Manuel Ortiz (boxer)

Manuel Ortiz (July 2, 1916 – May 31, 1970) was an American professional boxer in the bantamweight division and one of the very best boxers of the 1940s, and was named to Ring Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years. In 1996, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.[1]

Manuel Ortiz
Ortiz, circa 1950
Born
Manuel Ortiz

(1916-07-02)July 2, 1916
Corona, California, United States
DiedMay 31, 1970(1970-05-31) (aged 53)
NationalityAmerican
Statistics
Weight(s)Lightweight
Featherweight
Bantamweight
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Reach66 in (168 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights131
Wins100
Wins by KO54
Losses28
Draws3
No contests0

Amateur career

Ortiz, who was of Mexican descent, started an amateur career in 1937.[2] Within a year, Ortiz won the Southern California Amateur Flyweight Title, the Golden Gloves Title, and the National AAU title in Boston. He also defeated Chief Lopez, who was an Olympic runner-up, and Bobby Hagar (father of former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar) twice. In their first fight, Ortiz decked Hagar 17 times. In their second match, Ortiz decked Hagar twenty times.

Professional career

Ortiz turned pro in 1938 and in 1942 won the World Bantamweight title by beating Lou Salica.[1] He defended the title a division record of 15 times against 11 boxers[2] before losing to Harold Dade in 1947. He regained the title in a rematch later in the year, and defended the title four more times giving him the most combined title defenses of any bantamweight champion in history at 19 title defenses. After losing his undisputed championship to the undefeated Vic Toweel in 1950, he went on to fight for 5 more years never getting a chance at an unprecedented third bantamweight title reign.

Outside the Ring

  • Ortiz made a very brief appearance in a gym scene in the 1947 movie Killer McCoy.
  • Ortiz served in the U.S. Army.
  • Ortiz died from cirrhosis of the liver after a long illness in 1970.
  • Ortiz is the very first boxer in the prominent boxing online database on BoxRec, having the Global ID number of simply "1".[3]
  • Ortiz spent most of his life living in El Centro, CA. Town in which he is currently buried.

Professional boxing record

131 fights100 wins28 losses
By knockout541
By decision4627
Draws3
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
131Loss100–28–3Enrique EsquedaPTS10Dec 10, 1955Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
130Win100–27–3Papelero SanchezKO3 (10)Aug 16, 1955Plaza de Toros, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
129Win99–27–3Memo ValeroKO3 (10)Jul 22, 1955Campo de Softbol, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
128Win98–27–3Manuel HernandezKO4 (10)Jun 10, 1955Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
127Win97–27–3Manuel HernandezTKO6 (10)Mar 13, 1953Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
126Loss96–27–3Eddie ChavezUD10Sep 3, 1951San Jose, California, U.S.
125Loss96–26–3Jackie GravesUD10Jul 17, 1951Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
124Loss96–25–3Tirso Del RosarioPTS10Jun 2, 1951Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
123Win96–24–3Bonnie EspinosaKO8 (10)Mar 3, 1951Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
122Loss95–24–3Lauro SalasMD10Jan 26, 1951Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
121Loss95–23–3Eddie ChavezSD10Dec 5, 1950Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
120Win95–22–3Jackie McCoyUD10Nov 10, 1950Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
119Loss94–22–3Vic ToweelPTS15May 31, 1950Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaLost NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
118Win94–21–3Harold DadeSD10Mar 7, 1950Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
117Win93–21–3Theo MedinaPTS10Nov 14, 1949Palais des Sports, Paris, France
116Win92–21–3Jackie PatersonPTS10Oct 26, 1949Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
115Loss91–21–3Ronnie ClaytonPTS10Oct 3, 1949King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England
114Loss91–20–3Jimmy CooperMD10Aug 29, 1949Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S.
113Win91–19–3Tony VazquezKO4 (?)Jul 23, 1949Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico
112Win90–19–3Memo ValeroKO7 (10)Jul 16, 1949Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
111Win89–19–3Leonardo LopezKO5 (10)Jul 9, 1949Plaza de Toros, Torreon, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico
110Win88–19–3Beto CarvajalPTS10Jun 29, 1949Merida, Yucatán, Mexico
109Loss87–19–3Beto CouaryPTS10Jun 25, 1949Veracruz, Mexico
108Win87–18–3Pinky PeraltaTKO5 (10)May 20, 1949Monumental Plaza de Toros México, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
107Win86–18–3Baby MickeyKO5 (10)May 15, 1949Sonora, Mexico
106Win85–18–3Lauro SalasUD10Apr 26, 1949Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
105Loss84–18–3Henry DavisUD10Mar 29, 1949Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
104Win84–17–3Dado MarinoUD15Mar 1, 1949Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, HawaiiRetained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
103Win83–17–3Jose CardenasUD10Jan 1, 1949 Plaza de Toros, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
102Loss82–17–3Maxie DocusenUD10Dec 14, 1948Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
101Win82–16–3Buddy JacklichKO8 (10)Oct 29, 1948Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
100Loss81–16–3Lauro SalasUD10Sep 28, 1948Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
99Win81–15–3Memo ValeroKO8 (15)Jul 4, 1948 Plaza de Toros, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
98Win80–15–3Henry DavisSD10May 25, 1948Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
97Win79–15–3Joey DolanRTD6 (10)Apr 27, 1948Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
96Win78–15–3Tirso Del RosarioPTS15Dec 20, 1947Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
95Loss77–15–3Manny OrtegaTKO8 (10)Oct 15, 1947County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
94Win77–14–3David Kui Kong YoungSD15May 30, 1947Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, HawaiiRetained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
93Win76–14–3Harold DadeUD15Mar 11, 1947Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Won NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
92Loss75–14–3Harold DadeUD15Jan 6, 1947Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.Lost NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
91Loss75–13–3Carlos ChavezUD12Oct 22, 1946Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.For vacant USA California State featherweight title
90Win75–12–3David Kui Kong YoungKO7 (10)Jul 12, 1946Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
89Win74–12–3Jackie JurichKO11 (15)Jun 10, 1946Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
88Win73–12–3Kenny LindsayKO5 (15)May 22, 1946Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
87Win72–12–3Horace LeftwichUD10Apr 22, 1946Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
86Draw71–12–3Carlos ChávezPTS15Mar 19, 1946Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.For vacant USA California State featherweight title
85Win71–12–2Luis CastilloKO13 (15)Feb 25, 1946Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
84Win70–12–2Eli GolindoTKO4 (10)Feb 15, 1946Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
83Win69–12–2Proctor HeinholdPTS10Nov 20, 1945Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
82Win68–12–2Jose AndreasUD10Nov 12, 1945Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
81Win67–12–2Horace LeftwichPTS10Nov 2, 1945Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
80Win66–12–2Bert WhiteKO7 (10)Jan 26, 1945Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
79Win65–12–2Jose GonzalezMD10Jan 12, 1945Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
78Win64–12–2Lorenzo SaforaPTS10Nov 22, 1944Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
77Win63–12–2Luis CastilloTKO9 (15)Nov 14, 1944Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
76Win62–12–2Carlos ChávezSD10Sep 30, 1944Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
75Win61–12–2Luis CastilloTKO4 (15)Sep 12, 1944Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
74Win60–12–2Enrique BolanosTKO6 (10)Aug 29, 1944Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
73Loss59–12–2Willie PepUD10Jul 17, 1944Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
72Win59–11–2Larry BolvinUD10Jun 29, 1944Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
71Win58–11–2Pee Wee LewisTKO9 (10)May 19, 1944Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
70Win57–11–2Tony OliveraUD15Apr 4, 1944Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
69Win56–11–2Ernesto AguilarUD15Mar 14, 1944Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
68Win55–11–2Benny GoldbergUD15Nov 23, 1943Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
67Win54–11–2Leonardo LopezKO4 (15)Oct 1, 1943Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
66Win53–11–2Fillo GonzalezKO5 (10)Sep 4, 1943 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
65Win52–11–2Leonardo LopezUD10Aug 13, 1943Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
64Win51–11–2Joe RobletoTKO7 (15)Jul 12, 1943Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington, U.S.Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
63Win50–11–2Tony OliveraTKO7 (10)Jun 25, 1943Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
62Win49–11–2Joe RobletoUD15May 26, 1943Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach, California, U.S.Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
61Win48–11–2Lupe CordozaKO6 (15)Apr 28, 1943Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
60Win47–11–2Joe RobletoPTS10Apr 16, 1943Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
59Win46–11–2Pedro RamirezKO6 (10)Apr 2, 1943Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
58Win45–11–2Lou SalicaTKO11 (15)Mar 10, 1943Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.Retained NBA, and The Ring bantamweight titles;
Won vacant NYSAC bantamweight title
57Win44–11–2George FreitasTKO10 (15)Jan 27, 1943Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.Retained NBA, and The Ring bantamweight titles
56Win43–11–2Kenny LindsayUD10Jan 1, 1943Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.Retained NBA, and The Ring bantamweight titles
55Win42–11–2Nat CorumTKO6 (10)Oct 30, 1942Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
54Win41–11–2Nat CorumPTS10Oct 9, 1942Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
53Win40–11–2Bobby CarrollKO5 (10)Sep 25, 1942Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
52Win39–11–2Lou SalicaUD12Aug 7, 1942Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.Won NBA and The Ring bantamweight titles
51Win38–11–2Elwood RomeroTKO6 (10)Jul 3, 1942Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
50Win37–11–2Leonardo LopezTKO10 (10)May 30, 1942Plaza de Toros, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
49Win36–11–2Kenny LindsayKO6 (10)May 8, 1942Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
48Win35–11–2Little PanchoKO7 (10)Mar 6, 1942Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
47Win34–11–2Tony OliveraMD10Jan 2, 1942Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.Won USA California bantamweight title
46Win33–11–2Johnny GradyPTS8Nov 21, 1941Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
45Win32–11–2Donnie MaesSD10Nov 7, 1941Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
44Loss31–11–2Tony OliveraPTS10Aug 8, 1941Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.For USA California bantamweight title
43Win31–10–2Lou TransparentiKO7 (10)Jun 6, 1941Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
42Win30–10–2Chucho LlanesPTS8May 14, 1941San Bernardino A.C., San Bernardino, California, U.S.
41Win29–10–2Carlos ChávezPTS10May 9, 1941Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
40Draw28–10–2Carlos ChávezPTS10Apr 4, 1941Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
39Win28–10–1Lupe CordozaTKO8 (10)Mar 14, 1941Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
38Win27–10–1Joe RobletoTKO6 (10)Feb 11, 1941Calexico Arena, Calexico, California, U.S.
37Win26–10–1Rush DalmaKO3 (10)Jan 10, 1941Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
36Win25–10–1Carlos ManzanoKO6 (10)Oct 26, 1940Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
35Win24–10–1Panchito VillaTKO7 (10)Oct 10, 1940Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
34Loss23–10–1Panchito VillaPTS10May 18, 1940Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
33Win23–9–1Panchito VillaPTS10Apr 20, 1940Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
32Win22–9–1Jackie JurichTKO9 (10)Apr 5, 1940Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
31Win21–9–1Andy VasquezTKO5 (6)Mar 21, 1940Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
30Draw20–9–1Little DadoPTS10Jan 30, 1940Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, U.S.
29Win20–9Elwood RomeroPTS10Dec 14, 1939Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
28Win19–9Cyril JosephKO5 (10)Dec 5, 1939San Jose, California, U.S.
27Win18–9Horace MannPTS10Oct 24, 1939Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
26Loss17–9Donnie MaesPTS10Oct 17, 1939Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
25Loss17–8Lou SalicaPTS10Sep 15, 1939Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
24Loss17–7Bobby LeyvasPTS10Aug 8, 1939Riverview Bowl, Yuma, Arizona, U.S.
23Loss17–6Jackie JurichPTS10Jun 9, 1939Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.For vacant American flyweight title
22Win17–5Sammy LaPorteTKO7 (10)May 4, 1939El Centro Arena, El Centro, California, U.S.
21Win16–5Tommy CobbPTS10Apr 11, 1939Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
20Win15–5Jackie JurichTKO7 (10)Mar 14, 1939Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
19Loss14–5Small MontanaPTS10Jan 2, 1939Stockton, California, U.S.
18Win14–4Bernie ReyesPTS10Dec 6, 1938Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
17Loss13–4David Kui Kong YoungPTS10Nov 8, 1938Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
16Win13–3Richie LemosPTS10Oct 21, 1938Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
15Win12–3Richie LemosPTS6Sep 30, 1938Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
14Win11–3Kent MartinezKO1 (4)Sep 23, 1938Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
13Win10–3Tony NavarroKO3 (?)Aug 15, 1938El Centro, California, U.S.
12Loss9–3Benny GoldbergPTS4Aug 5, 1938Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
11Loss9–2Pablo DanoPTS6Jul 5, 1938Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
10Win9–1Reuben AyonTKO5 (6)Jun 27, 1938Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, California, U.S.
9Win8–1Frenchy SavidanPTS4Jun 24, 1938Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
8Win7–1Joe RickeyTKO3 (6)Jun 6, 1938Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, California, U.S.
7Win6–1Sammy LaPortePTS4Jun 3, 1938Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
6Win5–1Santos HugoTKO4 (4)May 17, 1938Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
5Win4–1General PadillaTKO4 (4)May 3, 1938Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
4Win3–1Serio MendozaPTS4Apr 14, 1938Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
3Win2–1Frenchy SavidanPTS4Mar 25, 1938Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
2Win1–1Tony NavarroPTS4Mar 11, 1938Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
1Loss0–1Benny GoldbergPTS4Feb 25, 1938Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.

See also

References

External links

Achievements
Preceded by World Bantamweight Champion
7 Aug 1942– 6 Jan 1947
Succeeded by
Preceded by World Bantamweight Champion
11 Mar 1947– 31 May 1950
Succeeded by