The Island

Both Craftsmen and artists have produced memorable tapestries. So has a beautiful and verdant Caribbean Island sometimes referred to as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The island, almost rectangular in shape, is the smallest of the Greater Antilles.. With an estimated population of close to four million people and slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island, it likely has the most dynamic economy in the entire Caribbean. But unlike many other Islands (or countries for that matter), it has a disproportionate number of major league baseball players including Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Orlando Cepeda. This island nation has over 100 major league baseball players who are now active, thus making baseball one of the most popular sports, but Puerto Rico also has a disproportionate number of boxers who either have been World Champion or top contenders over the years.

The lineage of great boxers from Puerto Rico is a rich, dramatic and, often tragic one, as many of the fighter met with difficulties outside the ring or after they finished their careers. In this regard, Puerto Rico has produced a most compelling tapestry of sports in general and boxing in particular.