1. Carlos Ortiz.
Carlos Ortiz, the first Puerto Rican to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991, currently holds the prestigious title of being ranked as the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of the 21st century. He achieved incredible success and left an unforgettable mark on the boxing world, winning three world titles in two different weight divisions – welterweight and lightweight. Ortiz’s talent and tremendous achievements have solidified his legacy as a boxing icon, making him a second Puerto Rican to become a world champion.
2. Felix Trinidad.
He was enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004 following a prosperous career. Trinidad presently holds the 30th position on The Ring’s compilation of the top 100 exceptional punchers in history. Felix, who was bestowed with the Fighter of the Year title by The Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America, was honored with this distinction in the year 2000. Widely regarded as the greatest Puerto Rican boxer by sports analysts and journalists, he is more commonly recognized as ‘TITO’.
3. Wilfredo Gomez Rivera.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The Ring magazine puts him at number 13 on its list of the 100 greatest punchers of all time. He still holds the record for the most consecutive title defences, coming in an unbelievable knockout way of 17. He was crowned world champion three times during his career. He is referred to as ‘Bazooka’ El due to his explosive power punching.
4. Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho.
Camacho, who was 50 years old at the time, was killed in 2012. His most successful period was during the 1980s, where he achieved victory in his initial 38 professional fights. He is primarily recognized for his flamboyance and charm, both inside and outside of the boxing ring, which solidified his status as one of the most extraordinary athletes of his time, despite being a champion in three different weight divisions.
5. Miguel Angel Cotto.
Miguel hung up his gloves with a record of 6 losses and 33 knockouts, along with 41 victories. He was named the 7th best pound-for-pound boxer in the world by The Ring magazine in 2009 and 2007. Cotto became the first Boricua to win titles in four different divisions. Before making the jump to the professional ranks in 2001, he represented Puerto Rico in multiple international events, winning various medals throughout his amateur career.
6. Wilfred Benítez.
In 1996, he achieved the status of a Hall of Famer. With 8 defeats, 31 knockouts, and 52 triumphs in 62 bouts, ‘El radar’ concluded his professional career in 1990. At the young age of 20, on January 14, 1979, he made a successful comeback to secure his second championship. Benitez attained greatness at the tender age of 17 in 1976, establishing himself as the youngest ever boxing champion.
7. Edwin Rosario.
In 2006, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Rosario died in 1995. A three-time titleholder at lightweight and once at junior welterweight, el ‘chapo’ fought between 1979 and 1997.
8. Wilfredo Vasquez.
He attained global championships in three distinct categories, being one of only six Puerto Rican boxers to do so. However, his undefeated record was tarnished in his fourth and last title fight when he was defeated by the then unbeaten Naseem Hammed, a whole 11 years before he claimed his own championship in 1987. Wilfredo eventually retired in 2002. Following in his father’s remarkable legacy, his son Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. Competed for a world featherweight title in 2010, proudly carrying on the tradition as ‘The pride of Puerto Rico’.
9. Pedro Montañez.
“In 2007, Montañez was immortalized in the Hall of Fame with a record of 92-7-4. Although he never won a world title, he holds the longest unbeaten streak of any Puerto Rican fighter with 50 consecutive victories, making him the biggest sportstar of the 30s. ‘El torito de Cayey,’ the crowned king of Borinquen, was his nickname.”
10. Juan Laporte.
In his spare time, Mario Miranda, a retired resident of Puerto Rico, now living in his native country, teaches the new generations the sport he loves. At the age of 23 in 1982, Juan reached glory by winning the vacant WBC featherweight title against his Colombian opponent. Laporte moved to New York at the age of 16 and began his boxing career at the age of seven. He was always faced with tough opponents who guaranteed a challenging fight, making him an absolute warrior.