 and amassed a record of 117-4-14 (14 KOs). He was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003. The Ring has retrospectively certified him as lineal Junior Welterweight champion from 1968 to 1972.

Locche died in Las Heras in 2005.