Next Puertorrican World Champion

[Puerto Rican Punch]

On March 14 Roman "Rocky" Martinez will be facing Nicly Cook for the WBO Jr Light Weight Championship. Martinez has proven to be a strong warrior who gives very exciting fights to the fans. I here the next Puertorrican champion and he will have to win by KO in Cook's home...

[TitoFan]

On March 14 Roman "Rocky" Martinez will be facing Nicly Cook for the WBO Jr Light Weight Championship. Martinez has proven to be a strong warrior who gives very exciting fights to the fans. I here the next Puertorrican champion and he will have to win by KO in Cook's home...

I've seen Rocky fight in person and he's damn exciting to watch. He's kind of a brawler, with a good punch, good chin, and a big heart. Here's hoping he becomes the next PR world champion.

[Puerto Rican Punch]

Rocky is a tough guy. I don't know how many of you guys have had the chance to see him fighting, but he is really exciting

[CutMeMick]

I agree about Rocky I think he's all the tools to beat Cookie...

As for other future champs for PR look out for Cesar Seda Jr... He's got champion written allover him.

[Macho]

Yes , another great future Champion , i hope he improved much bettter his defense , that is the only skill that i see that miss ...........

[ElTerribleMorales]

things aren't looking too good for Martinez

[ElTerribleMorales]

aaaaaand he turned it around

[Puerto Rican Punch]

I agree about Rocky I think he's all the tools to beat Cookie...

As for other future champs for PR look out for Cesar Seda Jr... He's got champion written allover him.

We also should follow Wilfredo Vazquez Jr (15-0; 12 by KO)., son of former World Champion Wilfredo Vazquez, who is raising quickly. I think that we may be hearing more about him later this year or early 2010.

[holmcall]

Rugged Louis Collazo still fights. Lou "Honey Boy" Del Valle last fought in July 2008, but appears near the end. Nelson Dieppa, Kermit “El Asesino” Cintron and Carlos “El Indio” Quintana are still factors as are Mario “Principe Ponce” Santiago(19-1-1), Manny Siaca, Cesar Ceda (16-0), undefeated Victor Fonseca (who won the vacant International Boxing Association bantamweight title in 200, Orlando Cruz (16-0-1), Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr (15-0),and Henry “El Nitro” Bruseles who has won six in a row since losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2005. Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana (24-3) shows promise but needs to get his personal life in order.

Carlos Ivan Velasquez (9-0) has potential as well. At the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, he defeated Marlon Almagro of Venezuela. He the pulled off a monster upset pf highly touted Olympic champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in the semis and won Gold against Dominican Ronald de la Rosa).

Fres “Fast Fres" Oquendo, a great all-around athlete from Chicago via Puerto Rico, has come this close to reaching the top, but each time has been thwarted--whether by highly questionable decisions (against Toney and Holyfield), or late round collapses (Ruiz and Tua). Still, he remains a viable heavyweight

[TitoFan]

Rugged Louis Collazo still fights. Lou "Honey Boy" Del Valle last fought in July 2008, but appears near the end. Nelson Dieppa, Kermit “El Asesino” Cintron and Carlos “El Indio” Quintana are still factors as are Mario “Principe Ponce” Santiago(19-1-1), Manny Siaca, Cesar Ceda (16-0), undefeated Victor Fonseca (who won the vacant International Boxing Association bantamweight title in 200, Orlando Cruz (16-0-1), Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr (15-0),and Henry “El Nitro” Bruseles who has won six in a row since losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2005. Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana (24-3) shows promise but needs to get his personal life in order.

Carlos Ivan Velasquez (9-0) has potential as well. At the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, he defeated Marlon Almagro of Venezuela. He the pulled off a monster upset pf highly touted Olympic champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in the semis and won Gold against Dominican Ronald de la Rosa).

Fres “Fast Fres" Oquendo, a great all-around athlete from Chicago via Puerto Rico, has come this close to reaching the top, but each time has been thwarted--whether by highly questionable decisions (against Toney and Holyfield), or late round collapses (Ruiz and Tua). Still, he remains a viable heavyweight

Damn! You know more about Puerto Rican boxers than I do (LOL). You certainly do your research.

[ElTerribleMorales]

i think that "Wi" Vazquez Jr has a lot of potential, looked good the other night

[TitoFan]

On March 14 Roman "Rocky" Martinez will be facing Nicly Cook for the WBO Jr Light Weight Championship. Martinez has proven to be a strong warrior who gives very exciting fights to the fans. I here the next Puertorrican champion and he will have to win by KO in Cook's home...

Tremendo mi hermano!!! Lo logramos!!!

"Rocky" is the latest in a long line of Puerto Rican world champions. You called it right, PRPunch. He won by KO, and how. Cook came out strong, but I know Rocky always takes a while to warm up to the fight. And he's pretty heavy-handed. Once Cook felt his power, he started backing up until the end came.

I hear some horns blaring down the street already, which means people are already on to the fact that we have a new world champion.

[holmcall]

Cesar Seda Jr

[holmcall]

When one discusses boxing in Puerto Rico these days, certain names always come to the fore,. Names that remind us of the espléndido y magn�*fico tradition of Puerto Rican boxing.

Carlos Ortiz (1955-1972)

This three time world champion, twice in the lightweight division and once in the Jr. Welterweights slot, ended his great career with a record of 61-7-1-1. His induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHF) came in 1991.

José "Chegui" Torres (1958-1969)

This superb body puncher finished with a fine mark of 41-3-1 with two of his defeats coming at the hands of Dick Tiger. Perhaps the best demonstration of his brutal body work came when he stopped Willie Pastrano at Madison Square Garden in 1965. No cherry picker, “Chegui” fought extremely tough opponents including the likes of Randy Sandy, Kid Paret, Tony Dupas, Wilbur McClure, Jose Monon Gonzalez, Florentino “The Ox” Fernandez, Bobo Olson, Gomeo Brennan, and many others. he was inducted into the IBHF in 1997.

Wilfred “El Radar” Benitez (1973-1990)

This triple champion became the youngest fighter in boxing history to win a world title when he decisioned Antonio Cervantes in 1976 to capture the WBA junior welterweight tile at 17 years and six months of age. He went undefeated in his first 39 fights until he lost to Sugar Ray Leonard in 1979. Known for his ring skills and defensive artistry, his nickname was “The Bible of Boxing.” His power was best evidenced by his crushing one punch KO of Maurice Hope in 1981 which was a highlight special for years to come. He ended his with a 53-8-1 slate but like all too many great fighters, he stayed around too long and paid an extremely serious price.

Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez (1974-1989)

This great triple champion, had the ability to render opponents unconscious with either hand. As well, he had one of the highest KO percentages in professional boxing, winning 87.5 % of his bouts by stoppage. His first fight in 1974 ended in a draw; he then reeled off 32 straight wins all by way of stoppage. His first loss came at the hands of the great Salvador Sanchez in 1981 in a much ballyhooed bout. He regrouped and won 9 more before being stopped by Azumah Nelson in 1984. His final record was 44 (KO 42)-3 (KO 3)-1.


Edwin "El Chapo" Rosario (1979-1997)

This rugged bomber went 25-0 before losing in a major upset to Jose Luis Ramirez in 1984 in San Juan in a classic brawl in which both fighters hit the deck. “Chapo” had taken the Mexican’s measure a year earlier. His final mark was 47-6 with an impressive KO percentage of 77.36. After losing to Frankie Randall in 1993, he stayed away from boxing until 1997 when he won his last five fights. Sadly, he passed away that same year. On January 12, 2006, he was inducted into the Hall, thus becoming the sixth Puerto Rican to enter the Hall, a remarkable feat when one considers the size of this Island nation.

Others

Juan Laporte

Laporte may have fought the toughest opposition of any boxer in history and arguably, he may have had the best chin of any boxer. He fought Hall of Famers Salvador Sanchez, Eusebio Pedroza, Wilfredo Gomez, Barry McGuigan, Julio César Chávez, and Azumah Nelson.

“Tito”

There is little doubt that three time champion Felix “Tito” Trinidad also will become a member of the Hall. This great KO artist now looks to be retired with a fine slate of 42-3. Before losing to Bernard Hopkins in 2001, he was 40-0. He also made fifteen successful defenses of his welterweight title.

“Junito”

Miguel “Junito” Cotto is another in a long line of Puerto Rican warriors. He engaged in of the great fights of 2008 when he lost to Tony Margarito. He was 32-0 at the time and is now set to regain his status as one of the very best pound for pound fighters.

"Juanma"

Juan Manuel "Juanma" López Rivera is the latest Puerto Rican sensation having exploded upon the scene with a 24-0 record and a remarkable KO percentage of 91.67. He served notice by icing Giovanni Andrade in one round in 2007 to win the WBO Latino super bantamweight title. In June 2008, he knocked out rugged Daniel Ponce de Leon in the first round by moving in between Ponce wide punches and taking him out with short and crisp shots the power of which were generated by super hand speed. He the did the same with Cesar Figueroa, but it only took him 47 seconds to close the show. Two months later, he met Sergio “Rocky” Medina and ended this fight in 1.38 of the first by rocking “Rocky.” In Juanma’s last 5 outings, he has gone only 8 rounds.

Ivan Calderon

Calderon is currently at 32-0 and won the WBO minimumweight title in 2003. After defending it eleven times, he took the WBO light flyweight title in 2007 and has successfully defended that crown three times. He could well be another three-time champion.

Alex de Jesus

“El Pollo,” a native of San Juan, is currently undefeated at 19-0 and holds the WBO Latino light welterweight title. He became the first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic medal since Daniel Santos won a bronze in 1996.

Daniel “El Pillin” Santos

Santos won his third professional championship in July 2008 by knocking out Joacchim Alcine to win the WBA Light middleweight belt. This was his third world title. Interestingly, he holds a TD win over rugged Antonio Margarito, a fight in which Tony received a bad cut forcing a halt to the action in the 10 stanza. His current record stands at 32-3-1 and he remains a factor in the light middleweight slot.

Hector Camacho

There are many ex-World champions or great contenders who have diret ties to Puerto Rico including Hector Camacho (79-5-2) who likely will be inducted into the Hall. Heck, he also won three titles -- in the Super Featherweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight divisions!

Still more

Jose Basora fought from 1939-1952 and ran up a record of 78-20-7 including a draw with Sugar Ray Robinson and a win and draw with Jake LaMotta. He also went 3-3-1 with the great Holman Williams. John Ruiz was the first Puerto Rican to become a heavyweight champion and is still fighting.

The late Esteban “Vita” De Jesus was a world lightweight champion who won his first 20 pro fights. Addicted and detoxed multiple times, his record was 57 wins and 5 losses, with 32 wins by knockout and included a trilogy with Roberto Duran (1-2). As Ernest Morales wrote in a moving November 14, 2006 ESB piece entitled “The Champ” Nobody Knew:”

“Esteban would eventually be sentenced to a life term of imprisonment for a murder committed while under the influence in a traffic altercation. While in prison he would discover two life-changing things. First he discovered Jesus and became a devout born again Christian. And... he also discovered that he had AIDS.....

When Roberto Duran came to visit him on his death bed, the pathos and nobility of that moment will remain always with those who knew what took place. As Morales wrote, “The Champ [Duran] bid his farewell to the 'enemy' he always said he respected most with another firm but gentle and uncharacteristic hug and kiss. He waved to all and stepped outside. As he asked us to please send for the future widow, his eyes were noticeably watery and full, he gave her a generous offering of love and left as the press and cameras present followed. They were following The Champ, a true Champ….”


Carlos “Sugar” De León made history by becoming the first Cruiserweight to win the world title twice. His final mark was a fine 52-8-1.

The names continue. Alfredo “Salsero” Escalera had a 53-14-3 record and won the WBC super featherweight championship by icing Kuniaki Shibata in two rounds. His two bloody fights with Alexis Argüello are considered classics by aficionados. Amazingly, the first bout made The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest fights of all time at number 31. Argüello-Escalera II made it at number 68.

Angel “Cholo” Espada won the WBA’s world Welterweight champion when he beat Clyde Gray in 1975. He later lost it to a then unknown named Pipino Cuevas to whom he would lose twice more by TKO. Ossie “Jaws” Ocasio campaigned in the Heavyweight division and became Cruiserweight champion by beating Robbie Williams in South Africa in 1982.

The list goes on and on. Louis Collazo still fights. Lou "Honey Boy" Del Valle appears near the end. Carlos “El Indio” Quintana is still a factor as are Manny Siaca, Victor Fonseca and Orlando Cruz. But Sammy Fuentes, Eric Morel, Jake Rodriguez, and Felix Camacho are memories. Still, each was a world champions. And so were Sammy Serrano, Julian Solis, and multiple champion John John Molina. Victor Callejas was one tough hombre as was Juan Nazario who once TKOd Edwin Rosario.

Jose Monon Gonzalez, though never a world champion, fought virtually every tough guy available. He grew through each weight class beating some and losing to fewer. His final record was 42-21-2, but that hardly tells the story of the man who was built like an Adonis and who may well have faced some of the toughest opponents of any boxer I can remember. In fact, five of his foes were inducted into the Hall. Antonio “Tonito” Rivera also was a great fighter who did battle in the ‘80s and had record of 36 wins, 13 losses and 3 draws, with 32 wins by knockout.

There are still others (like the very tough Roman "Rocky" Martinez), but the real story here is that Puerto Rico has produced more great fighters than Saddo space allows.

[ElTerribleMorales]

When one discusses boxing in Puerto Rico these days, certain names always come to the fore,. Names that remind us of the espléndido y magn�*fico tradition of Puerto Rican boxing.

Carlos Ortiz (1955-1972)

This three time world champion, twice in the lightweight division and once in the Jr. Welterweights slot, ended his great career with a record of 61-7-1-1. His induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHF) came in 1991.

José "Chegui" Torres (1958-1969)

This superb body puncher finished with a fine mark of 41-3-1 with two of his defeats coming at the hands of Dick Tiger. Perhaps the best demonstration of his brutal body work came when he stopped Willie Pastrano at Madison Square Garden in 1965. No cherry picker, “Chegui” fought extremely tough opponents including the likes of Randy Sandy, Kid Paret, Tony Dupas, Wilbur McClure, Jose Monon Gonzalez, Florentino “The Ox” Fernandez, Bobo Olson, Gomeo Brennan, and many others. he was inducted into the IBHF in 1997.

Wilfred “El Radar” Benitez (1973-1990)

This triple champion became the youngest fighter in boxing history to win a world title when he decisioned Antonio Cervantes in 1976 to capture the WBA junior welterweight tile at 17 years and six months of age. He went undefeated in his first 39 fights until he lost to Sugar Ray Leonard in 1979. Known for his ring skills and defensive artistry, his nickname was “The Bible of Boxing.” His power was best evidenced by his crushing one punch KO of Maurice Hope in 1981 which was a highlight special for years to come. He ended his with a 53-8-1 slate but like all too many great fighters, he stayed around too long and paid an extremely serious price.

Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez (1974-1989)

This great triple champion, had the ability to render opponents unconscious with either hand. As well, he had one of the highest KO percentages in professional boxing, winning 87.5 % of his bouts by stoppage. His first fight in 1974 ended in a draw; he then reeled off 32 straight wins all by way of stoppage. His first loss came at the hands of the great Salvador Sanchez in 1981 in a much ballyhooed bout. He regrouped and won 9 more before being stopped by Azumah Nelson in 1984. His final record was 44 (KO 42)-3 (KO 3)-1.


Edwin "El Chapo" Rosario (1979-1997)

This rugged bomber went 25-0 before losing in a major upset to Jose Luis Ramirez in 1984 in San Juan in a classic brawl in which both fighters hit the deck. “Chapo” had taken the Mexican’s measure a year earlier. His final mark was 47-6 with an impressive KO percentage of 77.36. After losing to Frankie Randall in 1993, he stayed away from boxing until 1997 when he won his last five fights. Sadly, he passed away that same year. On January 12, 2006, he was inducted into the Hall, thus becoming the sixth Puerto Rican to enter the Hall, a remarkable feat when one considers the size of this Island nation.

Others

Juan Laporte

Laporte may have fought the toughest opposition of any boxer in history and arguably, he may have had the best chin of any boxer. He fought Hall of Famers Salvador Sanchez, Eusebio Pedroza, Wilfredo Gomez, Barry McGuigan, Julio César Chávez, and Azumah Nelson.

“Tito”

There is little doubt that three time champion Felix “Tito” Trinidad also will become a member of the Hall. This great KO artist now looks to be retired with a fine slate of 42-3. Before losing to Bernard Hopkins in 2001, he was 40-0. He also made fifteen successful defenses of his welterweight title.

“Junito”

Miguel “Junito” Cotto is another in a long line of Puerto Rican warriors. He engaged in of the great fights of 2008 when he lost to Tony Margarito. He was 32-0 at the time and is now set to regain his status as one of the very best pound for pound fighters.

"Juanma"

Juan Manuel "Juanma" López Rivera is the latest Puerto Rican sensation having exploded upon the scene with a 24-0 record and a remarkable KO percentage of 91.67. He served notice by icing Giovanni Andrade in one round in 2007 to win the WBO Latino super bantamweight title. In June 2008, he knocked out rugged Daniel Ponce de Leon in the first round by moving in between Ponce wide punches and taking him out with short and crisp shots the power of which were generated by super hand speed. He the did the same with Cesar Figueroa, but it only took him 47 seconds to close the show. Two months later, he met Sergio “Rocky” Medina and ended this fight in 1.38 of the first by rocking “Rocky.” In Juanma’s last 5 outings, he has gone only 8 rounds.

Ivan Calderon

Calderon is currently at 32-0 and won the WBO minimumweight title in 2003. After defending it eleven times, he took the WBO light flyweight title in 2007 and has successfully defended that crown three times. He could well be another three-time champion.

Alex de Jesus

“El Pollo,” a native of San Juan, is currently undefeated at 19-0 and holds the WBO Latino light welterweight title. He became the first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic medal since Daniel Santos won a bronze in 1996.

Daniel “El Pillin” Santos

Santos won his third professional championship in July 2008 by knocking out Joacchim Alcine to win the WBA Light middleweight belt. This was his third world title. Interestingly, he holds a TD win over rugged Antonio Margarito, a fight in which Tony received a bad cut forcing a halt to the action in the 10 stanza. His current record stands at 32-3-1 and he remains a factor in the light middleweight slot.

Hector Camacho

There are many ex-World champions or great contenders who have diret ties to Puerto Rico including Hector Camacho (79-5-2) who likely will be inducted into the Hall. Heck, he also won three titles -- in the Super Featherweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight divisions!

Still more

Jose Basora fought from 1939-1952 and ran up a record of 78-20-7 including a draw with Sugar Ray Robinson and a win and draw with Jake LaMotta. He also went 3-3-1 with the great Holman Williams. John Ruiz was the first Puerto Rican to become a heavyweight champion and is still fighting.

The late Esteban “Vita” De Jesus was a world lightweight champion who won his first 20 pro fights. Addicted and detoxed multiple times, his record was 57 wins and 5 losses, with 32 wins by knockout and included a trilogy with Roberto Duran (1-2). As Ernest Morales wrote in a moving November 14, 2006 ESB piece entitled “The Champ” Nobody Knew:”

“Esteban would eventually be sentenced to a life term of imprisonment for a murder committed while under the influence in a traffic altercation. While in prison he would discover two life-changing things. First he discovered Jesus and became a devout born again Christian. And... he also discovered that he had AIDS.....

When Roberto Duran came to visit him on his death bed, the pathos and nobility of that moment will remain always with those who knew what took place. As Morales wrote, “The Champ [Duran] bid his farewell to the 'enemy' he always said he respected most with another firm but gentle and uncharacteristic hug and kiss. He waved to all and stepped outside. As he asked us to please send for the future widow, his eyes were noticeably watery and full, he gave her a generous offering of love and left as the press and cameras present followed. They were following The Champ, a true Champ….”


Carlos “Sugar” De León made history by becoming the first Cruiserweight to win the world title twice. His final mark was a fine 52-8-1.

The names continue. Alfredo “Salsero” Escalera had a 53-14-3 record and won the WBC super featherweight championship by icing Kuniaki Shibata in two rounds. His two bloody fights with Alexis Argüello are considered classics by aficionados. Amazingly, the first bout made The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest fights of all time at number 31. Argüello-Escalera II made it at number 68.

Angel “Cholo” Espada won the WBA’s world Welterweight champion when he beat Clyde Gray in 1975. He later lost it to a then unknown named Pipino Cuevas to whom he would lose twice more by TKO. Ossie “Jaws” Ocasio campaigned in the Heavyweight division and became Cruiserweight champion by beating Robbie Williams in South Africa in 1982.

The list goes on and on. Louis Collazo still fights. Lou "Honey Boy" Del Valle appears near the end. Carlos “El Indio” Quintana is still a factor as are Manny Siaca, Victor Fonseca and Orlando Cruz. But Sammy Fuentes, Eric Morel, Jake Rodriguez, and Felix Camacho are memories. Still, each was a world champions. And so were Sammy Serrano, Julian Solis, and multiple champion John John Molina. Victor Callejas was one tough hombre as was Juan Nazario who once TKOd Edwin Rosario.

Jose Monon Gonzalez, though never a world champion, fought virtually every tough guy available. He grew through each weight class beating some and losing to fewer. His final record was 42-21-2, but that hardly tells the story of the man who was built like an Adonis and who may well have faced some of the toughest opponents of any boxer I can remember. In fact, five of his foes were inducted into the Hall. Antonio “Tonito” Rivera also was a great fighter who did battle in the ‘80s and had record of 36 wins, 13 losses and 3 draws, with 32 wins by knockout.

There are still others (like the very tough Roman "Rocky" Martinez), but the real story here is that Puerto Rico has produced more great fighters than Saddo space allows.

no Sixto Escobar?