Kid Moro

Kid Moro
Personal information
NicknameLove Me Tonight
BornSevero Bascon
WeightLightweight
Light welterweight
Welterweight
Boxing career
Boxing record
Total fights82
Wins50
Win by KO6
Losses14
Draws17
No contests1

Kid Moro (born Severo Bascon) was a Filipino professional boxer from 1919 to 1938. He held the Orient and Hawaii State titles at both lightweight and welterweight at various points between 1928 and 1938.

Personal life

Moro was from Cebu, Philippines. He was married to Agnes Uyetake, a Hawaii-born woman of Japanese descent. The couple had two sons, Severo Bascon Jr. and Abraham Bascon, both of whom later lived in the United States and worked as masons. Abraham also served as a pastor for more than 50 years.

Conviction

Following World War II, Moro was charged with treason for allegedly assisting Japanese forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. He was accused of working with the Japanese military police in Cebu, including helping identify and apprehend members of the Filipino resistance. Moro was convicted by the People's Court and sentenced to life imprisonment and a ₱1,000 fine. His conviction and sentence were upheld by the Supreme Court of the Philippines on March 29, 1949.

Boxing career

Moro began his professional career with consecutive bouts against future world flyweight champion Pancho Villa, losing both by knockout.

On December 5, 1925, Johnny Hill defeated Moro for the vacant Orient lightweight title. Moro then outpointed future world middleweight champion Ceferino Garcia over 12 rounds before facing Kid Johnson in a bout originally scheduled for the Orient featherweight title. After both fighters failed to make weight, the title was taken off the line, and Moro comfortably outpointed Johnson over 12 rounds.

Moro and Ceferino Garcia met in a rematch on April 28, 1928, this time with Garcia's Orient welterweight title at stake. Moro again prevailed, defeating Garcia on points over 12 rounds to capture the title. On April 16, 1932, Moro defeated Ignacio Fernandez to capture the Orient lightweight title. The two met twice more in succession, with Moro successfully defending both his Orient lightweight and welterweight titles in their third and final meeting.

On November 3, 1933, Moro faced future three-division world champion Henry Armstrong in a non-title bout in Pismo Beach, California. After the referee awarded Armstrong the decision, spectators protested the ruling and stormed the ring, believing Moro had won the fight. The two subsequently met in rematches in Stockton and Watsonville, both of which ended in draws.

On March 14, 1934, Moro challenged another three-division world champion, Barney Ross, for the world light welterweight title in Oakland, California, losing by decision over ten rounds.

Having already defeated Fred Rico Merino twice, Moro faced him for a third time on October 18, 1935, knocking him out in the first round of a scheduled ten-round bout to win the Hawaii welterweight title. On January 17, 1936, Moro faced Tony Roccaforte in the first of their five meetings, all of which Moro would win. After a back-and-forth opening four rounds, Moro took control in the fifth, throwing caution to the wind and battering Roccaforte with crisp rights and lefts to the head and body. Sensing he was behind, Roccaforte opened up in the final round and swung wildly for a knockout, but Moro met him punch for punch, concentrating his attack on the body en route to a points victory.

After their first match ended in a draw, Moro and Sonny Valdez had a rematch on January 31, 1936, with Moro outpointing Valdez over eight rounds for the Hawaii lightweight title. On September 18, Moro faced Bobby Pacho in a rematch, several years after Pacho had knocked him out with what many fans regarded as a lucky punch. Moro left little doubt in their second meeting, winning the decision by a wide margin after nearly sweeping every round.

On September 17, 1937, Moro earned a one-sided unanimous decision over Tommy Jones in ten rounds. He cut Jones' lip in the fifth round, nearly knocked him down in the seventh, and knocked out his mouthpiece three times during the bout. In his final professional bout on May 21, 1938, Moro faced Kid Vicente for the vacant Orient welterweight title, defeating him on points at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, Philippines, to capture the title.

Moro retired from professional boxing in 1938 with a career record of 50 wins, 14 losses, 17 draws, and one no contest.

Professional boxing record

82 fights 50 wins 14 losses
By knockout 6 5
By decision 44 9
Draws 17
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
82 Win 50–14–17 (1) Kid Vicente PTS 10 May 21, 1938 Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Philippines Won vacant Orient welterweight title
81 Win 49–14–17 (1) California Joe Rivers PTS 10 Jan 28, 1938 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
80 Win 48–14–17 (1) Buenaventura de Guzman PTS 10 Jan 7, 1938 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
79 Win 47–14–17 (1) Chief Crazy Horse PTS 8 Dec 3, 1937 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
78 Win 46–14–17 (1) Tommy Jones UD 10 Sep 17, 1937 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
77 Win 45–14–17 (1) Red Farmer PTS 8 Sep 10, 1937 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
76 Loss 44–14–17 (1) Johnny Di Sopa PTS 6 Jun 11, 1937 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
75 Draw 44–13–17 (1) Baby Johnson PTS 10 Mar 12, 1937 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
74 Draw 44–13–16 (1) Baby Tiger Flowers PTS 8 Dec 18, 1936 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
73 Draw 44–13–15 (1) Baby Tiger Flowers PTS 8 Nov 14, 1936 Kekaha Stadium, Kekaha, Kauai, Hawaii, U.S.
72 Win 44–13–14 (1) Hoyt Jones PTS 8 Oct 17, 1936 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
71 Win 43–13–14 (1) Bobby Pacho PTS 10 Sep 18, 1936 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
70 Draw 42–13–14 (1) Buenaventura de Guzman PTS 10 Sep 11, 1936 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. Retained USA Hawaii State lightweight title
69 Win 42–13–13 (1) Leonard Bennett PTS 10 Aug 15, 1936 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
68 Draw 41–13–13 (1) Leonard Bennett PTS 8 Jul 31, 1936 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
67 Win 41–13–12 (1) Tony Roccaforte PTS 8 Jul 11, 1936 Armory, Lihue, Hawaii, U.S.
66 Win 40–13–12 (1) Tony Roccaforte PTS 8 Jun 19, 1936 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. Retained USA Hawaii State welterweight title
65 Win 39–13–12 (1) Huerta Evans PTS 10 May 29, 1936 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. Retained USA Hawaii State lightweight and welterweight titles
64 Win 38–13–12 (1) Tony Roccaforte PTS 8 Apr 11, 1936 Volcano Arena, Hilo, Hawaii, U.S.
63 Win 37–13–12 (1) Tony Roccaforte PTS 8 Mar 6, 1936 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. Retained USA Hawaii State welterweight title
62 Win 36–13–12 (1) Al Schaff PTS 10 Feb 28, 1936 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
61 Win 35–13–12 (1) Sonny Valdez PTS 8 Jan 31, 1936 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. Won USA Hawaii State lightweight title
60 Win 34–13–12 (1) Tony Roccaforte PTS 8 Jan 17, 1936 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
59 Win 33–13–12 (1) Tod Morgan PTS 10 Nov 15, 1935 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
58 Win 32–13–12 (1) Fred Rico Merino KO 1 (10) Oct 18, 1935 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. Won USA Hawaii State welterweight title
57 Draw 31–13–12 (1) Sonny Valdez PTS 8 Sep 13, 1935 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
56 Win 31–13–11 (1) Packo Pass PTS 6 Sep 6, 1935 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
55 Win 30–13–11 (1) Charlie Miller PTS 8 Aug 2, 1935 Molokai, Hawaii, U.S.
54 Win 29–13–11 (1) Walter Strappel KO 2 (8) Jul 19, 1935 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
53 Win 28–13–11 (1) Mariano Matias PTS 8 Jun 22, 1935 Armory, Lihue, Hawaii, U.S.
52 Win 27–13–11 (1) Ramon Dias PTS 8 Jun 8, 1935 Volcano Arena, Hilo, Hawaii, U.S.
51 Win 26–13–11 (1) Charlie Miller PTS 10 May 17, 1935 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
50 Win 25–13–11 (1) Mark Diaz PTS 10 Mar 26, 1935 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, U.S.
49 Draw 24–13–11 (1) Battling Gizzy PTS 6 Mar 19, 1935 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
48 Draw 24–13–10 (1) Johnny Hines PTS 6 Feb 22, 1935 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
47 Win 24–13–9 (1) Joe Ponce TKO 1 (10) Feb 8, 1935 Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach, California, U.S.
46 Draw 23–13–9 (1) Joe Ghnouly PTS 10 Nov 30, 1934 Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach, California, U.S.
45 Draw 23–13–8 (1) Sammy Brown PTS 10 Sep 25, 1934 Ryan's Auditorium, Fresno, California, U.S.
44 Win 23–13–7 (1) Manuel Villa I PTS 10 Sep 3, 1934 Ryan's Auditorium, Fresno, California, U.S.
43 Win 22–13–7 (1) Sammy Brown PTS 10 Aug 7, 1934 Ryan's Auditorium, Fresno, California, U.S.
42 Draw 21–13–7 (1) Manuel Villa I PTS 10 Jul 26, 1934 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
41 Win 21–13–6 (1) Emil Cody TKO 7 (10) Jul 3, 1934 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, U.S.
40 Win 20–13–6 (1) Emil Cody PTS 8 Jun 11, 1934 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, U.S.
39 Draw 19–13–6 (1) Angus Smith PTS 10 May 29, 1934 Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach, California, U.S.
38 Draw 19–13–5 (1) Henry Armstrong PTS 10 May 4, 1934 Civic Auditorium, Watsonville, California, U.S.
37 Loss 19–13–4 (1) Barney Ross PTS 10 Mar 14, 1934 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. For world light welterweight title
36 Win 19–12–4 (1) Ah Wing Lee PTS 6 Feb 20, 1934 Crystal Pool, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
35 Win 18–12–4 (1) Ritchie Thomas KO 4 (10) Feb 9, 1934 Imperial Valley A.C., El Centro, California, U.S.
34 Loss 17–12–4 (1) Henry Woods PTS 8 Jan 16, 1934 Crystal Pool, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
33 Win 17–11–4 (1) Angus Smith PTS 10 Jan 1, 1934 Civic Auditorium, Watsonville, California, U.S.
32 Loss 16–11–4 (1) Bobby Pacho KO 2 (10) Dec 12, 1933 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
31 Win 16–10–4 (1) Sol Lippo KO 4 (10) Dec 7, 1933 Bakersfield Arena, Bakersfield, California, U.S.
30 Draw 15–10–4 (1) Henry Armstrong PTS 10 Nov 23, 1933 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, U.S.
29 Loss 15–10–3 (1) Henry Armstrong PTS 10 Nov 3, 1933 Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach, California, U.S.
28 Loss 15–9–3 (1) Young Peter Jackson PTS 10 Oct 19, 1933 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
27 Win 15–8–3 (1) Kenny LaSalle PTS 10 Sep 21, 1933 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
26 Win 14–8–3 (1) Fred Rico Merino PTS 10 Aug 12, 1933 Wailuku Stadium, Wailuku, Hawaii, U.S.
25 Win 13–8–3 (1) Baby Tiger Flowers PTS 10 May 26, 1933 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
24 Win 12–8–3 (1) Jimmy Kreiner PTS 10 May 13, 1933 Volcano Arena, Hilo, Hawaii, U.S.
23 Win 11–8–3 (1) Fred Rico Merino PTS 10 Apr 21, 1933 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
22 Win 10–8–3 (1) Johnny Christmas PTS 10 Mar 24, 1933 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
21 Win 9–8–3 (1) Kid Arca PTS 12 Dec 3, 1932 Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines
20 Win 8–8–3 (1) Kid Vicente PTS 12 Oct 29, 1932 Stadium, Cebu City, Philippines
19 NC 7–8–3 (1) Con Cordero NC 9 (12) Sep 3, 1932 Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines
18 Win 7–8–3 Ignacio Fernandez PTS 15 Jul 2, 1932 Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines Retained Orient lightweight and welterweight titles
17 Win 6–8–3 Ignacio Fernandez PTS 12 May 21, 1932 Cebu City, Philippines
16 Win 5–8–3 Ignacio Fernandez PTS 12 Apr 16, 1932 Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines Won Orient lightweight title
15 Loss 4–8–3 Leonard Rahming KO 1 (10) Jul 29, 1931 Bakersfield Arena, Bakersfield, California, U.S.
14 Draw 4–7–3 Irineo Flores PTS 12 Dec 29, 1928 Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines For Orient lightweight title
13 Draw 4–7–2 Irineo Flores PTS 12 Dec 1, 1928 Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines For Orient lightweight title
12 Win 4–7–1 Ceferino Garcia PTS 12 Apr 28, 1928 Manila, Philippines Won Orient welterweight title
11 Win 3–7–1 Kid Johnson PTS 12 Mar 10, 1928 Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines
10 Win 2–7–1 Ceferino Garcia PTS 12 Nov 6, 1926 Manila, Philippines
9 Loss 1–7–1 Johnny Hill PTS 12 Dec 5, 1925 Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines For vacant Orient lightweight title
8 Loss 1–6–1 Pablo Dano PTS 12 Oct 24, 1925 Manila, Philippines
7 Win 1–5–1 Johnny Hill PTS 10 Sep 26, 1925 Cebu, Philippines
6 Draw 0–5–1 Elino Flores PTS 10 Aug 29, 1925 Cebu, Philippines
5 Loss 0–5 Johnny Hill PTS 12 Oct 25, 1924 Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines
4 Loss 0–4 Johnny Hill PTS 12 Aug 31, 1924 Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines
3 Loss 0–3 Taiho TKO 5 (6) Sep 4, 1923 New World Arena, Manila, Philippines
2 Loss 0–2 Pancho Villa KO 3 (?) Feb 7, 1921 Manila, Philippines
1 Loss 0–1 Pancho Villa KO 2 (?) Apr 1, 1919 Manila, Philippines

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "BoxRec: Kid Moro". BoxRec. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Pastor Abraham "Abe" Bascon". farleyfh.com. Archived from the original on May 15, 2026. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Severo Bascon Jr". archives.starbulletin.com. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Agnes Yoshie Ramos". archives.starbulletin.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  5. ↑ "The People of the Philippines, Plaintiff and Appellee, vs. Severo Bascon (alias Kid Moro), Defendant and Appellant". batas.org. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  6. ↑ Oaminal, Clarence Paul (September 12, 2016). "The pre-war star athletes of Cebu (Part II)". philstar.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Orient Lightweight Title". titlehistories.com. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  8. ↑ "The American Chamber of Commerce Journal Vol. 8, No.3 (March 1928)". repository.mainlib.upd.edu.ph. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Kid Moro Outpoints Johnson". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Orient Welterweight Title". titlehistories.com. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  11. ↑ Reft, Ryan (July 9, 2015). "From Villa to Pacquiao: Filipino Boxing in L.A. and the Power of a Transnational Punch". pbssocal.org. Archived from the original on August 20, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Category talk:World Light Welterweight Title Fights". BoxRec. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Draw For Oriental Ex-Champion". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Moro Wins Hawaii Welterweight Title". trove.nla.gov.au. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Moro Beats Roccaforte". hojishinbun.hoover.org. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Kid Moro Early Favorite To Beat Valdez". hojishinbun.hoover.org. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Referee For Big Battle Causes Row". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Kid Moro Beats Bobby Pacho In Auditorium Bout". hojishinbun.hoover.org. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Tommy Jones Loses To Moro On Decision". hojishinbun.hoover.org. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  20. ↑ "The Welterweight Crown". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved October 27, 2026.