Norberto Bravo


Norberto Bravo is an American professional boxer, and is a contestant on the ESPN reality show Contender Season 2. Bravo suffers from colorblindness. He currently lives in Tucson, is engaged with four children, and works in construction in addition to boxing.

Early life

Bravo was born in Tucson, Arizona.

Pro career

In the amateur ranks, Bravo posted 120 wins in 130 fights. He became a professional at age 20, and once fought Ishe Smith, a contestant on the first Contender, losing a unanimous decision in 6 rounds at the Orleans Hotel and Casino. His one no-decision came about as both he and the other boxer continued to fight after the closing bell in a 4 round bout.

The Contender

On the show Contender Season 2, Bravo was a member of the Blue Team. He fought in the second contest of the first round, choosing to face Rudy Cisneros due to Cisneros' problems making weight for the upcoming bout. Bravo won a split decision, with judge Max DeLuca scoring 49-46 Bravo, judge Lou Moret scoring 48-47 Cisneros, and judge Fritz Warner scoring 49-46 Bravo.
In the last fight of the second round, Bravo defeated Gary Balletto by unanimous decision. Bravo lost to Grady Brewer in the semifinals, despite knocking Brewer down in the first round. In the bronze medal fight against Cornelius Bundrage, Norberto lost by TKO in the seventh round.
He then went on to a 1st round TKO defeat to Andre Berto.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
48Loss27–18–2 Paweł WolakTKO3, 1:352009-02-21 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USA
47Win27–17–2 Jose Luis CruzMD62008-11-07 Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona, USA
46Win26–17–2 Roberto ValenzuelaRTD3, 3:002008-07-18 Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona, USA
45Loss25–17–2 Freddy HernándezUD122008-04-18 Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona, USAFor vacant IBA Welterweight title.
44Loss25–16–2 Enrique Ornelas7, 3:002008-02-22 Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, USAFor NABF Middleweight title.
43Win25–15–2 Julio PerezKO1, 2:302007-10-11 AVA Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona, USA
42Loss24–15–2 Yori Boy CampasUD102007-08-31 Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona, USAFor vacant IBA Americas Super welterweight title.
41Win24–14–2 Jaime Javier BarahonaTKO3, 2:472007-06-21 AVA Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona, USA
40Loss23–14–2 Andre BertoTKO1, 2:282007-02-17 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, USA
39Win23–13–2 Michael LuceroUD82006-12-08 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, USA
38Loss22–13–2 Cornelius BundrageTKO7, 2:222006-09-26 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
37Loss22–12–2 Grady BrewerMD52006-02-10 Contender Gymnasium, Pasadena, California, USA
36Win22–11–2 Gary BallettoUD52006-02-06 Contender Gymnasium, Pasadena, California, USA
35Win21–11–2 Rudy CisnerosSD52006-01-19 Contender Gymnasium, Pasadena, California, USA
34Loss20–11–2 Ben TackieMD102005-09-23 USC Lyon Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
33Loss20–10–2 Ernesto ZepedaSD122005-07-30 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, USAFor IBA Continental Americas Light welterweight title.
32Loss20–9–2 Demetrius HopkinsUD102005-03-25 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, USA
31NC20–8–2 Victor Manuel Mendoza42005-01-06 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, USABoth fighters were disqualified due to fighting after the final bell, resulting in a NC.
30Win20–8–2 Jesus Abel SantiagoUD102004-11-19 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, USA
29Win19–8–2 Gustavo Corral102004-08-08 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, USA
28Draw18–8–2 Omar BernalSD82004-06-04 Plaza Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USABravo deducted a point for hitting Bernal after knocking him down in the 5th round.
27Win18–8–1 Bradley JensenTKO, 1:272 2004-05-14 Dodge Theater, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
26Win17–8–1 Victor Manuel MendozaUD62004-04-02 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, USA
25Win16–8–1 Anthony SimpkinsTKO1, 2:032004-02-06 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, USA
24Win15–8–1 Julian RomeroUD62003-10-10 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, USA
23Win14–8–1 Sergio Joel De la TorreUD82003-08-01 Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
22Win13–8–1 Frankie SanchezUD82003-06-13 Thunderbird Casino, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
21Win12–8–1 Gerry BalagbaganTKO7, 3:002003-04-04 Colorado Belle, Laughlin, Nevada, USA
20Loss11–8–1 José CelayaUD82003-02-08 Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
19Loss11–7–1 Jose Luis RodriguesUD62002-06-14 Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
18Loss11–6–1 Ramon OlivasUD82002-04-05 Celebrity Theater, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
17Win11–5–1 Jonathan NelsonTKO4, 1:412002-02-22 Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
16Loss10–5–1 Ishe SmithUD62001-12-28 Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
15Loss10–4–1 Joseph BradyUD82001-12-14 Sky City Casino, Acoma, New Mexico, USA
14Loss10–3–1 Ian MacKillopUD62001-09-29 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, USA
13Win10–2–1 Awel AbdulaiUD82001-08-19 New West Night Club, Tucson, Arizona, USA
12Win9–2–1 Danny Laborin42001-04-27 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, USA
11Loss8–2–1 Jose Antonio OcampoKO1 1992-11-09 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, USA
10Win8–1–1 Jose MichaleanKO1 1992-07-19 Tucson, Arizona, USA
9Win7–1–1 Cesar Castillo2 1992-07-07 Wyndham paradise Valley Resort, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
8Win6–1–1 Louis SaucedoTKO4 1992-06-26 Phoenix, Arizona, USA
7Win5–1–1 Armando PimentelTKO4, 2:571992-04-09 Wyndham Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
6Win4–1–1 Prendice RodriguezTKO3 1992-02-21 Pinal County Fairgrounds, Casa Grande, Arizona, USA
5Loss3–1–1 Frank Peña41991-12-19 Hacienda Hotel and Casino, Boulder City, Nevada, USA
4Win3–0–1 Martin NavarreteTKO2 1991-11-06 Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
3Draw2–0–1 Ramon Sanchez41991-09-13 Union Plaza Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
2Win2–0 Justin JuukoTKO2, 2:031991-07-06 Union Plaza Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
1Win1–0 Chris Crespin2, 1:321991-05-08 Riverside Resort & Casino, Laughlin, Nevada, USAProfessional debut