Puerto Rico’s All Time Top 10 Best Fighters – 10 to 6
By Eliud Vazquez Torres – Head Puerto Rico Boxing Writer
The Island of Puerto Rico has had a rich history of the pugilistic trade. Many of the world’s greatest combatants come from la isla del encanto. That is Spanish for the island of enchantment. Well over 60 world champions and counting have made their home on this beautiful Island. Several have stuck out as being genuine world class. Carving out the top ten fighters of the island was not in any way shape or form an easy matter. This is my list of the very best ten fighters of Puerto Rican boxers.
10. Esteban De Jesus(58-5, 33 KOs) …. If ever there was a Puerto Rican fighter that was closely associated with another opponent as his place in history, that man would be De Jesus. Universally known as the first man to beat Roberto Duran. The Carolina native went on to lose the rematch with Duran in a WBA lightweight world title fight. De Jesus finally went on to win the WBC lightweight belt in his third try when he dethroned Guts Ishimatsu in a 15 round unanimous decision. He went on to lose the third installment with Roberto Duran. Although Esteban registered a mediocre 4-4 championship record, he will always be remembered for his victory and trilogy against “Las Manos de Piedras” Roberto Duran.
9. Wilfredo Vazquez(56-9, 41 KOs)…. Probably the most underrated fighter among the list. Born in the San Juan district of Rio Piedras, Vazquez took up boxing because of his father’s admiration of the sport. Started boxing at the advanced age of 18 but quickly adapted. Wilfredo had a swift potent right hand. His first title reign came when he stopped South Korean Chan-Young Park in the tenth round to become the WBA bantamweight title holder. Five years later, Vaquez put an end to Raul Perez’s championship run when he took the WBA Jr. featherweight belt on a third round TKO victory. He made nine successful Jr. featherweight title defenses. A few years after that, Wilfredo found himself down on the scorecards against Eloy Rojas when he scored two knockdowns in the eleventh round in which the referee stopped the fight and awarded the fight to Vazquez. With that victory Vazquez became another Puerto Rican fighter who’d won titles in three weight divisions including the Lineal and WBA featherweight championships. Vazquez had an outstanding 17-4 championship record including a win over hall of famer Orlando Canizales.
8. Hector CaMacho(79-6-3, 38 KOs)…. CaMacho is the only southpaw among the list. Could have been higher on this list if it wasn’t for his out of the ring lifestyle. The Bayamon born fighter was one of the quickest fighters of his era. He flirted at times by staying in front of his opponents but had the reflexes fast enough to move out of the way before even being touched. His jab was also a great weapon to keep fighters at bay. The WBC Jr. lightweight title became his first championship with a fifth round TKO victory over Rafael Limon. Two years later he picked up the WBC lightweight belt on a 12 round decision over Jose Luis Ramirez. CaMacho nick named the Macho Man made a shaky defense of his lightweight title against Edwin “Chapo” Rosario which many felt Rosario won. That fight prompted CaMacho to become a more defensive minded fighter. Became yet another Puerto Rican triple crown champion when he claimed the vacant WBO Jr. welterweight belt with a win over Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. All together CaMacho grabbed four world titles and won 9 out of 13 championship fights.
7. Miguel Cotto(37-2, 30 KOs)…. Cotto is the only active fighter among this list. Already with an impressive resume. The former 2000 Puerto Rican Olympian started his career at Jr. welterweight. This boxer-puncher won the WBO belt with a TKO victory over Kelson Pinto in the sixth round. Scored high profile wins against Ricardo Torres and Paul Malignaggi in the Jr. welterweight limit. Moved up in weight and grabbed the vacant WBA welterweight title with a win over fellow countryman Carlos Quintana on a fifth round TKO. Cotto pursued his second welterweight championship with a fifth round TKO win over Michael Jennings for the WBO strap. The Caguas native triumphed over Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, and Joshua Clottey in title fights at 147. Moved up yet again and put away Yuri Foreman in 9 rounds to receive his WBA Jr. welterweight championship and become a three division champion. Cotto has an impressive 16-2 championship record. Miguel could move up a few notches on this list with a victory over Floyd Mayweather on May 5th.
6. Pedro Montanez(92-7-4, 54 KOs)…. Montanez is considered one of the greatest fighters to never win a world title. He was a lightweight brawler from the 1930’s. At one time El Torito De Cayey won 88 straight fights. The Ring Magazine recognizes Montanez as one of the greatest punchers in history of boxing. Montanez beat former lightweight champion Lou Ambers. Also fought Henry Armstrong for the welterweight title but was unsuccessful. One of the more famous fighters in Puerto Rico before and after his retirement.
Stay tuned to see who Eliud’s top 5 are. The greatest Puerto Rican fighters of all time!
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