Cabrera Fights at the Olympic Tonight

David (Maceton) Cabrera, who didn’t take up boxing until he was disabled in a motorcycle accident seven years ago, will continue his remarkable if not entirely successful career at the Olympic Auditorium tonight.

Cabrera, 40, a folk hero to his countrymen because of his stiff-legged style in the ring and his distinctive appearance outside it, is Mexico’s off-and-on light-heavyweight champion.

Cabrera, who will fight Ramon Perez of the Dominican Republic in tonight’s main event, was a motorcycle policeman in Mexico City until he shattered his knee in an accident. Unable to do police work and without any disability pay, Cabrera was forced to find another career. He picked boxing.

Since then he has compiled a 34-10 record with 31 knockouts. He has won and lost the Mexican title three times, winning it the first time after just five fights. But he is more remarkable for his strange style in the ring than his record. His right leg no longer bends at the knee and, reportedly, when he swings his right hand, the stiff leg follows.

He is also remarkable for his appearance. Maceton, his nickname, means Big Head in Spanish. “He’s like King Kong,” said promoter Don Georgino. “Big, ugly--but gentle.”