By Per Ake Persson,

Spanish all-time great Antonio Ortiz has passed away at the age of 69 after a lengthy illness, reports espabox.com. Ortiz´s record is according to Italian record book Pugilato 54-18-7, in a career that lasted from 1965 through 1977. Ortiz held the national title at junior welter and welter. In 1973 he challenged then EBU jr welter king Cemal Kamaci in Istanbul and came away with the title after a career best performance. In 74 he challenged WBC ruler Bruno Arcari in Italy but lost. Later that year he beat tough Frenchman Roger Zami but then lost the EBU title to Perico Fernandez. Ortiz then moved up to welter and won the Spanish title. Of note is the five fights with the legendary Angel Robinson Garcia and these two went 2-2-1.