The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time

[oogiebe]

Ok, we need Elmer to get moving. I ain't getting any younger. Benitez took, what, six months? Eff, I'm going to have to live to 135, which ain't happening

There are guys who aren't even born who will make the list before it's done.

[giacomino]

Ok, we need Elmer to get moving. I ain't getting any younger. Benitez took, what, six months? Eff, I'm going to have to live to 135, which ain't happening

There are guys who aren't even born who will make the list before it's done.

But will Elmer be able to finish his masterpiece before the grim reaper taps him on the shoulder?

[elmersalsa]

Carlos Ortiz next fight was on June 15, 1960 at Daly City, CA at the Cow Palace. His opponent was a sensational fighter named Duilio Loi who was Italian and European Lightweight Champion. Ortiz managed successfully defeating Loi on his second defense of the World Jr Welterweight crown.

In the rematch, on September 1st, 1960, this time in Milan, Italy, Loi won the crown from Ortiz by decision. Ortiz is no longer the champion.

The year 1961 arrives, and Ortiz beat top lightweight contender Cisco Andrade of California by decision in Los Angeles on February 2.

On the rubber match, on May 10th, again in Milan, Italy, Ortiz loses to Loi by unanimous decision. Ortiz and Loi, together, fought 45 rounds. Not enough video is available of those three bouts but clips here and there. I would have love to see those 3 fights in entirety.

Ortiz fights on September 2nd, and instead of going up in weight, he drops to lightweight and defeated top lightweight contender Doug Valiant of Cuba in Miami, FL by unanimous decision.

Ortiz has not scored a knockout win in his last 5 fights.

On Saturday night of November 18th, 1961, still young at 25, Ortiz faced top lightweight contender Paolo Rosi of Italy. Rosi was 33 years old and already had a shot for the lightweight crown in 1959 when he challenged champion "Joltin" Joe Brown of New Orleans, LA. Brown won by TKO in the 9th round.

The winner of this fight is next for contention for Brown's crown.

Both fighters had notorious common opponents like Johnny Busso, Ray Portilla and Len Matthews. Both fighters beat these guys mentioned.

Rosi also had a win against future hall of famer and Jr Lightweight World Champion at the time, Flash Elorde of the Philippines.

It was a brawl from start to finish. Ortiz was the most technically sound boxer. Rosi was an all out brawler. Anything goes with him despite his lack of punching power. Ortiz already got cut in the left eyebrow in the very first round.

A difficult fight to score, both fighters were aiming their target. Lots of those targets missed very often. But the pace was fast. It was an even fight back and forth.

But, in the 9th round, Rosi dropped Ortiz with a left hook. Was it the first time that Ortiz drops to the canvas? Of all his videos that I have seen, yes. But, I have to check out his record if this was the first time ever he tasted the canvas. Ortiz got up and fought off the cobwebs and dizziness and finished the round, but hurt.

In the last round, the 10th, both went out swinging like if their lives depended on it. It was so hard to score and to tell who really won that last round. Their world championship challenge is on the balance. Both finished strong at the final bell.

When the decision was announced, the winner was Carlos Ortiz by unanimous decision with the scores of 6-3 in rounds by referee Ruby Goldstein, 6-4 by judge Joe Angelo and 6-3 by judge Frank Forbes. All judges were Americans. The crowd booed the decision.

In my view, Ortiz lost the fight. I scored 3-3-4 for Rosi. The knockdown in the 9th round made it 97-96 on points.

Ortiz is next up to the challenge of the lightweight crown held by Joe "Old Bones" Brown the following year in April 1962.

Ortiz improves to 35-4, 1NC, with 12KOs. He has not scored a knockout win in his last 6 fights.

Rosi fought on twice more and retired at the end of 1962 losing by knockout to future World Jr Welterweight Champion Carlos "Morocho" Hernandez of Venezuela by knockout in the first round.

[oogiebe]

Ok, we need Elmer to get moving. I ain't getting any younger. Benitez took, what, six months? Eff, I'm going to have to live to 135, which ain't happening

There are guys who aren't even born who will make the list before it's done.

But will Elmer be able to finish his masterpiece before the grim reaper taps him on the shoulder?

def not!

[elmersalsa]

It was Saturday, April 21, 1962 at the Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. Carlos Ortiz of New York City won finally the coveted World Lightweight Crown by easily dominating the long-time reigning Lightweight king, the great Joe "Old Bones" Brown of New Orleans, LA.

Brown, 35, a cagey ring veteran hall of Fame technician, showed his age and total of 136 professional fights! It really took his toll. He looked gun shy and unmotivated.

The young Ortiz, 25, dominated most of the fight with his left jab and right crosses. It was like a sparring session more than a fight. In my opinion, this fight, is one of the most boring title fights that I have ever seen on film. Two hall of famers with a fight so full that I almost went to sleep. Any top lightweight contender would have unseated Brown of his lightweight crown that night. The only great thing for him was that he received $120,000 for the fight. That was it. And it was well given to him that night. Not because of his lousy performance. But, because of his great accomplishments and performances throughout his title defenses where he looked terrific.

Not much to talk about this fight. Ortiz, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico had the most defining fight of his career. He unseated a long-time reigning champion to start a dynasty of his own at lightweight.

Ortiz improves to 36-4, 1NC with 12KOs. He finally wins the title that was very important to him, even though, he was already a former World Jr Welterweight Champion.

For the other part in Brown, he kept on fighting, but never fought again for a world title. Brown lost 24 of his last 46 fights. In his last 46 fights until 1970, Brown had a record of 20-24-2 with 12KOs.

Brown was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY in 1996.

[elmersalsa]

Carlos Ortiz, the magnificent Puerto Rican champion out of New York City was trying to build a dynasty of his own after defeating long-time reigning Lightweight World Champion Joe "Old Bones" Brown by decision. Brown held the lightweight crown from 1956 to 1962, making 11 title defenses.

After losing to local Duilio Loi in the rubber-match in Milan, Italy in 1961, Ortiz went into a 12-fight win streak. Since winning the crown from Old Bones, Ortiz won 9 fights in a row, making 4 successful title defenses in the process.

He defeated Teruo Kosaka of Japan (WKO5), Doug Valliant of Cuba in the rematch (WTKO13), Flash Elorde, the reigning Jr Lightweight World Champion of the Philippines by 14th round TKO. And a rubber match win by decision against American Kenny Lane in San Juan in 15 rounds. All title defenses. He also had a notable win against top contender Maurice Cullen of Great Britain by decision in a non-title bout.


Of all those fights mentioned above in those 3 years from 1962-65, I can't find a film of those fights on YouTube. Maybe they exist and someone else got those fight films. If anyone knows about where I can find those fight films mentioned above, give me a message. I would be gladly buy copies of those fights.

[elmersalsa]

The year 1965 came and Carlos Ortiz, the World Lightweight Champion, was lured to defend his crown to Panama City, Panama on February. The challenger, was a tall and fast fleet footed boxer. His name? Ismael Laguna. The Colon City Tiger. A beautiful boxer!

Laguna, 22, had already 40 fights deep into his career. One of the fastest boxers that ever came out of that tiny country, had the reputation, at least by the locals, as a fighter that could cut your eyes out with his gloves.

Laguna's record was very impressive. He only lost twice in 40 fights. One of those losses was brutally avenged by knockout. The other loss was to the current great World Featherweight Champion at the time, Vicente Saldivar of Mexico by decision in ten rounds in a fight that if it was in Panama, I believe that Laguna would have gotten the nod. It was so close that could have went either way. The fight with Saldivar was in Mexico. So, Laguna has never lost a fight in his backyard. And confident as he was, he does not intend to lose in front of his fans in the biggest fight of his life.

Laguna, the local hero, had the whole country behind him and in his shoulders. He can't disappoint his fans. His fans has waited for so long in more than 30 years to have a second world boxing champion in the rich Panamanian boxing history. The first world champion that Panama had was the great Panama Al Brown, also from Colon City. Brown became not only the first Panamanian boxing world champion in history, but also the first Latin boxer ever when he won the World Bantamweight Crown in 1929. He defended the crown 7 years with 11 title defenses.

But there was a difference this time in Laguna's title try. Brown, as champion in his heyday, never fought a fight in Panama. Laguna in the other hand, was local. He was the hero that the country was waiting for all these years. And Laguna was the one to do it, to make their dreams come through.

The fight was first scheduled for February 1965, but somehow and someway, Ortiz's management team pulled out of the fight. The fight was called off. It was rescheduled for Saturday night of April 10, 1965 at the Olympic Stadium in Panama City.

[elmersalsa]

The night of Saturday, April 10, 1965 finally arrived. It was a dream come true for all the country of Panama. It was the first time that a world title boxing match was ever held in that nation.

At 12 noon, the Panama City Olympic Stadium opened it's doors. The locals started to come in like a party like event. Many brought loud speakers, radios and music instruments to play Latin music all over the day and night. It was an anticipated event for the first time in that country. The streets were a ghost town. Just people around inside and out of the arena doing their drinking, smoking and talking about the incoming fight. That's all what Panama was about that day. A crowning moment for their hero. The referee for the bout was the great American boxer Jersey Joe Walcott, the former Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Ortiz, the betting favorite, at least in the United States, came confident. He is accustomed to fight in somebody's else turf. He was the favorite and deservedly so. He had ten more fights than Laguna. He has fought better opponents. Had five more years of experience. And to top it off, he was already a two-division world champion.

Every second, every minute and every hour passed and the crowd became more eager and anticipating. It was like children waiting for their Christmas present under the tree. The party kept going until fight time at 9pm.

When Laguna entered the ring, a big roar and round of applause awaited him. He looked in perfect shape. He got to. He can't let his countrymen down. And when the introductions finished, as soon as the bell for the first round rang, another big roar went bezerk.

Ortiz, the champion, as usual bumrush into Laguna, using his superior upper body strength against the young tiger. Laguna used his left fast jabs, fleet footwork and right crosses in keeping the champion at a distance.

Ortiz never fought a fighter with that hand and foot speed. It was unbelievable. The fight was kind of even by round six. But, by round seven and on, with the exhortation of the crowd behind Laguna, the young Panamanian started to show his class. It was all Laguna's.

In round ten, Laguna rocked Ortiz. Ortiz in bad shape somehow weathered the storm. But by that round, the fight was sealed in Laguna's favor. Ortiz sees that his crown is slipping away each round. It was not his night, but Laguna's.

By round 15, almost everyone at the stadium was convinced that the title changed hands. Laguna demonstrated a beautiful art of boxing. He was too fast for Carlos. The crowd knew that their hero had given the dream and the promise. They only were waiting for the seconds to tick zero and to hear the final decision. Ortiz needed a knockout to win. Useless! Not tonight.

When the fight ended a big roar went. It was bigger roar when Laguna was declared as the winner. The New Lightweight Champion of the World! Ismael Laguna of Panama! Panama finally got their second world boxing champion in 30 years.

Ortiz drops to 44-5, 1 No-contest, and 17 knockouts.
Laguna improves to 39-2, with 25 knockouts. It was the greatest win of his career.

The crowd left the arena like a party in 1999. Delirious and frenzied, they partied all the way until the morning. Ortiz left his crown in Panama City and quickly left to New York City.

In the crowd, seeing all this and with full of joy, was a fourteen year old lad that later became a great champion and boxing legend. His name? The great Roberto Duran!

[elmersalsa]

Four months has passed and in July 1965, not resting on his greatest win of his life, Ismael Laguna, the new World Lightweight Champion, went to Buenos Aires, Argentina of all places and challenge their best lightweight at the Luna Park Coliseum. The local name was future hall of famer and world champion Nicolino Locche.

Laguna and Locche fought for ten rounds, ending in a draw. Did the draw protected Locche and disappointed Laguna? I don't know. But, Laguna wanted to be a busy champion and show that his win over the great Carlos Ortiz wasn't a fluke. It was legit.

Meanwhile, Ortiz was still inactive and in vacation after losing the title. But 4 months later, he trained and prepared himself for a rematch against Laguna.

Just like Ortiz was lured to defend his crown in Panama City, Panama in April, Laguna was lured to defend his crown to Ortiz for a rematch in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium for Saturday, November 13, 1965.

There are no complete footage of that fight, and just a small clip of the rematch. This time, the referee was the great Rocky Marciano, the former World Heavyweight Champion of Brockton, MA that retired undefeated. Marciano is the only champion in the history of the heavyweights to retire undefeated. He retired undefeated champ with a record of 49-0, 43 knockouts in 1956.

Ortiz at 29, redeems himself and regains his title and is Lightweight Champion of the World for the second time and a three-time World Champion in two divisions. He recovered his crown without making a tune up fight in the process.

Ortiz improves to 46-5, 1 No-contest, with 17 knockouts.

Laguna, 22, goes back to Panama dejected and drops to 39-3, with 25 knockouts.

They will have a rubber match two years later.

[elmersalsa]

Correction, Laguna drops to 39-3-1, with 25 knockouts

[elmersalsa]

Carlos Ortiz, happy of winning back his coveted World Lightweight Crown from Ismael Laguna of Panama, now does the same thing that Laguna did by going to Buenos Aires, Argentina to have a ten-rounder against local future champion and hall of Fame boxer Nicolino Locche at Luna Park Coliseum in Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 7, 1966. The title was not at stake.

Locche, 27, was already a ring veteran of 76 fights starting his pro debut in December 1958 when he was 20 years old.

History being told that Locche was a heavy chain-smoker. He usually smoke 4 or 5 packs a day. And sometimes, while illegally done, smoke cigarettes in the ring between rounds. A very strange fellow boxer.

He was the local hero of Argentina in the 1960s decade. People from all over the country came to see him fight at Luna Park. He made Luna Park his footstool. His home.

How come, a guy like Locche, attracted so many Argentinians to see him fight? How can a football/soccer nation like Argentina would pack Luna Park to see this guy?

First, Argentina at the time was also a boxing driven nation. Boxing was probably their second favorite sport in the nation next to football. While in football, Argentina, a world power, has not at the time won a FIFA World Cup, having extraordinary gifted players like Alfredo Di Stefano and Angel Labruna to mention some, already had 2 boxing world champions in their rich boxing history: the great Pascual Perez and Horacio Accavallo. They also had Luis Angel Firpo, the Toy Bull of the Pampas, a long time ago heavyweight contender that dropped the great Jack Dempsey out of the ring in a world heavyweight title fight in 1923, which historians placed the fight as one of the all time best fights in history. Dempsey, helped by the boxing writers at ringside, got back inside the ring and stopped Firpo in the very same round to retain his crown in a wild slugfest. Argentina also at the time had young aspiring contenders like Oscar Bonavena at heavyweight, Victor Galindez at Light-heavyweight and their future all time hero, the great Carlos Monzon, who many consider him years later, as the greatest middleweight boxer of all-time and one of the Century's all time best boxers pound per pound.

Second, watching Locche was also a form of entertainment in the ring. He was really a showman. Not Muhammad Ali's type of showmanship, but a showmanship of boxing cleverness of making his opponents miss like ditto clowns. Some of his opponents could not believe that they were missing shots in a fight.

To see that if Locche had really the goods and that he could compete with the world's best, Argentinian promoters somehow lured former champion Laguna and now Ortiz to test his skills.

The fight like many of Ortiz performances, is not complete. There's clips of the fight in YouTube and unclear who really won the ten-rounder. Reports say that the locals booed the decision ending in a draw and that they really felt that Ortiz was the real winner. So, Laguna and Ortiz travelled to Buenos Aires for nought? You make the call.

Ortiz's record now is 46-5-1 with 1 No-contest, and 17 knockouts.

[elmersalsa]

After his fight against Argentinian boxing hero Nicolino Locche in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Carlos Ortiz, the World Lightweight Champion of Ponce, Puerto Rico defends goes to Pittsburgh, PA to defend his crown for the second sixth time in two title reigns against local top lightweight contender Johnny Bizzarro on June 20, 1966.

Bizzarro, 28, born in Italy, had a respectable record of 54-9-2 with 24 knockouts. He challenged the great Flash Elorde of the Philippines for the World Jr Lightweight Crown in 1963 losing to Elorde on points. This is second opportunity for a world title 3 years later.

The fight was a good one. Bizzarro had an underrated skill. He was a mover, one of Ortiz's Achilles heel. And he was really using his movement to great effect. At one point, he had the champion very frustrated.

But, in round 12, still an even fight, Ortiz gave Bizzarro a wicked left hook, and Bizzarro went down. Another left hook to the stomach and then came another barrage from the champion and the fight was stopped.

Ortiz retained his crown and improves to 47-5-1, with 1 No-contest, with 18 knockouts.

Two more fights, and Bizzarro retired for good with a record of 55-11-1 with 24 knockouts.

[elmersalsa]

Carlos Ortiz next fight was on October 22, 1966 in Mexico at Mexico City's Toreo de Correcaminos Bull Ring. It was Ortiz's seventh title defense of his second reign.

His opponent? This time was a dangerous one. It was former World Featherweight Champion Ultiminio "Sugar" Ramos of Cuba, a resident in Mexico since 1962.

In 1963, Ramos became world champion when he stopped long reigning champion Davey Moore of Springfield, KY. He stopped Moore in Los Angeles, CA in a brutal affair. Moore died days later after the bout.

In September, 1964, Ramos defended his featherweight crown against the great Vicente Saldivar of Mexico, who at the time of his fight with Ortiz, was still the the world featherweight king. Saldivar gave Ramos a serious shellacking in 12 bloodthirsty rounds. It was a very brutal affair. Saldivar was really the only man to date of Ramos' 55 fights to really beat him. The other loss was by disqualification.

Ramos went up to lightweight, winning his next 5 fights, and became contender for Ortiz's title.

Ramos, 25, has an excellent record of 50-2-3, with 35 knockouts.

The referee for the bout, was the great former World Light-heavyweight Champion Billy Conn of Pittsburgh, PA. Conn is most known for his classic battle that he almost won against former great champion Joe Louis for Louis's heavyweight crown in 1941.

Ramos dropped Ortiz with a right in the second round. The crowd went crazy. But, after the second, it was all Ortiz. Ortiz opened a gash on Ramos eyelid and referee Conn wanted to stop it. But, somehow he didn't. When Conn saw that Ramos was getting a shellacking, Conn intervened and declared Ortiz the winner, retaining the crown. The fight was over in the 5th round.

An angry crowd of 35,000 didn't like the result and started throwing beer bottles, cans and everything that they had in their hands. The WBC ordered a quick rematch.

Ortiz, 30, improves to 48-5-1, 1 No-contest with 19 knockouts.

Ramos drops to 50-3-3, with 35 knockouts.

[elmersalsa]

Carlos Ortiz returns to Madison Square Garden to defend his lightweight crown for the eighth time of his two reigns.

It was Monday, November 28, 1966. His opponent? The magnificent Jr Lightweight Champion of the World Flash Elorde of the Philippines.

This is their second meeting. Ortiz stopped Elorde in his first reign as lightweight champion on February 15, 1964 in Manila, Philippines. He stopped Elorde in the 14th round by technical knockout.

This is the eighth opponent that Ortiz fights more than once. His record in return matches is 13-5 with 1 No-contest to that point.

Elorde, 31, started his boxing pro career in 1951 at the age of 16. He was already a veteran of 15 years as a pro, and has won The Philippines, Oriental and World Jr Lightweight Crowns. He was at that point the World Jr Lightweight Champion and had already 9 title defenses. Among other great wins he had, was a ten round decision over the great Sandy Saddler in 1955. He lost to Saddler in the rematch by Technical knockout in the 13th round for Saddler's World Featherweight Title.

Elorde, a southpaw, came into the bout with a 81-20-2 record with 29 knockouts. He also had wins over Ismael Laguna (W10), Harold Gomes (twice), Percy Hayles (W10), Johnny Bizzarro (W15), Love Allotey (twice) and Rene Barrientos (W12).

Ortiz looked bigger than his adversary Elorde. And for 13 rounds he was on top of Elorde. Elorde had his moments, but the fight was mostly one-sided, dominated by the champion. A left and a right sent Elorde to the canvas.

Wilted, exhausted and beat, Elorde didn't get up. Ortiz proved that his first win over Elorde wasn't a fluke. He was superior in both fights.

Ortiz defended his lightweight crown successfully for the eighth time.

Ortiz improves to 49-5-1, with 1 No-contest and 20 knockouts.

[elmersalsa]

It was Sugar Ramos' turn to convince the critics that his lost against the magnificent great champion Carlos Ortiz of Ponce, Puerto Rico was a fluke.

Ramos, 26, of Matanzas, Cuba, but a resident of Mexico City since 1962, travelled to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the rematch mandated by the WBC.

The fight was staged for Saturday night of July 1, 1967 at the famous Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

This time, it was much more easier for Ortiz. He dropped Ramos in the 4th round and it was all over. Ortiz dropped right crosses, upper cuts, left hooks and everything but the kitchen sink to the defenseless Ramos with the crowd in the arena going wild. Ortiz looked good in front of his countrymen and retains his lightweight crown for the 9th time.

No excuses this time. Ortiz proved way superior to the smaller opponent Ramos. Ramos, a great fighter indeed, but didn't had the size nor the strength nor power to succumb the reigning champion. Ortiz looked too strong for him.

This is the fifth future hall of famer that Ortiz beats at lightweight. He beat Ismael Laguna, Flash Elorde (twice), Joe Brown and Ramos twice. All in title fights.

Ortiz improves to 50-5-1, 1 No-contest, with 21 knockouts.

Since his draw to hall of famer Nicolino Locche in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in February 1966, Ortiz had decided to only fight in world championship bouts instead. And it's giving great results.

[elmersalsa]

Sugar Ramos, the magnificent great Cuban former World Featherweight Champion, drops to 50-4-3.

[elmersalsa]

Next, for Carlos Ortiz, is the final fight and rubber match against his nemesis Ismael Laguna of Panama.

[elmersalsa]

Shea Stadium was set to stage the final fight of the trilogy between lightweight king Carlos Ortiz of Puerto Rico and ex-champion Ismael Laguna of Panama.

The fight was scheduled for Wednesday night of August 16, 1967. It was Ortiz's tenth title defense of his two reigns overall.

Ortiz had already two trilogies. This is his third and final trilogy. He had a trilogy loss against future hall of famer Duilio Loi of Milan, Italy in which he lost 2 of his 3 fights with the Italian. There were 45 rounds in three fights.

Ortiz also had a trilogy win against American Kenny Lane of Michigan, winning two out of three.

Ortiz had a record up to that point of 16-5, 1 No-contest with 8 knockouts with fighters that he fought more than once. He beat twice Ray Portilla, Doug Valliant, Sugar Ramos, Flash Elorde and Harry Bell. He split with Johnny Busso. He beat Lou Filippo in the second meeting. The first meeting with Filippo was a No-contest. And was 1-1 against Laguna. Ortiz didn't shied away from who was the best fighter the second or third time around. He was no stranger to second timers.

Lots have happened since Laguna and Ortiz met for the first time in April 1965 in Panama City, Panama.

In that short period of time, Laguna fought 11 times. While Ortiz since then has fought 6 times, including a win against Laguna in San Juan, Puerto Rico, recapturing the lightweight crown.

Laguna, now 24, won 8 fights, losing 2 with 1 draw. He was in a 6-fight win streak. The losses were against Ortiz and against hall of famer and World Jr Lightweight Champion at the time, Flash Elorde, in a ten-rounder in Elorde's backyard of Manila, Philippines. The draw was against future hall of famer and champion Nicolino Locche in Buenos Aires, Argentina in a ten-rounder.

Ortiz, now 30, won 5 fights and drew once since meeting Laguna. He had also had a draw with Locche in Buenos Aires in a ten-rounder. He has won his last 4 title fights, all by knockout! He regained the crown from Laguna in November, 1965 in San Juan.

[elmersalsa]

About 2,500 Panamanians flew from Panama City to New York to exhort their national hero Ismael Laguna in an attempt to win the lightweight crown for the second time. Laguna, 24, is confident to win the crown for the second time and give his country his third overall world championship in Panamanian boxing history.

It was a mobbed scene of Puerto Rican and Panamanian fans cheering for their fistic heroes. The referee is the great Arthur Mercante of New York City.

The site, Shea Stadium of the borough of Queens in New York City was electric. It was Wednesday night of August 16, 1967. Ortiz is making his tenth title defense of his lightweight crown.

Thousands of fans were screaming "Carlos!, Carlos!, Carlos!, Carlos!, Carlos!" from the Puerto Rican fans side and the Panamanian crowd fans were shouting "Laguna!, Laguna!, Laguna!, Laguna!, Laguna!" It was a very electrifying moment.

This is it. And it went. The fight was kind of even for the first 9 rounds. Ortiz, probably had the edge. But he really started to dominate after round 9. It was all Ortiz! He hit Laguna at will. Ortiz was very calculating. He was very strong.

Laguna seemed weak. He didn't had it in my view from the beginning. This is not the same Laguna that speed, timing and fleet-footing prowess was seen like in that first fight in Panama. He didn't had that pep in his punch. But, we can't discredit Ortiz. He fought great. He was stronger in the clinches, and his punching was great with lots of strength and determination.

Ortiz knew that he won the fight as the final bell rang. He knew that he was still the Lightweight Champion of the World. He was just waiting for the results and the announcement.

After the fight, Laguna said that he lost to a great champion. No excuses. Ortiz was better. But, it was not the end of the world for him. Three years later, in March 1970, Laguna becomes lightweight champion for the second time when he stopped defending champion Mando Ramos of Los Angeles, CA in 9 rounds.

[elmersalsa]

Ortiz, winner of his third trilogy, at 30, improves to 51-5-1 with 1 No-contest and 21 knockouts. It's the second time that he fights the second opponent (Ismael Laguna) for 45 rounds. The first one was Duilio Loi.

Laguna at 24, drops to 47-5-1, with 30 knockouts.

It was Ortiz's last title fight win and last great win of his career.

[elmersalsa]

It was the year 1968 and the great lightweight champion, the great Carlos Ortiz is nowhere near to be seen in a boxing gym or match. Where is Carlos?

Rumour has it that Ortiz in his prime years was an alcoholic. He loved alcohol and women the way men love sex. He has not fought in ten months, almost a year for his next title defense.

Maybe he was considering retirement. At 31, Ortiz was considered a bonafide hall of famer and true all-time pound per pound great as well as one of the greatest lightweight boxers that ever lived. In what position you rank him at lightweight? At least top 10 without a doubt! Ortiz was a great fighter and champion. A credit for boxing.

Maybe a shot to the welterweight crown against champion Curtis Cokes of Dallas, TX is not a bad idea. It would represent a big payday and a chance to become the sixth man ever in boxing history to win 3 world titles in 3 different weight classes since the great Emile Griffith did it in 1966. Is it time to be talking about retirement at 31 years of age? Yes! Ortiz does not have nothing else to prove.

Then, came the challenge from an unknown named Carlos "Teo" Cruz of all places. The question was, who is this guy? Who the hell is Carlos Teo Cruz?

Cruz, 29, born in Santiago de Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic was to be considered a waste of time for the sport. He was knocked out in his first professional fight in 1959. In his first 14 fights, Cruz had a mediocre record of 7-7, with only 3 knockouts.

Dominicans are known for merengue music and for the love of America's Pastime which is baseball. People in that country are very emotional, especially for that sport. But, in boxing, they haven't had a world boxing champion yet. So Cruz is the one for their hopes.

Cruz married a 14 year old girl while living in Puerto Rico. He has two children with the young maid.

It seems that marriage took him to start taking the sport of boxing much more seriously. Since December 1964, Cruz has only one loss in 18 contests, with 16 wins and a draw. He was coming from a six-fight win streak.

Among his notable opponents, he received a KO loss by future world champion, the hard-hitting Carlos "Morocho" Hernandez in two rounds in 1964. Cruz has a points win against top contender Percy Hayles of Jamaica and a split of wins against top lightweight contender Frankie Narvaez of Puerto Rico.

Still, that resume nor record wasn't enough to scare Ortiz who had a way better resume against world class opposition, much more experience and much more experience when title bouts is concerned.

Cruz came with a record of 35-12-2, with 13 knockouts. Still, not impressive enough to suggest the he is a at least good challenger.

[elmersalsa]

Well, Carlos Ortiz, the World Lightweight Champion of Ponce, Puerto Rico via New York City, was lured to come to defend his crown for the eleventh time to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic of all places!

Ortiz was lured by a $70,000 dollar payday. Cruz was only offered $7,000.

The champion was not stranger to visit an opponent and to kick that opponent's ass in his very own backyard. This is the seventh time as a world champion, that Ortiz is doing it. A world record at the time? Perhaps.

Cruz trained hard for the fight. He was ready and don't want to disappoint his countrymen in the Island's Quisqueya Stadium of Santo Domingo on Saturday night of June 29, 1968.

The crowd gathered at the arena with great anticipation. An anticipation never seen in the Island's history. The crowd roared wildly when their fistic local hero entered the ring. And roared much wildly when the first round bell rang. It was bezerk! The first world boxing championship in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic was underway. It was a dream and a reality for all Dominican Republic fans. Now, the other half of the reality is to win the crown. Can Cruz do it?

Well, he had a lot of hopes and prayers answered when in round one, Cruz connected a solid right to the champion's jaw. With a little push by Cruz, Ortiz went down for the eight-count. The crowd roared more wildly. They went ecstatic!

Ortiz seemed flat. Totally flat! Maybe is his time to call it a career. He didn't had it. Cruz showed poise and speed. It befuddled and confused the champion a lot.

There is no complete footage of that fight, but it was evidently clear that Ortiz's ten-month absence from the ring plus his lots of hard fights in the ring, finally took it's toll. He looked done!

By the time the clock ticked to zero, Dominicans knew that they had a boxing world champion. Their first world boxing champion in their boxing history.

When the announcement came, Carlos "Teo" Cruz won by split decision and is the new Lightweight Champion of the World! The crowd roared and partied until the daylight. Their dream came through.

[elmersalsa]

Carlos Ortiz drops to 51-6-1, 1 No-contest, and 21 knockouts. It's the third time that he loses a world crown in someone's backyard. The first time was against Italian Duilio Loi in Milan in 1960. The second time was in Panama City, Panama against Ismael Laguna in 1965. And now, to new crowned champion, Carlos "Teo" Cruz in Cruz's backyard of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

As for Cruz, he improves to 36-12-2 with 13 knockouts. It was the greatest win of his career. Hope, will and Perseverance paid off to a fighter that it looked very bleak in the beginning of his boxing career. He defended the crown to 19-year old prospect and future world champion Mando Ramos of Los Angeles, CA on points and then lost the crown to Ramos in the rematch.

Cruz, and his wife and two children died in a plane crash in 1970. He was 32 years old.

[elmersalsa]

Carlos Ortiz, the two-time former World Lightweight and one time Jr Welterweight Champion had a serious run of alcohol problems that affected his illustrious career. The alcoholic problems kept coming.

Ortiz seemed to take a break from boxing the rest of 1968 and most of 1969. On November 1969, Ortiz resumed his career at age 33 with a decision win against Edmundo Leite in New York City.

Ortiz won his next ten fights, this time, against weak and poor opposition. He was beating boxers that weren't in world class level. He didn't fight a single fight in the year 1970. In 1971, he fought one single fight.

But, he seemed to make up for the inactivity in 1970 for the year 1972, in which he fought 8 times! Winning them all!

On Wednesday night of September 20, 1972 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City, at the age of 36, Ortiz was scheduled to fight the new World Lightweight Champion, the great Roberto Duran of Panama. Duran, the Hands of Stone, was a 21-year old young shark that took the crown from Ken Buchanan of Scotland in that same year and place in June.

What happened? For somehow and somewhat, someway Duran pulled out for the fight because of a flu. So, the substitute for the fight was former champion Buchanan, who was 27 years old at the time.

Buchanan, eager to fight Duran for a rematch, accepted to fight Ortiz in only 8 day's notice.

That night was also the great Muhammad Ali of Louisville, KY, defending his NABF Heavyweight Title in his rematch against 37-year old and two-time World Heavyweight Champion, Floyd Patterson of Brooklyn, NY.

All I got to say until this day, that I give thanks, or Ortiz should have been giving thanks to JAH that Duran pulled out because of the flu. Duran would have destroyed him big time! There's no way, that Ortiz, in that performance against Buchanan, would have had any type of chance to beat Duran. It would have been a massacre. An abusive old ass beating that Duran would have been hated it for it.

Buchanan, though, didn't looked sharp because of the 8 days notice, still looked faster and sharper than the old Ortiz. Ortiz connected a few blows here and there, but to no effect. Seeing that at 36, he couldn't cope with the young Buchanan, Ortiz did not come out of his corner in round seven. It was a technical knockout win for the Scot.

Ashamed of his performance, Ortiz quit the game for good. He never again went inside a ring to fight for pay.

He finally retired with 61 wins, 7 losses, 1 No-contest with 30 knockouts.

Buchanan kept his hopes alive for a rematch with Duran. But, he never fought Duran again.

[elmersalsa]

Ironically, Carlos Ortiz and Floyd Patterson, retired in that same night of September 20, 1972. Both of them lost by technical knockout.

Carlos Ortiz had 11 world title bouts against 5 hall of famers. His record against hall of Fame boxers in world championship bouts is 8-3, with 4 knockouts. That was very impressive.

He was a fighter that fought at a world class level for 12 straight years. He wasn't pretty to watch, but very effective. He did everything well but not great. He was a thinking man's fighter and a great strategist. One of the very best of the 1960s decade. I just wish that a lot of his fights, for instance, the return bout with Ismael Laguna of Panama in San Juan, Puerto Rico could have been available somehow on film. If anyone got that complete footage of that fight on film, and other fights that are not available on YouTube, let me know. I will surely buy some copies.

What a fighter!