Jose Torres Dies at 72

[raylawpc]

PONCE, Puerto Rico (AP) — Former light heavyweight champion Jose Torres has died in his native Puerto Rico. He was 72.

His widow, Ramonita Ortiz, says Torres died Monday of a heart attack.

Torres won the world light heavyweight title in 1965 by beating Willie Pastrano at Madison Square Garden in New York. He made three title defenses before losing to Dick Tiger in 1966.

Torres began fighting when he joined the U.S. Army as a teenager, and won a silver medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics competing for the United States.

After retirement, he became an author, chaired the New York State Athletic Commission in the 1980s and served as supervisor for the World Boxing Organization.

Ortiz says Torres will be buried Thursday in Ponce.

[chiricahua]

OMFG i just watched his fights yesterday.
He was one of the best of all time.
I'm very sad.

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

PONCE, Puerto Rico (AP) — Former light heavyweight champion Jose Torres has died in his native Puerto Rico. He was 72.

--- The noblest Lion in winter cannot escape the inevitable that awaits us all.

A tremendous benefit to humanity not to mention his considerable ring talent.

God bless him and I've no doubt that justice and mercy will follow him in his journey.

[JC]

RIP one of the most entertaining fighters to watch ever.

[harrygreb]

i'm stunned. great fighter, great champ. stunned. RIP jose torres

[p4p1]

RIP

[Goodnight, Irene]

[elmersalsa]

Excellent fighter, RIP.

[Robinson]

That is sad.

[enrique]

When I saw Chegui at the IBHOF last year he had an unhealthy skin color.

Fomer amateur boxer and promoter Ramiro Ortiz and I talked to him for a couple of hours and he told us he was retiring to Puerto Rico. He did not have to say he wanted to die in his turf.

He was a nice man, an intelectual journalist who could discuss any topic with clarity. A true class act.