He began his professional career in the Middleweight division, on January 30, 1977, knocking out
Franklin Suzarra in the first round at
Caracas. After another win over Suzarra, he embarked on a tour of
Mexico and southern
California, having six consecutive fights in those areas from October 1977 to April 1978. In his first fight abroad as a professional, held at
Mexico City, he worked for nine rounds in only his third professional bout before knocking out
Jesus Garcia Ortiz. His second to last fight of that tour was against
Abel Cordoba, whom he beat by a ten-round decision in
Tuxtla Gutierrez on February 27. His last fight on that tour, against
Rudy Robles in
Tijuana on April 3, marked the beginning of a seventeen fight knockout win streak. He knocked out Robles in four rounds. After the fight with Robles, Obelmejias had six consecutive fights in his native
Venezuela, including a win over
Johnny Heard. He then returned to Mexico, to fight for the Fecarbox Middleweight title against
Carlos Marks on December 17 in
Culiacán. He won the regional title, as well as a top ten ranking at the Middleweight division by the
WBC, by knocking Marks out in nine rounds. Obelmejias kept winning fights by
knockouts, and, on March 3, 1980, he got one of the biggest wins of his career, when he beat former WBC world Jr. Middleweight champion
Elisha Obed in three rounds at Caracas. After eight more wins, all by knockout, Obelmejias was made the number one contender for the world Middleweight title by the WBC. When his first chance to become a world champion arrived, on January 17, 1981, many Venezuelans had faith that he would become world champion; his record at the time (30–0 with 28 knockouts) impressed many boxing fans. However, Obelmejias lost for the first time, being handed an eighth-round knockout loss by then world champion
Marvin Hagler in an
HBO Boxing televised fight that took place at the famed
Boston Garden, home of the
NBA basketball's
Boston Celtics. Obelmejias won eight fights in a row, all by knockout, before being given a rematch by Hagler. Among those beaten during that new streak were former world Jr. Middleweight champion
Eddie Gazo, beaten in two rounds in Caracas, future world champion
Chong-Pal Park, knocked out in eight rounds, also in Caracas, and
Alfredo Escalera's cousin,
Reyes Escalera, also beaten in two rounds, in
Barquisimeto. On October 30, 1982, he and Hagler had a rematch which was, once again, shown in the
United States by
HBO. The second time around, Hagler defeated Obelmejias by a knockout in five rounds at
Sanremo, Italy. Both Hagler and Obelmejias fell in love with
Italy and the country's culture. Obelmejias established himself there immediately after the rematch with Hagler. Hagler moved to Italy as soon as he lost the world Middleweight title to
Sugar Ray Leonard in 1987. After his rematch with Hagler, Obelmejias won nine straight bouts before being upset, on July 27, 1985, by
Clarence Osby. Amongst the quality fighters that he defeated during that nine fight winning streak were
Jeff Lampkin, beaten by an eight-round decision,
Jerry Celestine, also beaten over eight rounds, and
Eric Winbush, who was beaten in
Monte Carlo by another eight-round decision. Then, on May 30, 1986, he became the
Caribbean Light-Heavyweight champion, when he outpointed
Tomas Polo Ruiz over ten rounds at
Isla Margarita. He lost the title in his first defense, when he was knocked out by future world champion
Leslie Stewart in four rounds, at
Trinidad and Tobago on November 15, 1986. After one more win, he was given a third try at becoming a world champion, when the Lineal and
WBA Super Middleweight champion, Obelmejias' former rival,
Chong-Pal Park, offered him a shot. The third time proved to be the charm for Obelmejias, when he beat Park by a twelve-round decision on May 23, 1988, at
South Korea. With that win, Obelmejias had fulfilled his lifelong dream; as well as the dream of his fans' of becoming a world champion. His stint as world champion did not last long, however, and he lost the title during his first defense, 370 days after winning it, being knocked out in eleven rounds by
In-Chul Baek, also in South Korea. == Retirement ==