Miguel Lora Escudero (born April 12, 1961 in Montería, Córdoba), known as Miguel Lora or "Happy" Lora is a Colombian boxer. He reigned as the WBC bantamweight champion of the world from 1985 to 1988.

Beginnings and world title

Lora started training in his native Montería and eventually represented his home department. In 1977 he won a gold medal in a local tournament. From 1980 to 1983 he won several national and regional titles. On August 9, 1985 he got his first chance to fight for the championship against Mexican Daniel Zaragoza. Lora defeated Zaragoza to become the fifth Colombian champion.

Memorable bouts

After the world title, Lora fought Puerto Rican

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. He defended his belt eight times and fought boxers such as

Alberto Davila Alberto is the Romance version of the Latinized form (''Albertus'') of Germanic ''Albert''. It is used in Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. The diminutive forms are ''Albertito'' in Spain or ''Albertico'' in some parts of Latin America, Albertin ...

Antonio Avelar Jose Antonio Rodríguez Avelar (born August 25, 1958) is a Mexican former professional boxer in the flyweight division. He is a former WBC and Lineal flyweight Champion. Professional career In August 1980, Avelar won his first NABF Championshi ...

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, Lucio Omar López, until he lost against Raúl "Jíbaro" Pérez. During the three years that Miguel "Happy" Lora kept his title, he was known for his defensive, methodical style.

Retirement

After his loss to Raúl "Jíbaro" Pérez, he fought for a world title against

Gaby Canizales Jose 'Gaby' Canizales (born May 1, 1960) is an American former professional boxer who won the Lineal championship in the bantamweight division. Early life Canizales was born in Laredo in Webb County, Texas. Pro career Canizales turned pro in 19 ...

, who won by knockout and eventually dislodged Lora's fifth cervical vertebrae. Miguel "Happy" Lora decided to retire form boxing in 1993 and since then he has been living in his native Montería, dedicated to personal business, TV shows and soap operas.

References

External links

* * 1961 births Living people Colombian people of Spanish descent Bantamweight boxers World boxing champions World bantamweight boxing champions World Boxing Council champions People from Montería Colombian male boxers {{Colombia-boxing-bio-stub