Carlos Palomino vs Everaldo Costa Azevedo

On September 13, 1977, Carlos Palomino defended his WBC welterweight title against Everaldo Costa Azevedo at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. The fight went the complete fifteen rounds, and Palomino won by a unanimous decision. The judges' scorecards reflected his control in the latter part of the fight, with referee Dick Young scoring it 145-140 and judges John Thomas and Vince Delgado giving it to Palomino by wider margins of 147-140 and 147-139, respectively.

The fight started with Azevedo employing a defensive strategy characterized by frequent clinching and evading exchanges, which disrupted Palomino's rhythm early on. Azevedo's tactics frustrated Palomino, as the Brazilian veteran focused more on survival than mounting a serious challenge for the title. It wasn't until after the tenth round that Palomino began to assert his dominance. As the rounds wore on, his body shots began to tell, gradually slowing Azevedo and allowing Palomino to gain a clear lead. While frustrating to the champion, Azevedo's strategy enabled him to go the distance at 33, a feat that highlighted his experience and durability in the sport.

Despite Palomino's decisive win, the bout was less dramatic than his previous title defence against Dave "Boy" Green, where he scored an emphatic knockout. This fight, in contrast, ended in a hard-earned decision, leaving Palomino disappointed with his own performance. In post-fight comments, Palomino expressed frustration with Azevedo's lack of aggression, stating that his opponent's primary goal was surviving the full fifteen rounds rather than vying for the championship.

Palomino's victory netted him a substantial purse of $100,000, while Azevedo, who accepted the fight with a clear strategy of caution, earned $12,500. For Palomino, it was a lesson in the challenges of facing a defensive-minded opponent, and the fight showcased the patience and adaptability required to maintain a title in the face of less-than-cooperative challengers. The event also marked Palomino's debut on national television, which added to his dissatisfaction as he hoped to deliver a more exciting performance for the broader audience.