Carlos Ortiz obit

Carlos Ortiz (1936–2022), Hall of Fame boxing champion

 

He was not on the list.

A native of Puerto Rico, Ortiz moved to New York with his family and began boxing professionally at age 18. After a successful early career, he captured the world championship as we light welterweight in 1959, fighting Kenny Lane for a title that had been vacant for years. After successfully defending his title twice, Ortiz took the unusual step of going down a weight division to lightweight. He fought Joe Brown to win the lightweight championship in 1962. Ortiz lost his title to Ismael Laguna in 1965 but regained it in a rematch, holding the world championship until 1968. He retired upon that defeat, ending his career with 61 wins and seven losses. Ortiz was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991, the first Puerto Rican boxer to be honored there.

Ortiz, born in Ponce, started his professional career in 1955 with a first round knockout of Harry Bell in New York City. He moved from Puerto Rico to New York before he began boxing as a professional, he would campaign there during the first stages of his career. After 9 bouts there, he fought outside New York for the first time, moving to Massachusetts to knock Al Duarte out in 4 rounds. His next 3 bouts were also outside New York, but he stayed within the confines of New England, as they happened, once again in Massachusetts, and in New Jersey.

He returned to New York again and won 4 more bouts in a row, then made his California debut, beating Mickey Northrup by a decision in 10 rounds. 2 more fights in California and one in New York went by, after which he returned to California to meet Lou Filippo, who was subsequently inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame as a referee. The first time, it was declared a no-contest after 9 rounds, but in the second, Carlos prevailed, by a knockout in 9. 5 more wins followed, and then he met Johnny Busso, who handed Carlos his first loss, on a 10-round decision. That fight was held in New York, and in an immediate rematch between Ortiz and Busso, Carlos won, also by a 10-round decision, and also in New York.

Next Carlos flew to England to meet Dave Charnley, who was considered one of the top challengers of that time. Ortiz won the fight at Harringay Arena on a 10-round decision, after which promoters thought he was ready for a world title try.

Tributes to Carlos Ortiz

    Carlos Ortiz, one of the very greatest lightweights and one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers of all time, has died aged 85. The greatest Puerto Rican fighter of all time, the two-time unified world champ at 135lbs AND 140lbs. Just look at him in full flow. pic.twitter.com/Y69a66YdLj

    — Combat Chronicles (@C0mbatChr) June 14, 2022

    Carlos Ortiz was one of the best fighters of the 60s and one of the finest that Puerto Rico every produced. R.I.P.

    — adam abramowitz (@snboxing) June 14, 2022

    RIP Carlos Ortiz = 2x World Lightweight Champion and 1x Light Welterweight Champion, elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991. Pictured here beating Ismael Laguna in their 3rd encounter, fought at Shea Stadium in 1967. #CarlosOrtiz #RIP #boxing #RIPCarlosOrtiz #champion pic.twitter.com/IiBRTKlYQh

    — The Thrill of Victory (@ThrillVictory) June 13, 2022

    RIP former lightweight champion & boxing hall of famer Carlos Ortiz. This pic was shortly after I lost one of my fights, he went out of his way to come up to me afterwards & tell me he thought I won, giving me some encouraging words, I’ll never forget his kindness. #CarlosOrtiz pic.twitter.com/n9Rkmn0Wcs

    — Mickey Dunne (@MickeyDunne18) June 13, 2022

    'Where else could a poor kid from Puerto Rico get the break I got, if not from boxing?' – Carlos Ortiz

    One of Puerto Rico's greatest ever boxers, Carlos Ortiz has sadly passed away, aged 85.

    Rest in Peace, Champ. The global boxing community will never forget you.#boxing pic.twitter.com/iAUNcJC1r5

    — The Loneliest Sport (@LoneliestSport) June 13, 2022

    Carlos Ortiz meant so much to the sport. What a great fighter he was. He will be missed. #boxing

    — Christian Giudice (@chrisgiudice) June 13, 2022