Retired Professional Hall of Fame (Nicaragua) Featherweight • Southpaw

VICENTE “YAMBITO” BLANCO

A Nicaraguan featherweight southpaw known for fearless matchmaking across Central America and beyond — remembered for titles, historic road wins, and lasting legacy.

Read the Story → Record & Fights

PRO RECORD

KOs

Bouts

Rounds

Biography

The Story

From León to the international stage — titles at home, big fights abroad, and recognition that placed him among Nicaragua’s historic boxing names.

Built in León. Proven everywhere.

Vicente Yambito Blanco training in boxing camp, León Nicaragua 1970s featherweight southpaw

Born April 3, 1949 in the Guadalupe neighborhood of León, Nicaragua, he studied at Instituto Simón Bolívar and began boxing in the school of Carlos Brisuela. He debuted in 1969, first in León and later in Managua after early successes.

In 1970 he won the National Championship, and in 1971 he captured the Central American Championship. In 1972, a knockout win helped place him in world rankings for a period — a rare level of international visibility for a Nicaraguan featherweight of the era.

BornApr 3, 1949

Debut1969

StanceSouthpaw

HometownLeon, Nicaragua

Official Links

BoxRec profile Facebook Salón de la Fama

Signature Moment

Mexico City Victory — 1974

A defining international triumph in November 1974, when Vicente “Yambito” Blanco defeated Octavio Gomez at the historic Arena Coliseo in Mexico City. The victory carried added weight, coming just three months after a controversial disqualification against Jesus Estrada despite dominating all ten rounds.

Returning to Mexico with unfinished business, Blanco secured a decisive win on hostile soil — a major achievement that cemented his reputation as a fearless competitor abroad and solidified this chapter as a cornerstone of his Hall of Fame legacy.

Result: Win Method: Decision Location: Mexico City

82.35%

KO win rate

195

Rounds

Chronology

Timeline

Key milestones and legacy moments.

1949

Born in León, Nicaragua

April 3, 1949. Early life, studies, and entry into boxing in León.

1969

Debuts in León and Managua

Early fights in León; later a Managua debut after strong local performances.

1970

National Champion

Wins the Nicaraguan National Championship by decision.

1971

Central American Champion

Captures the Central American Championship; competes internationally.

1972

World-ranking recognition

Momentum from major wins places him in world rankings for a period.

2003

Hall of Fame induction

Inducted into Nicaragua’s Sports Hall of Fame (May 6, 2003).

2024

Alexis Argüello Municipal Order for Sporting Excellence

Awarded the Alexis Argüello Municipal Order recognizing outstanding contribution to sport and boxing in Managua.

Numbers

Professional Record & Fight History

Official totals plus selected notable bouts.

17–13–2

14 KOs • 32 bouts • 195 rounds • 1967–1979

Featherweight Southpaw Inactive Debut: 1967-11-04

Birth nameBenito Inocente Blanco Berríos

NationalityNicaragua

Birth placeLeón, Nicaragua

ResidenceManagua, Nicaragua

DivisionFeatherweight

StanceSouthpaw

Selected Fight History

Year

Opponent

Result

Method

Location

1972

Miguel Riasco

Win

KO (R6)

Masaya, Nicaragua

1974

Octavio Gómez

Win

—

Mexico City, Mexico

1975

Art Hafey

Loss

—

Inglewood, CA, USA

The Fights History Didn’t Record

Beyond the official record, Vicente 'Yambito' Blanco often spoke of additional bouts fought throughout Central America and Nicaragua that were never formally documented. In an era when records relied on local commissions and newspaper archives, many results were never preserved.

According to Blanco, he won the majority of those contests — a reminder that the official numbers tell only part of his story.

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

Latin America Year-End Issue 1974

RING MUNDIAL
MAGAZINE COVER • 1974

In 1974, Vicente “Yambito” Blanco was featured on the cover of Ring Mundial, Issue No. 529 – Resumen 74, a prestigious year-end boxing edition distributed across Latin America.

At a time when recognition came not from algorithms, but from performance inside the ring, appearing on a magazine cover represented elite status. There was no social media. No digital campaigns. No viral highlights.

Being selected as the face of a 1974 summary issue confirmed Yambito’s standing among the most respected fighters of his era in the 118- and 126-pound divisions.

This cover stands as historical proof of his international visibility and lasting impact on professional boxing during the 1960s and 1970s.

IssueNo. 529

EditionResumen 74

Divisions118 & 126

RegionLatin America

Scan the Cover →

Vicente Yambito Blanco Ring Mundial 1974 Cover

Historic Bout

Vicente "Yambito" Blanco vs Art Hafey

A defining international fight that placed Yambito on the world stage.

Historic Bout — 1975

This bout represented one of the most important moments of Vicente "Yambito" Blanco's career. Traveling to Inglewood, CA to face Art Hafey exposed Yambito to the international stage and showcased his tenacity and southpaw craft. Watch the full fight below — a compact lesson in strategy, heart, and the era's gritty matchmaking.

Although the result did not go in his favor, the match stands as proof of the level at which Yambito competed — accepting elite opposition abroad, under pressure, and far from home.

Today, the bout is remembered not as a loss, but as a testament to courage, ambition, and the willingness to chase greatness at the world level.

Map

Fight Locations

Where Vicente “Yambito” Blanco fought — click markers for details.

Beyond the Ring

Passion, Billiards & Radio

Life outside boxing — sports, craft, and the voice that kept fans informed.

A natural competitor at the table

Vicente Yambito Blanco playing billiards - professional billiards player and boxer Nicaragua

Beyond boxing, VICENTE “YAMBITO” BLANCO was a man of many passions. He was an avid billiards player, achieving first place on several occasions in local and national tournaments, demonstrating the same precision and concentration that defined him in the ring.

His dedication to sport extended beyond physical contests — the focus and discipline he applied to billiards mirrored his approach to training and competition, earning respect off the canvas as well.

Recognition

Legacy and Recognition

Honors and civic recognition reaffirm Yambito’s place in Nicaragua’s sporting memory.

Municipal Honor • 2024

Alexis Arguello Municipal Order

Recognition for Sporting Excellence

The Honorable Municipal Council of Managua, Nicaragua, on June 28, 2024, unanimously approved the awarding of the Alexis Arguello Municipal Order for sporting excellence, honoring the legacy of three-time world champion Alexis Arguello.

Among the distinguished figures recognized was Vicente “Yambito” Blanco, a pride of Leon whose impact in the 118- and 126-pound divisions defined an era of Nicaraguan boxing.

Year2024

CityManagua

HonorMunicipal Order