Pozas made his professional wrestling debut in 1985, adopting the ring name El Pantera (Spanish for "the Panther"), an enmascarado who wore a panther-inspired mask and outfit.

[4] La Saetas later lost the Distrito Federal Trios title to Los Metalicos (Oro, Plata and Bronce).

[4] In 1992 Pozas changed his ring character, adopting a colorful yellow, red and blue outfit and mask and the name América as he began working full-time for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL).

[5] On March 8, 1992 América defeated Fuerza Guerrera to win the CMLL World Welterweight Championship, officially moving from the lightweight division (with a weight limit of 70 kg (150 lb)) to the Middleweight division (with a weight limit of 87 kg (192 lb)).

By March 1996 Pantera had decided to leave CMLL and lost the Welterweight title to Super Delfin while on tour in Japan.

[8] Pantera held the title for 157 days in total before being defeated by El Hijo del Gladiador in early 1998.

[2] Only 16 days later Pantera became a double champion as he pinned El Venero to win the IWRG Middleweight title for the third time.