Carlos Ortiz (boxer)

Carlos Ortiz (September 9, 1936 – June 13, 2022) was a Puerto Rican professional boxer. He held world titles in lightweight and light welterweight weight divisions. Along with Félix Trinidad, Miguel Cotto, Wilfredo Gómez, Héctor Camacho, José Torres, Edwin Rosario and Wilfred Benítez, Ortiz is considered among the best Puerto Rican boxers of all time by sports journalists and analysts.[1] As of January 2018, Ortiz holds the record for the most wins in unified lightweight title bouts in boxing history at 10.

Carlos Ortiz
Ortiz c. 1966
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach70 in (178 cm)
NationalityPuerto Rican
Born(1936-09-09)September 9, 1936
Ponce, Puerto Rico
DiedJune 13, 2022(2022-06-13) (aged 85)
New York City, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights70
Wins61
Wins by KO30
Losses7
Draws1
No contests1
External audio
audio icon You may hear Carlos Ortiz vs Kenny Lane II on YouTube

In 1991, Ortiz was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. In 2002, Ortiz was voted by The Ring magazine as the 60th greatest fighter of the last 80 years.[2] He held 21st place in BoxRec ranking of the greatest pound for pound boxers of all time.[3]

Boxing career

Ortiz, born in Ponce, started his professional career in 1955 with a first round knockout of Harry Bell in New York City. He moved from Puerto Rico to New York before he began boxing as a professional, he would campaign there during the first stages of his career. After 9 bouts there, he fought outside New York for the first time, moving to Massachusetts to knock Al Duarte out in 4 rounds. His next 3 bouts were also outside New York, but he stayed within the confines of New England, as they happened, once again in Massachusetts, and in New Jersey.

He returned to New York again and won 4 more bouts in a row, then made his California debut, beating Mickey Northrup by a decision in 10 rounds. 2 more fights in California and one in New York went by, after which he returned to California to meet Lou Filippo, who was subsequently inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame as a referee. The first time, it was declared a no-contest after 9 rounds, but in the second, Carlos prevailed, by a knockout in 9. 5 more wins followed, and then he met Johnny Busso, who handed Carlos his first loss, on a 10-round decision. That fight was held in New York, and in an immediate rematch between Ortiz and Busso, Carlos won, also by a 10-round decision, and also in New York.

Next Carlos flew to England to meet Dave Charnley, who was considered one of the top challengers of that time. Ortiz won the fight at Harringay Arena on a 10-round decision, after which promoters thought he was ready for a world title try.

Junior welterweight world champion

Carlos met Kenny Lane for the vacant world Jr. Welterweight title, in New York on the night of 12 June 1959. Lane had handed Carlos his second loss months before, winning a 10-round decision over Ortiz in Florida. This time, Carlos became the World's Jr Welterweight champion, with a TKO of Lane at the end of 2nd round.[4] Ortiz became the first Puerto Rican world boxing champion since Sixto Escobar more than 30 years before, and only the second Puerto Rican world boxing champion ever. Unfortunately for him, not much importance was being given to that division at the time, since that division's title had been vacant for 13 years. But Carlos defended his title twice, knocking out the respected, until then undefeated Mexican puncher Battling Torres in Torres' home ground of Los Angeles, and beating Duilio Loi in 15 rounds by decision at San Francisco.

His next fight was a rematch with Loi, and it took Ortiz to Milan, Italy to defend his crown. This time, it was Loi's turn to become a world champion, winning by a 15-round decision.

After another win, Ortiz traveled to Milan once again, and met Loi in a rubber match. This time, he lost again, by 15-round decision.

Lightweight world champion

Instead of going up in weight, like most boxers throughout history have done after losing the title in their original division, Ortiz went down in weight, and challenged world champion Joe Brown (also a member of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame). Ortiz won a 15-round decision over Brown on 21 April 1962 in Las Vegas, to win his second world title, this time in his second championship division. Ortiz defended with a 5-round knockout of Teruo Kosaka in Tokyo before making his Puerto Rican debut, with a 13-round knockout win over Doug Valiant to retain his title on 7 April 1963 in San Juan.

A knockout win in 14 rounds over another Hall of Famer, Gabriel Elorde, Flash in the Philippines followed, and then a rematch with Lane, this time Ortiz retaining his world Lightweight title with a 15-round decision in San Juan. But in 1965 he went to Panama and fought yet another member of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame, Ismael Laguna who defeated him in 15 rounds to claim Ortiz's world Lightweight title. A rematch in San Juan followed, and Ortiz regained the world Lightweight title beating Laguna by a 15-round decision also.

1966 saw Ortiz draw with world Jr Welterweight champion Nicolino Locche in a ten-round non-title affair in Argentina, and retain his title vs Johnny Bizarro (KO in 12 in Pittsburgh), Cuban Sugar Ramos (another International Boxing Hall Of Fame Member, KO in 5 rounds in Mexico City), and Filipino Flash Elorde, also by KO in 14 at a New York rematch. The Ramos fight proved controversial, because the WBC's president proclaimed at first that the punch with which Ortiz had beaten Ramos had been illegal, but he later reconsidered and gave Ortiz the title, and the knockout victory, back, with the condition that a rematch be fought in the future.

And so 1967 came, and Ortiz and Ramos met once again, this time in San Juan. Ortiz retained the title by a knockout in 4 rounds, and this time the bout went without any controversies. Then, he and Laguna fought a third time, and Ortiz retained his title by a 15-round decision in New York.

Later career

29 June 1968 proved to be Ortiz's last day as a world champion, as he lost his world lightweight title to Dominican Carlos Cruz on a 15-round decision in the Dominican Republic. Ortiz kept on fighting, but he never got another chance at a world title. He retired after losing at Madison Square Garden by a knockout in 6 rounds to Ken Buchanan. It was the only time he was stopped in his career. His final record was of 61 wins, 7 losses and 1 draw, with one bout declared a no-contest and 30 knockout wins.

Ortiz is also a member of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame and he always enjoyed taking photos with his fans and signing autographs for them.

Death

Carlos Ortiz died on June 13, 2022, in New York at age 85.[5]

Professional boxing record

70 fights 61 wins 7 losses
By knockout 30 1
By decision 31 6
Draws 1
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
70 Loss 61–7–1 (1) Ken Buchanan RTD 6 (10) Sep 20, 1972 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
69 Win 61–6–1 (1) Johnny Copeland KO 3 (10) Aug 1, 1972 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
68 Win 60–6–1 (1) Gerardo Ferrat TKO 3 (10) Jun 3, 1972 International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
67 Win 59–6–1 (1) Greg Potter UD 10 May 1, 1972 Inglewood Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
66 Win 58–6–1 (1) Junior Varney TKO 7 (10) Mar 20, 1972 Ponce, Puerto Rico
65 Win 57–6–1 (1) Leo DiFiore KO 2 (10) Feb 19, 1972 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
64 Win 56–6–1 (1) Ivelaw Eastman TKO 2 (10) Jan 31, 1972 Waltham, Massachusetts, U.S.
63 Win 55–6–1 (1) Terry Rondeau TKO 4 (10) Jan 20, 1972 Exposition Building, Portland, Maine, U.S.
62 Win 54–6–1 (1) Bill Whittenburg KO 7 (10) Jan 8, 1972 Coconut Grove Convention Center, Coconut Grove, Florida, U.S.
61 Win 53–6–1 (1) Jimmy Ligons TKO 3 (10) Dec 1, 1971 Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
60 Win 52–6–1 (1) Edmundo Leite MD 10 Nov 21, 1969 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
59 Loss 51–6–1 (1) Carlos Teo Cruz SD 15 Jun 29, 1968 Estadio Quisqueya, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Lost WBA, WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
58 Win 51–5–1 (1) Ismael Laguna UD 15 Aug 16, 1967 Shea Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
57 Win 50–5–1 (1) Sugar Ramos TKO 4 (15) Jul 1, 1967 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBA and The Ring lightweight titles
Won vacant WBC lightweight title
56 Win 49–5–1 (1) Flash Elorde TKO 14 (15) Nov 28, 1966 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained WBA and The Ring lightweight titles
55 Win 48–5–1 (1) Sugar Ramos TKO 5 (15) Oct 22, 1966 El Toreo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring lightweight titles
54 Win 47–5–1 (1) Johnny Bizzarro TKO 12 (15) Jun 20, 1966 Pittsburgh Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring lightweight titles
53 Draw 46–5–1 (1) Nicolino Locche MD 10 Apr 7, 1966 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
52 Win 46–5 (1) Ismael Laguna UD 15 Nov 13, 1965 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring lightweight titles
51 Loss 45–5 (1) Ismael Laguna MD 15 Apr 10, 1965 Estadio Nacional de Panamá, Panama City, Panama Lost WBA, WBC, and The Ring lightweight titles
50 Win 45–4 (1) Dick Divola TKO 1 (10) Dec 14, 1964 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
49 Win 44–4 (1) Kenny Lane UD 15 Apr 11, 1964 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring lightweight titles
48 Win 43–4 (1) Flash Elorde TKO 14 (15) Feb 15, 1964 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring lightweight titles
47 Win 42–4 (1) Maurice Cullen PTS 10 Oct 22, 1963 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
46 Win 41–4 (1) Pete Acera TKO 7 (10) Sep 18, 1963 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
45 Win 40–4 (1) Doug Vaillant TKO 13 (15) Apr 7, 1963 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBA and The Ring lightweight titles;
Won vacant WBC lightweight title
44 Win 39–4 (1) Teruo Kosaka KO 5 (15) Dec 3, 1962 Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan Retained NYSAC, WBA, and The Ring lightweight titles
43 Win 38–4 (1) Kazuo Takayama UD 10 Nov 7, 1962 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
42 Win 37–4 (1) Arthur Persley UD 10 Aug 1, 1962 Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
41 Win 36–4 (1) Joe Brown UD 15 Apr 21, 1962 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles
40 Win 35–4 (1) Paolo Rosi UD 10 Nov 18, 1961 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
39 Win 34–4 (1) Doug Vaillant UD 10 Sep 2, 1961 Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
38 Loss 33–4 (1) Duilio Loi UD 15 May 10, 1961 San Siro, Milan, Lombarida, Italy For NYSAC and NBA light welterweight titles
37 Win 33–3 (1) Cisco Andrade UD 10 Feb 2, 1961 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
36 Loss 32–3 (1) Duilio Loi MD 15 Sep 1, 1960 San Siro, Milan, Lombardio, Italy Lost NYSAC and NBA light welterweight titles
35 Win 32–2 (1) Duilio Loi SD 15 Jun 15, 1960 Cow Palace, San Francisco, California Retained NYSAC and NBA light welterweight titles
34 Win 31–2 (1) Battling Torres KO 10 (15) Feb 4, 1960 Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained NYSAC and NBA light welterweight titles
33 Win 30–2 (1) Kenny Lane TKO 2 (15) Jun 12, 1959 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Won vacant NYSAC and NBA light welterweight titles
32 Win 29–2 (1) Len Matthews TKO 6 (10) Apr 13, 1959 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
31 Loss 28–2 (1) Kenny Lane MD 10 Dec 31, 1958 Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
30 Win 28–1 (1) Dave Charnley PTS 10 Oct 28, 1958 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.
29 Win 27–1 (1) Johnny Busso UD 10 Sep 19, 1958 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
28 Loss 26–1 (1) Johnny Busso SD 10 Jun 27, 1958 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
27 Win 26–0 (1) Joey Lopes UD 10 May 9, 1958 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
26 Win 25–0 (1) Tommy Tibbs UD 10 Feb 28, 1958 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
25 Win 24–0 (1) Harry Bell UD 10 Sep 23, 1957 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
24 Win 23–0 (1) Felix Chiocca UD 10 May 29, 1957 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
23 Win 22–0 (1) Ike Vaughn UD 10 May 7, 1957 Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
22 Win 21–0 (1) Lou Filippo TKO 7 (10) Apr 9, 1957 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
21 NC 20–0 (1) Lou Filippo ND 9 (10) Mar 2, 1957 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 Bobby Rogers UD 10 Jan 23, 1957 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 Gale Kerwin UD 10 Dec 31, 1956 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Philip Kim TKO 9 (10) Dec 15, 1956 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Mickey Northrup UD 10 Oct 27, 1956 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Tommy Salem SD 10 Jul 30, 1956 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Tommy Salem PTS 6 May 25, 1956 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Ray Portilla PTS 8 Feb 17, 1956 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Ray Portilla UD 8 Jan 9, 1956 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Charley Titone TKO 2 (8) Dec 10, 1955 Armory, Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Lem Miller PTS 8 Nov 12, 1955 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Al Duarte TKO 4 (6) Oct 29, 1955 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Leroy Graham KO 2 (6) Oct 3, 1955 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Hector Rodriguez KO 2 (6) Sep 19, 1955 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Armand Bush PTS 6 Aug 22, 1955 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Tony DeCola PTS 6 Aug 10, 1955 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Jimmy DeMura PTS 6 Jun 24, 1955 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Juan Pacheco KO 2 (4) May 30, 1955 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Danny Roberts KO 3 (4) May 13, 1955 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Morris Hodnett TKO 1 (4) Feb 28, 1955 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Harry Bell KO 1 (4) Feb 14, 1955 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.

Legacy

He is recognized at Ponce's Parque de los Ponceños Ilustres in the area of sports.[6]

See also

References

Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by NYSAC light welterweight champion
June 12, 1959 – September 1, 1960
Succeeded by
Preceded by NBA light welterweight champion
June 12, 1959 – September 1, 1960
Inaugural Undisputed light welterweight champion
June 12, 1959 – September 1, 1960
Preceded by NYSAC lightweight champion
August 21, 1962 – April 7, 1963
Won inaugural WBC title
Title discontinued
NBA lightweight champion
August 21, 1962 – April 20, 1965
Became WBA in 1962
Succeeded by
The Ring lightweight champion
August 21, 1962 – April 20, 1965
Undisputed lightweight champion
August 21, 1962 – April 20, 1965
Inaugural WBC lightweight champion
April 7, 1963 – April 20, 1965
Preceded by
Ismael Laguna
WBA lightweight champion
November 13, 1965 – June 29, 1968
Succeeded by
WBC lightweight champion
November 13, 1965 – October 25, 1966
Stripped
Vacant
Title next held by
Himself
The Ring lightweight champion
November 13, 1965 – June 29, 1968
Succeeded by
Carlos Cruz
Undisputed lightweight champion
November 13, 1965 – October 25, 1966
Titles fragmented
Vacant
Title next held by
Himself
Vacant
Title last held by
Himself
WBC lightweight champion
July 1, 1967 – June 29, 1968
Succeeded by
Carlos Cruz
Undisputed lightweight champion
July 1, 1967 – June 29, 1968
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