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By Gabriel Reyes
I had the opportunity to visit the great Island of Puerto Rico back in August and I remembered the legacy of great boxers that emerged from this wonderful and festive land. It’s amazing how so many great fighters from Puerto Rico have been able to compete in an even fashion against larger nations like the United States, Mexico, and the rest of the World. I want to reminisce about some of the famous fighters from Puerto Rico and express my appreciation of the talent to which Puerto Rico has given to the sport of boxing.
Wilfredo ‘Bazooka’ Gomez who turned professional in 1974, became one of the most prolific punchers in boxing. Gomez was born in Monjas, Puerto Rico in 1956 and sported a career record of 44-3-1. It is significant to note that 42 of Gomez 44 wins were by way of knockout. Gomez’ legacy of KO percentage was due to his trademark right cross. His hook broke noses, but his right cross was consistently delivered with pinpoint accuracy. Gomez was inducted in the International Boxing Hall of fame in Canastota, New York in 1995.
Following in the legacy of Gomez, is Wilfredo Benitez whom we all know became the youngest boxer in history at the age of 17 to capture a world title in (1976) at junior welterweight. Born in 1958, Benitez career flourished in the late 70’s and early 80’s earning tremendous pay days from showdowns against Sugar Ray Leonard, Carlos Palomino, Roberto Duran, and Thomas Hearns, among others. Benitez was inducted in the International Boxing Hall of fame in Canastota, New York in 1996. He captured three world titles during his professional career. (Jr. Middleweight (1981), Welterweight (1979), Jr. Welterweight (1976).
Then you had Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho who was born in 1962. Camacho became a three time world champion, and earned the flamboyant reputation inside the boxing ring and inspired by Muhammad Ali. Born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, his family moved to New York and Camacho became involved in boxing as a teenager. He turned professional in 1980 and won his first title in 1981 over Blaine ****son. Among Camacho’s famous fights include Rafael "Bazooka" Limon, Roque Montoya, Edwin Rosario, Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini, Vinnie Pazienza, Julio Cesar Chavez, Roberto Duran, and Felix Trinidad.
Edwin Rosario is another boxing great who earned three world titles during his boxing reign (WBC lightweight 1983, WBA lightweight 1986, WBA junior welterweight 1991). Born in 1962 in Puerto Rico, he went professional in 1979 with most of his fight victories being by way of knockout. Rosario became known for his left hook, which put down Camacho in 1986. Rosario career record was 43-6, 37 Ko’s.
Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad is Puerto Rico’s more recent prize and hero. Felix Trinidad was born in Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico in 1973, and began his professional career in 1990. Tito was able to display a terrific and fundamental boxing lesson by imposing strong will over his opponents. Tito trained to always go the distance, and seldom showed any reluctance to trade blows inside the ring with anyone. Felix Trinidad captured four world titles, IBF welterweight in 1993, WBA super welterweight in 2000, IBF middleweight in 2000, and WBA middleweight in 2001. Tito became regarded as undisputed champion in the welterweight and middleweight divisions. Tito’s left hook was perhaps the most dominant, and he became more dangerous if you knocked him down.
I had the opportunity to visit the great Island of Puerto Rico back in August and I remembered the legacy of great boxers that emerged from this wonderful and festive land. It’s amazing how so many great fighters from Puerto Rico have been able to compete in an even fashion against larger nations like the United States, Mexico, and the rest of the World. I want to reminisce about some of the famous fighters from Puerto Rico and express my appreciation of the talent to which Puerto Rico has given to the sport of boxing.
Wilfredo ‘Bazooka’ Gomez who turned professional in 1974, became one of the most prolific punchers in boxing. Gomez was born in Monjas, Puerto Rico in 1956 and sported a career record of 44-3-1. It is significant to note that 42 of Gomez 44 wins were by way of knockout. Gomez’ legacy of KO percentage was due to his trademark right cross. His hook broke noses, but his right cross was consistently delivered with pinpoint accuracy. Gomez was inducted in the International Boxing Hall of fame in Canastota, New York in 1995.
Following in the legacy of Gomez, is Wilfredo Benitez whom we all know became the youngest boxer in history at the age of 17 to capture a world title in (1976) at junior welterweight. Born in 1958, Benitez career flourished in the late 70’s and early 80’s earning tremendous pay days from showdowns against Sugar Ray Leonard, Carlos Palomino, Roberto Duran, and Thomas Hearns, among others. Benitez was inducted in the International Boxing Hall of fame in Canastota, New York in 1996. He captured three world titles during his professional career. (Jr. Middleweight (1981), Welterweight (1979), Jr. Welterweight (1976).
Then you had Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho who was born in 1962. Camacho became a three time world champion, and earned the flamboyant reputation inside the boxing ring and inspired by Muhammad Ali. Born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, his family moved to New York and Camacho became involved in boxing as a teenager. He turned professional in 1980 and won his first title in 1981 over Blaine ****son. Among Camacho’s famous fights include Rafael "Bazooka" Limon, Roque Montoya, Edwin Rosario, Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini, Vinnie Pazienza, Julio Cesar Chavez, Roberto Duran, and Felix Trinidad.
Edwin Rosario is another boxing great who earned three world titles during his boxing reign (WBC lightweight 1983, WBA lightweight 1986, WBA junior welterweight 1991). Born in 1962 in Puerto Rico, he went professional in 1979 with most of his fight victories being by way of knockout. Rosario became known for his left hook, which put down Camacho in 1986. Rosario career record was 43-6, 37 Ko’s.
Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad is Puerto Rico’s more recent prize and hero. Felix Trinidad was born in Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico in 1973, and began his professional career in 1990. Tito was able to display a terrific and fundamental boxing lesson by imposing strong will over his opponents. Tito trained to always go the distance, and seldom showed any reluctance to trade blows inside the ring with anyone. Felix Trinidad captured four world titles, IBF welterweight in 1993, WBA super welterweight in 2000, IBF middleweight in 2000, and WBA middleweight in 2001. Tito became regarded as undisputed champion in the welterweight and middleweight divisions. Tito’s left hook was perhaps the most dominant, and he became more dangerous if you knocked him down.
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