10 best latino boxers

TEN BEST HISPANIC FIGHTERS IN HISTORY!

April 18th, 2011 By Manny Caballero

Duran In His Prime

Miami, FL- To be called “one of greatest in your sport” is the best compliment you give an athlete. That being said, here are a list of past Hispanic boxers that not only were great, but dominated their weight class and some of there accomplishments in the ring have not yet been equaled. These men were considered heroes, they fought with such pride for their people that most have been immortalized in their homeland. We might not all agree in the order I put forth here, but we can all say this group was beyond great.

1) Panama’s Roberto “Manos De Piedra” Duran (104-16-69 KOs) fought from1967-2001, held titles 135 lbs,147, 154 and 160. His career expanded over three decades. Duran was the first Hispanic to win four titles, considered by some the best lightweight (135) ever. “Hands of Stone” held the title for seven years and defended the title 12 times 11 by K.O, only two men have held it longer Benny Leonard (85-5-1-12, 69 KOs), ,Joe Brown (104-44-13-1, 47 KOs). Biggest moment was UD 15 over the then over unbeaten “Sugar Ray” Leonard (36-3-1, 25 KOs) Low point was probably the “No Mas” second fight with Leonard.
2) Julio Cesar Chavez of Mexico (103-5-2, 86 KOs) was a three division times world champion 130, 135, 140. JC fought for over 20 years and against the some of the best. He unified at 135 & 140 and had a run as champion with a record that still stands 27 title defenses and holds the longest undefeated run with 90 fights. Highlight was the TKO 12 over Meldrick Taylor. Low point was his “quit job” against Frankie Randall.
3) Nicaragua’s Alexis Arguello (77-8, 62 KOs) fought from 1968 to 1995, held titles at 126, 130 & 135. This triple champion was the first man to try and win titles in four weight divisions, coming up short against Aaron Pryor (39-1, 35 KOs) in the famous fight when Panama Lewis said, “Give me the special bottle, the one I mixed.” Ring magazine lists his fight with Alfredo Escalera as #31 of the 100 of most brutal battles ever. Biggest moment, KO 13 of another great in Mexico’s Ruben Olivares (88-13-3, 78 KOs) Low point was his 1995 comeback.
4) Eder Jofre; Brazil (l 72-2-4,50kos) fought 1957-1976. He went undefeated for 53 fight and dominated the bantamweight division from 1961-1965. Only 2 lost were to the same man Fighting Harada both by decision. Biggest fight K.O in 4 to another great Vicente Saldivar (38-3,27kos)
5) Salvador Sanchez of México (41-1-1, 32 KOs) fought from 1975-1982 and held the WBC featherweight 126 lb. title. Because of his untimely death we will never get to know hoe great he would have been. Biggest fight when he destroyed the seemingly unbeatable Wilfredo Gomez via TKO 8. ;
6) Wifredo” Bazooka” Gomez of Puerto Rico (44-3-1,42 KOs) fought 1974-1989. Another triple champion 122, 126 & 130. He KO’d all of his opponents except for two in Juan Laporte (40-17, 22 KOs) and a hotly disputed (robbery) win over Rocky Lockridge (44-9, 36 KOs). He held the 122 lb. title and defended it 17 times all by KO, a record that still stand today. His won his first 32 fights all by KO make it the fourth longest streak of all time. Biggest fight, KO 5 over the great Carlos Zarate (61-4, 58 KOs)
7) Carlos Monzon of Argentina (87-3-9-1,59kos) fought 1963-1977 held the middleweight belt and made 14 successful defenses a record that stood until 2002. He was undefeated in his last 81 fights of his career. Major fight KO’d in 12 Hall of Famer Nino Benvenuti (82-7-1,35 KOs)
8) Manuel Ortiz was Mexican-American (96-28-3-49 KOs) Fought from 1938 to 1955. Considered by many as one of the best bantamweights in history seeing he made 15 successful defenses and was KO’d only once in 127 battles. Biggest fight was a 15 round win over Harold Dade (39-6-9,31 KOs)
9) Puerto Rican Felix “Tito” Trinidad was 41-1, 34 KOs, fought from 1990 to 2002. A three division champion 147, 154, 160, another pick people may not agree with. Has the longest title reign at 147 and defeated the best at the weight. I think at 147 or 154, Tito was unbeatable over past or present fighters. Biggest moment 12 KO of Fernando Vargas (26-5, 22 KOs)
10) Alfonso Teofilo Brown A.K.A “Panama Al” Brown (123-19-11, 58 KOs). Panama fought from 1922 to 1942 and was the bantamweight champion for six years. In June of 1929, Brown became the first Hispanic to hold a world title and was regarded as an international star. Biggest moment was his win in 15 over Pete Sansol (96-6-8, 27 KOs).
I’M SURE THIS LIST UPSET MANY OF YOU!
Who do you think I left out that should be here?
Manny Caballero