Albert Davila

If someone were to jot down the names of all the boxers 30 and over who still perform at the world-class level, it would be a short list. Maybe not even double digits. One of those few, though, lives on Sheridan Street in Pomona, in a house he bought 10 years ago and where he lives with the same woman he married 13 years ago. In a sport in which heavily promoted stars rise quickly and flame out early, Albert Davila endures. "I'm lucky, in a lot of ways," he said the other day.

This was about bravery, courage and an indomitable spirit in a 5-foot 2-inch 118-pound body, but not of victory. Pomona's Albert Davila, 33, fighting with streams of blood pouring down his face from cuts over both eyes, lost what was probably his final challenge at a world bantamweight championship.

If someone were to jot down the names of all the boxers 30 and over who still perform at the world-class level, it would be a short list. Maybe not even double digits. One of those few, though, lives on Sheridan Street in Pomona, in a house he bought 10 years ago and where he lives with the same woman he married 13 years ago. In a sport in which heavily promoted stars rise quickly and flame out early, Albert Davila endures. "I'm lucky, in a lot of ways," he said the other day.

You look at what Albert Davila has going for him in the dog-beat-dog world of prize fighting and you want to say, "You call yourself a boxer?" He doesn't have a nickname, for starters. His name is actually Alberto, so Albert is sort of a nickname, but that will never do in a sport where everyone is named Bazooka or Boom Boom or Manos de Piedra. What can you call a guy like Davila, whose ring trademark is style rather than explosive power? Manos de Quiche?

This was about bravery, courage and an indomitable spirit in a 5-foot 2-inch 118-pound body, but not of victory. Pomona's Albert Davila, 33, fighting with streams of blood pouring down his face from cuts over both eyes, lost what was probably his final challenge at a world bantamweight championship.

Bantamweight Albert Davila of Pomona faces Edel Geronimo of the Philippines in a 10-round fight tonight at the Irvine Marriott Hotel. Davila, 32, a pro since 1972, has a 52-8 record, which includes a knockout over Frankie Duarte and a decision over Lupe Pintor. In his last fight, Davila dropped a close 12-round decision to Happy Lora in Columbia last November. Tonight's first bout is scheduled for 7:30.

Frankie Duarte, North American Boxing Federation bantamweight champion, will defend his title June 27 in a 12-round bout against Albert Davila, former World Boxing Council bantamweight champion. The fight, which will be televised nationally by CBS, is tentatively set for the Reseda Country Club, although the Forum also is a possibility.

Bantamweight Albert Davila of Pomona faces Edel Geronimo of the Philippines in a 10-round fight tonight at the Irvine Marriott Hotel. Davila, 32, a pro since 1972, has a 52-8 record, which includes a knockout over Frankie Duarte and a decision over Lupe Pintor. In his last fight, Davila dropped a close 12-round decision to Happy Lora in Columbia last November. Tonight's first bout is scheduled for 7:30.

You look at what Albert Davila has going for him in the dog-beat-dog world of prize fighting and you want to say, "You call yourself a boxer?" He doesn't have a nickname, for starters. His name is actually Alberto, so Albert is sort of a nickname, but that will never do in a sport where everyone is named Bazooka or Boom Boom or Manos de Piedra. What can you call a guy like Davila, whose ring trademark is style rather than explosive power? Manos de Quiche?

Albert Davila of Pomona moved a step closer to fighting for the World Boxing Council bantamweight title by winning a technical decision over Juan Estrada of Tijuana, Mexico, Tuesday night at the Forum. Davila, 119, ranked second by the WBC, was awarded the decision after an unintentional butt by Estrada during the third round.