By Gabriel F. Cordero
Sad to report that Boxing Hall of Famer Carlos Ortiz has passed away at 85 years of age. Ortiz was a three-time world champion in two divisions, lightweight and super lightweight. At lightweight, he remained champion for nine years and was one of the great 135-pounders of all time, behind only Roberto ‘Mano de Piedra’ Durán and Julio César Chávez. He boxed from 1955 to 1973, and compiled a professional mark of 61-7-1 with 30 KOs.
Rest easy champ! Congrats on a life well lived.
Paved the way for the likes of Camacho, Rosario, Trinidad and Cotto!! Thank you Champ!!
Great fighter…RIP.
A great man who I loved dearly, I trained with him as his paid sparring partner for the Gabriel “Flash” Elorde fight and we stayed pals ever since. R.I.P. Great warrior. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVaGfwpzzJA&t=4s
Great fighter and humble man.
Rest In Peace Champ and may God comfort your family and loved ones…
Great fighter and awesome dude to meet, he was often at local NYC fights, met a few times, really great champsion. Rest in Power.
I was lucky and was able to spend time with Carlos and his wife Maria. It feels like I was celebrating his 70th Birthday with him. He was a very nice person
Great fighter. Maybe Puerto Rico’s greatest. God bless Champ.
Sad news. Carlos Ortiz was a great fighter and great man. Humble, full of character and substance, the world is a lesser place by his passing.
Carlos ranks with Ike Williams, Benny Leonard , Roberto Duran and Henry Armstrong.
Rest in peace champ
Bennie Leonard was also a great lightweight champ…
May God give comfort and peace to Carlos’s family
Respect. Admiration. So proud you were such a great Boricua.
Carlos Ortiz was a great man and a great boxer. Every time I had the good fortune of running in to him, he was so gracious and kind.