Gaby Canizales


Jose 'Gaby' Canizales is an American former professional boxer who won the Lineal championship in the bantamweight division.

Early life

Canizales was born in Laredo in Webb County, Texas.

Pro career

Canizales turned pro in 1979 and in 1983 challenged Jeff Chandler for the World Boxing Association bantamweight title but lost a decision. In 1986 he landed a shot at Richie Sandoval for the Lineal and WBA bantamweight title. Canizales dominated, and knocked Sandoval down once in the 1st, once in the 5º, and three times in the 7th round, winning via a 7th-round knockout. He lost the belt in his first defense to Bernardo Pinango via decision. In 1990, he challenged Raúl Pérez for the World Boxing Council bantamweight title but lost a decision. In 1991, he fought Miguel Lora for the vacant World Boxing Organization bantamweight title and won via 2nd-round knockout, after being dropped in round one by the Colombian. He lost the belt in his first defense to Duke McKenzie via decision, and retired after the loss.
He is the brother of former bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales. Both brothers obtained the title of world boxing champion at the same age and weight.
The Orlando & Gaby Canizales Boxing Gym and Community Center on Guadalupe Street in Laredo is named in honor of the brothers. The facility was expanded in 2014.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateAgeLocationNotes
57LossDuke McKenzieUD12Jun 30, 1991Elephant & Castle Centre, Southwark, London, England, U.K.Lost WBO bantamweight title
56Win48–7–1Miguel LoraKO2 Mar 12, 1991The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.Won vacant WBO bantamweight title
55Win47–7–1Felipe TorresTKO10 Nov 14, 1990Celebrity Theater, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
54Win46–7–1Jose Luis SotoKO8 Sep 7, 1990Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
53Draw45–7–1Francisco ValdezPTS10Jul 16, 1990Celebrity Theater, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
52Loss45–7Raúl PérezUD12Jan 22, 1990Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.For WBC bantamweight title
51Win45–6Eduardo LopezTKO5 Dec 9, 1989Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
50Loss44–6Greg RichardsonUD10Jul 17, 1989Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
49Win44–5Carlos CastroKO1 Apr 22, 1989The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
48Win43–5Carlos CastroTKO3 Dec 15, 1988Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.Won vacant USA Arizona State bantamweight title
47Win42–5Alejandro ValenzuelaSD10Oct 17, 1988Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
46Win41–5Lucilo NolascoMD10Jul 21, 1988Holiday Inn Holidome, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
45Win40–5Julio BlancoKO7 Jun 3, 1988Holiday Inn Holidome, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
44Loss39–5Kenny MitchellSD12Mar 25, 1988Houston, Texas, U.S.Lost USBA bantamweight title
43Win39–4Louis CurtisMD12Nov 27, 1987Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won vacant USBA bantamweight title
42Win38–4Alejandro ValenzuelaKO3 Sep 18, 1987Ramada Inn East, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
41Loss37–4Raúl PérezTKO9 Jul 6, 1987Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
40Win37–3Julio BlancoUD10May 5, 1987Fiesta Plaza Mall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
39Win36–3Mike MorenoTKO3 Mar 31, 1987Community Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
38Win35–3Mauro DiazUD10Jan 30, 1987Fiesta Plaza Mall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
37Win34–3Armando Morales TerronKO2 Dec 11, 1986Marriot Brookhollow, Houston, Texas, U.S.
36Loss33–3Bernardo PiñangoUD15Jun 4, 1986Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.Lost WBA and The Ring bantamweight titles
35Win33–2Richie SandovalTKO7 Mar 10, 1986Caesars Palace, Outdoor Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Won WBA and The Ring bantamweight titles
34Win32–2Troy TownsendTKO10 May 22, 1985Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
33Win31–2Jeff WhaleyUD10Jan 30, 1985Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32Win30–2Kelvin SeabrooksMD12Aug 25, 1984Riverdrive Mall Parking lot, Laredo, Texas, U.S.Retained USBA bantamweight title
31Win29–2Javier DiazTKO2 Jun 6, 1984Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
30Win28–2Pedro RodriguezTKO3 Feb 7, 1984Astro Arena, Houston, Texas, U.S.
29Win27–2James PippsTKO6 Nov 12, 1983Civic Center, Beaumont, Texas, U.S.Retained USBA bantamweight title
28Win26–2Norberto CastellanoTKO1 Oct 19, 1983Civic Center Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
27Win25–2Ron CisnerosTKO10 May 13, 1983The Corral, Laredo, Texas, U.S.Retained USBA bantamweight title
26Loss24–2Jeff ChandlerUD15Mar 13, 1983Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For WBA and The Ring bantamweight titles
25Win24–1Gustavo MartinezKO3 Nov 23, 1982Civic Center Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
24Win23–1Jose Luis SotoTKO2 Oct 19, 1982Civic Center Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
23Win22–1Franco TorregozaTKO10 Sep 22, 1982Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained USBA bantamweight title
22Win21–1Jose TorresUD10Aug 1, 1982Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
21Win20–1Diego RosarioTKO5 Jun 24, 1982Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won USBA bantamweight title
20Win19–1Ricardo VarelaUD10May 16, 1982Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
19Win18–1Ramon GuillenKO5 Apr 22, 1982Civic Center Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
18Win17–1Juan CastellanosPTS12Mar 10, 1982Laredo, Texas, U.S.
17Win16–1Eduardo BonillaKO2 Feb 9, 1982Civic Center Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
16Win15–1Mario NavaPTS10Dec 2, 1981Laredo, Texas, U.S.
15Win14–1Mario GomezKO10 Oct 31, 1981Laredo, Texas, U.S.
14Win13–1Franco BejinesKO2 Sep 1, 1981Civic Center Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
13Win12–1Jorge CruzKO1 Jul 27, 1981Laredo, Texas, U.S.
12Win11–1Elias DeLeonKO2 Jun 15, 1981Laredo, Texas, U.S.
11Win10–1Calvin SheppardPTS10May 14, 1981Dallas, Texas, U.S.
10Loss9–1Mario NavaPTS10May 7, 1981Laredo, Texas, U.S.
9Win9–0Cecilio OstosKO1 Mar 10, 1981Civic Center Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
8Win8–0Miguel MedinaKO6 Dec 5, 1980Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
7Win7–0Guillermo VelasquezKO1 Oct 14, 1980Civic Center Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
6Win6–0Oscar GomezTKO6 Sep 13, 1980Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
5Win5–0Miguel Angel MezaKO2 Sep 2, 1980Laredo, Texas, U.S.
4Win4–0Jose SalasKO2 Jul 15, 1980Laredo, Texas, U.S.
3Win3–0Polin FloresKO1 Jun 6, 1980Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico
2Win2–0Jose PerezKO1 Jun 30, 1979Monclova, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico
1Win1–0Juanin BernalKO1 May 7, 1979Monclova, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico