The Top 10 Puerto Rican Boxers of All Time

BORICUA! That little island Puerto Rico has produced some of the greatest fighters in the history of boxing. We salute those that gave their blood, sweat and tears to the sport. Puerto Rico has given so much to the boxing game, Brunch Boxing wanted to honor its rich history with our Top 10 Fighters in Puerto Rican history.

1. Felix Trinidad

Felix Trinidad, also known as “Tito,” is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer who competed from 1990 to 2008. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes: welterweight, light middleweight, and middleweight. Renowned for his powerful punch and aggressive style, Trinidad had notable victories against Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014.

2. Wilfred Benitez

Wilfred Benitez is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer who fought from 1973 to 1990. He became the youngest world champion in boxing history at age 17 by winning the WBA light welterweight title. Benitez also held world titles in the welterweight and light middleweight divisions. Known for his defensive skills and ring intelligence, he had notable fights against Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994. Health issues, including severe brain damage, marked his later life.

3. Carlos Ortiz

Carlos Ortiz was a Puerto Rican professional boxer who competed from 1955 to 1972. He was a two-weight world champion, holding titles in the lightweight and light welterweight divisions. Ortiz is considered one of the greatest lightweight boxers of all time, with significant wins over Joe Brown and Ismael Laguna. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991 and passed away in 2022.

4. Wilfredo Gomez

Wilfredo Gomez, known as “Bazooka,” is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer who competed from 1974 to 1989. He held world championships in three weight classes: super bantamweight, featherweight, and super featherweight. Renowned for his knockout power, Gomez set a record by defending his super bantamweight title 17 times, all by knockout. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995.

5. Hector Camacho

Hector “Macho” Camacho was a Puerto Rican professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 2010. Known for his flamboyant personality and quick hands, he held world championships in three weight classes: super featherweight, lightweight, and junior welterweight. Camacho had notable victories over fighters like Roberto Durán and Sugar Ray Leonard. His life was marred by personal troubles, and he was tragically murdered in 2012. He was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

6. Miguel Cotto

Miguel Cotto is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2017. He is a four-weight world champion, having held titles in light welterweight, welterweight, light middleweight, and middleweight divisions. Known for his toughness and versatility, Cotto had memorable fights against Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Sergio Martinez. He was the first Puerto Rican boxer to win world titles in four different weight classes. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

7. Jose Torres

Jose Torres was a Puerto Rican professional boxer who competed from 1958 to 1969. He held the world light heavyweight title from 1965 to 1966. Torres was known for his powerful left hook and solid defense. After retiring from boxing, he became an author and a boxing commissioner. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997 and passed away in 2009.

8. Herbert Hardwick

Herbert Hardwick, also known as “Cocoa Kid,” was a Puerto Rican professional boxer who fought from 1930 to 1950. He competed primarily in the welterweight and middleweight divisions. Hardwick had a lengthy and successful career, facing many top fighters of his era but never won a world title. His contributions to boxing were recognized posthumously with his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012.

9. Edwin Rosario

Edwin “Chapo” Rosario was a Puerto Rican professional boxer who competed from 1979 to 1997. He was a three-time world champion in the lightweight division and also held a title in the junior welterweight division. Known for his punching power and aggressive style, Rosario had notable victories over fighters like Livingstone Bramble and Loreto Garza. He struggled with substance abuse and passed away in 1997 at the age of 34. He was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

10. Ivan Calderon

Ivan Calderon is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2012. He held world titles in the mini flyweight and light flyweight divisions. Known for his exceptional defensive skills and quickness, Calderon was undefeated for much of his career. He retired with a record of 35 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024.

Honorable Mentions:

Amanda Serrano

Amanda Serrano is a Puerto Rican professional boxer and mixed martial artist. She has held world championships in seven different weight classes, a record for a female boxer. Serrano is known for her knockout power and aggressive fighting style. She is one of the most successful and popular female boxers in the world, also crossing over into MMA with notable success.

Sixto Escobar

Sixto Escobar was a Puerto Rican professional boxer who competed from 1930 to 1940. He was the first Puerto Rican to win a world boxing title, capturing the world bantamweight championship in 1935. Escobar was known for his technical skills and toughness. He is a national hero in Puerto Rico and was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2002.

Pedro Montanez

Pedro Montanez was a Puerto Rican professional boxer who fought from 1931 to 1940. Competing mainly in the lightweight division, he was known for his aggressive style and powerful punches. Montanez fought several notable boxers of his era but never captured a world title. He retired with an impressive record of 91 wins, 7 losses, and 4 draws. He was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Esteban De Jesús

Esteban De Jesús was a Puerto Rican professional boxer who competed from 1969 to 1980. He held the WBC lightweight title and was the first boxer to defeat Roberto Durán as a professional. Known for his skill and tenacity in the ring, De Jesús struggled with personal issues, including drug addiction, which affected his career. He died of AIDS-related complications in 1989.

Carlos DeLeon

Carlos DeLeon was a Puerto Rican professional boxer who competed from 1974 to 1995. He held the WBC cruiserweight title four times, making him one of the most successful fighters in the division’s history. DeLeon was known for his resilience and power. He had notable victories over top contenders of his time and was a key figure in establishing the cruiserweight division.