1. Carlos Ortiz
Remembered for his tremendous talent and success and the indelible mark he made on the island’s boxing legacy, Ortiz was the second puertorican to become a world champion winning three world titles during his career, two of them in the lightweight division and one in the welters. In 1991 Carlos became the first puertorican International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, and he currently holds the 21st place in the greatest pound by pound boxers of all time in BoxRex ranking.
2. Felix Trinidad
Better known as ‘TITO’, he is often considered the best puerto rican boxer of all time by sports analysts and journalists. In the year 2000, Felix was named fighter of the year by The Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers association of America. Trinidad is currently ranked 30th on The Ring’s list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. In 2004, after a successful career, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
3. Wilfredo Gomez Rivera
Referred to as ‘El Bazooka’ on account of his explosive punching power, he was crowned champion of the world three times during his career and still holds the record for most consecutive title defences coming by way of knockout, an unbelievable 17. The Ring magazine puts Wilfredo at number 13 in its list of the 100 greatest punchers of all time. In 1995, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
4. Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho
A boxing champion in three weight classes, although he is better remembered for his extravagance and charisma both in and out of the ring, which made him one of his era’s most remarkable sport stars. “El Macho”’s golden era came in the 80s when he won his first 38 fights as a professional. Camacho was shot dead in 2012, at the age of 50.
5. Miguel Angel Cotto
During his amateur career he represented Puerto Rico in multiple international events winning various medals before making the jump to the professional ranks in 2001. Cotto became the first Boricua to win titles in four different divisions. In 2007 and 2009, The Ring magazine named Cotto as the 7th best pound for pound boxer in the world. Miguel hung up his gloves in 2017 with a record of 41 victories, 33 KOs and just 6 losses.
6. Wilfred Benítez
the youngest boxing champion of all time, Benitez reached glory at the age of 17, in 1976, and, on January 14 1979, came back to win his second title at the age of 20. ‘El radar’ finished his career in 1990 with a record of 62 fights, 52 victories with 31 KO with 8 losses. He became a Hall of Famer in 1996.
7. Edwin Rosario
A three-time champion at lightweight and once at junior welterweight, el ‘chapo’ competed between 1979 and 1997. Rosario passed away in 1995. In 2006, he was included in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
8. Wilfredo Vasquez
One-of -six puertorrican boxers to have achieved world titles in three different divisions. ‘The pride of Puerto Rico’ won his belt in 1987, 11 years before he was defeated by a then unbeaten Naseem Hammed in his fourth and final title bout. Wilfredo retired in 2002, in 2010 his son Wilfredo Vasquez Jr , following in his father’s illustrious footsteps, fought for a featherweight world title.
9. Pedro Montañez
the king without a crown, 'el torito de Cayey' was Borinquen bella’s biggest sportstar during the 30s and is to date has the longest unbeaten streak of any puerto rican fighter, with 50 consecutive victories, although he never won a world title. Montañez was immortalized in the Hall of Fame in 2007, with his record of 92-7-4.
10. Juan Laporte
An absolute warrior, who guaranteed a tough night for every opponent who was put in front of him, with all of his losses coming at the hands of the very best. Laporte moved to New York at the age of seven and at 16 took up boxing. In 1982, at the age of 23, Juan reached glory winning the vacant WBC featherweight title against the colombian Mario Miranda. Nowadays, he is retired and living in his native Puerto Rico where, in his spare time, he teaches new generations the sport that gave him so much.
