Alfredo Escalera

Alfredo Escalera, known as El Salsero, born March 21, 1952, is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer and the former WBC super featherweight world champion. A native of Carolina, he was nicknamed Salsero because he was a fan of salsa music. He and his nephew Jesus Manuel Escalera are 2023 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame inductees. He had his first professional bout on September 4, 1970, against Bob Payzant in Portland and won by a knockout in round four. He suffered his first defeat in his third fight, to Doug McClendon on a six round decision in New York in January 1971, and early in his career lost to the future world title challengers Edwin Viruet, Diego Alcala and Miguel Montilla before avenging the Montilla defeat by knockout in 1973.