Eder Jofre, from São Paulo, champion of the bantamweights and feathers, is internationally recognized as one of the best boxers in the entire history of boxing. In the years he fought, there were fewer weight classes and belts, which made it a more difficult task to be a world champion. The Brazilian boxing star died in the early hours of Sunday (2), at the age of 86, in Embu das Artes, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo.
According to his family, the former athlete suffered a sepsis and acute kidney failure. When discussing the weight category in which Eder won his first world belt, that of 'roosters' ( bantamweight), whose limit extends to 53,534 kilos, the Brazilian fighter is widely regarded as the best in history. No wonder he is known as "The Golden Rooster".
A product of the Jofre-Zumbano clan, a family that produced 28 boxers, he combined technique with a firm grip that he used to knock out his opponents using either hand. He had reflex, speed, defense, "chin", intelligence to adapt, and courage.
He could afford to choose between acting with finesse or "fighting", he mastered the art of punishing the body of opponents, dodged and counterpunched with mastery. In his 38th fight, Eder, who was coached by his father, "Kid" Jofre, won the World Boxing Association bantamweight title (then National Boxing Association) on November 18, 1960, by knocking out Mexican Eloy Sanchez in six rounds in Los Angeles, USA.
Translated by Cassy Dias