He lost the title on May 14, 1952 against Lauro Salas at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles in a fifteen-round split decision that was a jarring upset for many. The decision was a controversial one, and many boxing writers disagreed with the official' final ruling for Sales."Mexico's Lauro Sales Pounds Out Upset Win Over Champion" Denton Record-Chronicle, Denton, Texas, pg. 9, 15 May 1952
