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WILL THE GREATEST PUERTO RICAN BOXER PLEASE STAND UP!
By Carlos Guzman
http://www.fightbeat.com
Tito! Tito! Tito! That’s been the chant of Puerto Ricans for over a decade. It’s been many years since the little island produced a superstar that could capture the hearts of the people. It was his explosive one-dimensional style that packed them into The Garden, the MGM Grand, wherever, cause everyone loves a knockout. Having a knack for coming back from sudden death, and doing via KO 85% of the time, Trinidad’s hold-on-to-the-edge-of-your-seat” style was the very definition of fan-friendly.
After looking sharp against tailor-made Ricardo Mayorga, he was rendered helpless in only his second comeback bout against the Winky Wright. All of the talk about a rematch with Bernard, or even Winky, came to and end when Tito’s father, and fighter himself decided to officially retire. Now that he really seems done, we can evaluated his place in the pantheon of boxers from La Isla de Borinquen.
Having been completely dominated by two boxers—Hopkins and Wright—you have to question where Trinidad ranks among the greats. And what’s the criteria for ranking them? Who’s the competition?
In ranking the best P4P P.R. boxers, one must apply a different formula than when ranking P4P all time greats. A Puerto Rican candidate is representing a people, a nation (OK, a commonwealth). Often, these fighters are declared “The Pride of Puerto Rico.” To a certain degree, the lore surrounding a given boxer goes beyond boxing. All of our champions have proudly represented, but for many of our fighters their actions outside the ring have diminished their overall accomplishments.
Arguably the greatest Puerto Rican fighter was Wilfredo Gomez. Although known more for his punching power, Gomez could box. He had an excellent amateur background with 90 victories in 93 fights, but Gomez attributed his three titles in three weight divisions to his punching power. He KO’d 88% of his opponents and scored 33 consecutive stoppages at one point; his nickname, “The Bazooka,” got it right.
It would take a risky jump to featherweight, where he faced Salvador Sanchez—perhaps the greatest Mexican fighter ever—to finally derail this punching machine. This first loss was only a temporary setback.
Gomez continued to campaign at featherweight and three years later he was on top of the world again, capturing his second world title in defeating countryman Juan Laporte. At this point, Gomez was at the end of his career. He lost his belts in his first defense when Azumah Nelson came knocking—a boxer that wasn’t just the best fighter his country (Ghana) ever produced, but the entire continent of Africa. Gomez moved up in weight again and got a hometown decision against Rocky Lockridge, capturing the junior lightweight title. That victory was short-lived, as he lost it in his first defense.
Gomez ended his career with a record of 44 wins, 3 loses, 1 draw, with 42 KOs. If his life ended there it would be very impressive, worthy of the #1 spot as the greatest. But just like he let his people down in the ring against Sanchez (his own words, mind you), many feel he let Puerto Rico down again outside the ring. In 1994, he was arrested on charges of domestic violence (beating his wife) and cocaine possession. Although that’s his personal life and perhaps should be kept separate from his professional accomplishments, we Puerto Ricans look at the whole person. (Tito isn’t just beloved for how he fought, but how he represented us in general.)
Sadly, alcohol and drugs have led to the downfall of many great fighters. Alexis Arguello, Pernell Whitaker, Sugar Ray Leonard, and many others, have all struggled to surmount their troubles. But we should aim to forgive those who struggle with a disease and support those who can be helped, which brings us to another P4Per undoubtedly near the top of anyone’s list: Wilfred Benitez.
Ironically, Wilfred Benitez was nicknamed “El Radar” but his life and career was anything but focused. He wasn’t born in Puerto Rico, so an argument could be made not to include him on the list. The reason he gained such popularity among Puerto Ricans was that many of his fights where held on the island. Benitez, at age 17, won his first title against Antonio Cervantes in San Juan’s Hiram Bithorn stadium. He also lured Mexican world champion Carlos Palomino to San Juan, where Benitez won a 15-round decision. He became the crown jewel of the island after that.
Benitez is probably the most talented Puerto Rican boxer of all time. He was a defensive wizard, and if you were off your game 1% you had no chance of beating him. He would make fighters look foolish, presenting them a target that was actually an illusion. Benitez probably wished he had a mirror in the ring so he could gaze at himself and admire his handiwork. But talent alone can only take you so far; a lack of discipline was his undoing.
Benitez and training was like water and oil. He couldn’t commit himself to five days in the gym without running off to a more pleasurable place—he actually had a weakness for Disneyland. His training habits were so poor at one point his father/trainer told the press he wouldn’t allow him to fight Sugar Ray Leonard. There’s evidence suggesting that he might have been mentally stunted—never developing an average adult IQ. It’s amazing that despite his lack of discipline, Benitez became the youngest fighter ever to win a world title in three different weight divisions. Sugar Ray Leonard even refused to give him a rematch. He was just that good. His record was 53 wins, 9 loses, 1 draw, with 31 KO’s. But when you think of the phrase “Crash and Burn,” that’s Benitez.
In 1996 Benitez was found comatose in his suburban home in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Reports said he was lying on the floor in a rat-infested house. On March 19, 2000, he was released from Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx after suffering epileptic attacks that paralyzed the right side of his body and left him with severe speech impairment. He’s said to be the first Puerto Rican boxer to earn over 1 million dollars. Now he’s broke and institutionalized back home. The Puerto Rican government agreed to pay an ailing Wilfred $1,450 a month to help defer his medical and living expenses. Sympathetic government officials explain that Wilfred introduced the world to their small island. He just stayed in the game too long. Towards the end, he was beat up by journeyman who, while in his prime, he would’ve toyed with. A dad ending indeed.
But who can forget about Carlos Ortiz!? This legendary lightweight champion enjoyed success in and out of the ring. According to “Boxing Heroes and Champions” by Bob Mee, Ortiz owned a home, a Cadillac, had stocks, life insurance, and trust funds for his children—all before even becoming a world champion. Born in Mayaguez, his parents moved to NY when he was a child. He turned pro at 18 and retired with a record of 61 wins, 7 loses, 1 draw, and a no contest. Ortiz had wins over fighters like Laguna, Joe Brown, Gabriel Elorde, and Sugar Ramos. He’s also the first Puerto Rican to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. His only career setback is losing two out of three fights against top-10 jr. welterweight champ Duilio Loi.
The pressures of boxing and success did get to Ortiz to a small degree. He developed a drinking problem and admitted to entering the ring DRUNK! But it’s not how you start the race, as they say. Today Ortiz is a strong man who kicked the sauce and tobacco, in spite of owning a nightclub and liquor store when he retired. He also owned apartment buildings in NY and some small companies in Puerto Rico. He is unquestionably a P4P great—not just on this Puerto Rican list but for all time.
The first man to bring the honor of “world champion” to P.R. is Sixto Escobar. Sixto was legendary for his determination and toughness in the ring. Unlike Felix Trinidad, Sixto was never knocked out or even taken off his feet. Unfortunately, information about Sixto’s record is unclear. His documented record is 42 wins against 21 loses, but it’s said the figures should be higher in both categories. Regardless, when talking P4P, I don’t think anybody who lost 30% of his fights should be seriously considered elite—as unfair as that may seem.
Now let’s go back and take a hard look at our man “Tito” Trinidad.
He had a short but solid amateur career, going 51-6 loses with only 12 knockouts. As an amateur he never displayed the punching power that made him famous as a pro. Trinidad the prizefighter cut burrowed through welterweights, taking on all comes. His chin raised question marks throughout his career, as he was dropped by several average fighters. I shutter to think what would’ve happened had he faced his predecessor, “the Motor City Cobra” Thomas Hearns. Then again, you don’t count Tito out: His fights began once he touched the canvas, a mere wake-up call to get going.
Trinidad made 15 successful defenses of his welterweight title, but spent some of his best years in undercard-obscurity, fighting nondescript opponents. He beat a washed-up Pernell Whitaker, got a gift decision against Oscar de la Hoya, and destroyed David Reid, Fernando Vargas and William Joppy, becoming the first Puerto Rican middleweight titlist with this last victory. But he didn’t escape tarnishing his stellar reputation.
Trinidad’s was busted for having an affair, putting his marriage was on the rocks. It almost ruined him, and, frankly, should have nothing to do with this discussion—but these days the price of greatness extends to life beyond the ring. And that was part of Tito’s appeal; he was a champion we could be completely proud of. Subsequently, he donated his time to charities, supporting the people of Vieques, and even serving food to the rescue workers during 9/11. It didn’t take long for him to get back in the good graces of his countrymen.
He’s never made excuses for losing, and always gave his best. Now that he’s retired, Tito has money in the bank, good health, his life seemingly intact. He essentially made all of the right moves inside and outside the ring—though maybe he should’ve ducked Winky in retrospect. (Few saw that one coming.) It’s hard to argue with choosing Tito as Numero Uno. What Tito lacked in boxing skills, he made up for in will and power.
Had all these boxers fought in the same weight division, I believe Wilfred “El Radar” Benitez had the skills, reflexes, and talent to come out on top. Gomez would’ve been a showstopper what with his punching power, and we all know what Tito did for boxing. These great giants of boxing will always hold a special place in the hearts and minds of the Puerto Rican fans. I still vacillate regarding who’s the best, but in terms of the total package, I’m going with Tito.
Now can the next great Puerto Rican boxer please show his face! If it’s you Cotto, the time is now.
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Originally Posted by CutMeMicK
do you really watch boxing at all? I know you know more than that, maybe you mean at 160 his power wasn't so impresive like at 147 and 154.
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