Pedro Montañez


Pedro Montañez was a boxer from Cayey, Puerto Rico. Also known as El Torito De Cayey, he has been considered by many to be one of the best boxers in history never to win a world title. In his career, he was 91–8–4.

Career

Montañez was recognized by Ring Magazine as one of history's most prolific knockout winners with 56 knockout wins, and one of the Latinos with the most knockout wins—while only being knocked out twice himself. He also ranks as number 14 in boxing history, also recognized by Ring Magazine, among boxers with most wins in a row, totalling 88 wins in a row.
Montanez began boxing in 1931, and captured the Puerto Rican lightweight title in 1933. A European tour followed, and he registered victories in Spain, France, England, and Italy. He was next showcased in New York, and scored wins over Aldo Spoldi and Frankie Klick among others. That set up a non-title bout with lightweight king Lou Ambers, which Montanez won in a 10-round decision—he was thereafter dubbed the “uncrowned champion.” Impressive wins over formidable foes Eddie Ran, Wesley Ramey, and Freddie “Red” Cochrane set up a title bout with Ambers on the September 23, 1937, “Carnival of Champions” show at the Polo Grounds in New York City. Although he was defeated for the world championship, observers say he deserved the decision against Ambers. Montanez bounced back to continue his winning ways in bouts with Jackie “Kid” Berg and Young Peter Jackson.
Montañez went for the world title two times, losing to Lou Ambers on points. and then Henry Armstrong by a TKO in round 9.
Montañez reached great popularity in Puerto Rico, New York City, and Latin America, and his collection of photos with celebrities is considered one of the largest in Puerto Rico. He had well over 250 pictures with celebrities such as Celia Cruz, Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott, Cantinflas and some former Puerto Rico Governors and other famous people displayed on his house's walls.
Montañez was elected to the Salon de la Fama del Deporte Cayeyano in July 2004.
Montañez has a stadium named after him, the Pedro Montañez Municipal Stadium in Cayey. It is the home of the Toritos de Cayey Double A baseball team, which was named after him, and it also was the Benigno Fernandez Garcia Jr. High School's field day competitions' site.

Hall of Fame

In December 2006, Montañez was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame and in 2007 he was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame located @ 360 N Peterboro St, Canastota, NY 13032

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateAgeLocationNotes
103LossGeorge MartinPTS8Oct 29, 1940Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
102Loss91–7–4Henry ArmstrongTKO9, 0:47Jan 24, 1940Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USFor NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
101Win91–6–4Vince PimpinellaPTS8Sep 7, 1939Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
100Win90–6–4Howard ScottKO2, 2:02Aug 22, 1939Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, US
99Win89–6–4Sigi LanderKO2, 2:37Jul 14, 1939Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, New York, US
98Loss88–6–4Davey DayTKO8, 2:37May 23, 1939Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
97Win88–5–4Young Peter JacksonPTS10Apr 25, 1939Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
96Win87–5–4Bucky JonesPTS8Apr 13, 1939Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, US
95Win86–5–4Phil FurrKO1, 1:10Mar 27, 1939St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
94Win85–5–4Howard ScottKO2, 2:26Mar 21, 1939New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
93Win84–5–4Jack 'Kid' BergTKO5 Mar 10, 1939Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
92Win83–5–4Werther ArcelliKO1, Feb 25, 1939Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, US
91Win82–5–4Jimmy VaughnPTS8Jan 31, 1939New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
90Win81–5–4Ambrose LoganTKO5, 1:31Jan 20, 1939Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
89Win80–5–4Tommy Rawson Jr.KO2, 1:31Jan 10, 1939New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
88Win79–5–4Lew RaymondTKO3 Dec 31, 1938Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
87Win78–5–4Jimmy FantiniKO3, 2:51Dec 15, 1938Prospect Hall, New York City, New York, US
86Win77–5–4Vincenzo ServinoTKO2 Dec 8, 1938Prospect Hall, New York City, New York, US
85Win76–5–4Jimmy GarrisonPTS10Sep 16, 1938Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
84Win75–5–4Orville DrouillardTKO5, 2:14Aug 24, 1938Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
83Win74–5–4Ray NapolitanoTKO3 Aug 16, 1938Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
82Draw73–5–4Tommy CrossPTS10Apr 25, 1938Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
81Win73–5–3Norment QuarlesPTS10Feb 21, 1938Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
80Win72–5–3Tommy SpeigalUD10Feb 7, 1938Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
79Win71–5–3Joe PenninoKO3 Nov 23, 1937Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
78Win70–5–3Ray NashKO1, 2:30Nov 8, 1937Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
77Win69–5–3Pete CaracciolaPTS8Oct 30, 1937Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
76Win68–5–3Joey StraigesRTD4 Oct 23, 1937Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, US
75Loss67–5–3Lou AmbersMD15Sep 23, 1937Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, USFor NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles
74Win67–4–3Lew MasseyTKO3 Aug 23, 1937Arena Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
73Win66–4–3Freddie 'Red' CochraneKO2, 0:35Aug 16, 1937Braddock Bowl, Jersey City, New Jersey, US
72Win65–4–3Wesley RameyKO1, 2:40Jul 26, 1937Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, US
71Win64–4–3Frankie WallacePTS10Jul 4, 1937Escambron Baseball Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico
70Win63–4–3Phil BakerKO2 Jun 7, 1937Dyckman Oval, New York City, New York, US
69Win62–4–3Eddie RanKO6 Apr 15, 1937Star Casino, New York City, New York, US
68Win61–4–3Lou AmbersUD10Apr 5, 1937Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
67Win60–4–3Nick PastoreKO7 Mar 13, 1937Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
66Win59–4–3Enrico VenturiUD15Feb 26, 1937Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
65Win58–4–3Willie HinesKO2 Feb 20, 1937Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
64Win57–4–3Al DunbarKO1 Feb 13, 1937Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, US
63Win56–4–3Joe LaFauciKO2 Feb 4, 1937Star Casino, New York City, New York, US
62Win55–4–3Steve HalaikoKO3, 0:45Dec 23, 1936Escambron Baseball Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico
61Win54–4–3Eddie BrinkPTS10Aug 24, 1936Dyckman Oval, New York City, New York, US
60Win53–4–3Frankie KlickPTS10Jun 8, 1936Dyckman Oval, New York City, New York, US
59Win52–4–3Leonard Del GenioPTS10May 15, 1936Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
58Win51–4–3Aldo SpoldiPTS10Apr 27, 1936St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
57Win50–4–3Lou JallosKO7 Apr 15, 1936Star Casino, New York City, New York, US
56Win49–4–3Bobby PachoPTS10Mar 23, 1936St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
55Win48–4–3Joey CostaPTS8Mar 14, 1936Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
54Win47–4–3Paris ApiceTKO6, 2:56Feb 12, 1936Star Casino, New York City, New York, US
53Win46–4–3Al RothPTS10Feb 3, 1936St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
52Win45–4–3Jimmy MurrayTKO5 Dec 21, 1935Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
51Win44–4–3Joey ZoddaKO1 Dec 11, 1935Star Casino, New York City, New York, US
50Win43–4–3Pete MasciaPTS8Nov 30, 1935Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
49Win42–4–3Jack StanleyKO3 Nov 20, 1935Star Casino, New York City, New York, US
48Win41–4–3Johnny MorroTKO4, 1:13Nov 14, 1935New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
47Win40–4–3Joey GrebKO2 Nov 8, 1935Stauch's Arena, New York City, New York, US
46Win39–4–3Phil RaffertyPTS10Oct 30, 1935Star Casino, New York City, New York, US
45Win38–4–3Steve HalaikoUD10Oct 16, 1935Star Casino, New York City, New York, US
44Win37–4–3Carlo OrlandiTKO10 Jul 14, 1935Velodromo Vigorelli, Milan, Italy
43Win36–4–3Gheorghe CovaciPTS10May 10, 1935Salle Wagram, Paris, France
42Win35–4–3Harry BrooksPTS10Apr 21, 1935The Arena, Mile End, London, England, UK
41Draw34–4–3Saverio TurielloPTS10Apr 15, 1935Teatro Puccini, Milan, Italy
40Win34–4–2George OdwellKO2 Mar 31, 1935Devonshire Club, Hackney, London, England, UK
39Win33–4–2Victor DenylKO3 Mar 19, 1935Central Sporting Club, Paris, France
38Win32–4–2Tommy DowlaisKO3 Mar 10, 1935Devonshire Club, Hackney, London, England, UK
37Win31–4–2Roger SimendeKO8 Mar 5, 1935Central Sporting Club, Paris, France
36Win30–4–2Roland CourantKO5 Feb 16, 1935Central Sporting Club, Paris, France
35Win29–4–2Hajik SandjackTKO4 Jan 28, 1935Palais des Sports, Paris, France
34Win28–4–2Raymond DeferKO6 Jan 11, 1935Salle Wagram, Paris, France
33Win27–4–2Maurice ArnaultPTS6Dec 24, 1934Palais des Sports, Paris, France
32Win26–4–2Kid ZentiTKO2 Dec 5, 1934Salle Wagram, Paris, France
31Win25–4–2Ramon BadiaKO3 Sep 28, 1934Teatro Circo Price, Madrid, Spain
30Win24–4–2Cipriano TorresKO2 Aug 22, 1934Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain
29Win23–4–2Guillermo RuizTKO8 Jul 18, 1934Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain
28Win22–4–2Jose MicoKO2 Jun 27, 1934Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain
27Win21–4–2Miguel MartinezTKO4 Jun 20, 1934Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain
26Win20–4–2Juan LlanguasTKO4 May 2, 1934Salón Nuevo Mundo, Barcelona, Spain
25Win19–4–2Felix PerezTKO7 Mar 7, 1934Salón Nuevo Mundo, Barcelona, Spain
24Loss18–4–2Felipe AndradePTS10Sep 29, 1933Victory Garden Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
23Loss18–3–2Felipe AndradePTS10Aug 27, 1933Victory Garden Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoLost Puerto Rican lightweight title
22Win18–2–2Emilio MorrisPTS10Jul 4, 1933Victory Garden Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoWon Puerto Rican lightweight title
21Win17–2–2Jesus RodilPTS8May 20, 1933Caracas, Venezuela
20Win16–2–2Franz DuebbersPTS10Apr 26, 1933Caracas, VenezuelaRetained Venezuelan lightweight title
19Draw15–2–2Firpo ZulianoPTS8Apr 16, 1933Caracas, Venezuela
18Win15–2–1Emilio MorrisPTS10Sep 18, 1932San Juan Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoWon Puerto Rican lightweight title
17Win14–2–1Hector ChafferdetPTS10Jul 17, 1932Caracas, VenezuelaWon vacant Venezuelan lightweight title
16Win13–2–1Pedro RuizKO4 Jun 26, 1932Caracas, Venezuela
15Win12–2–1Meliton AragonPTS10Jun 4, 1932Caracas, Venezuela
14Win11–2–1Ramon BordeliesPTS8May 7, 1932Caracas, Venezuela
13Win10–2–1Johnny AlbaPTS8Apr 23, 1932Caracas, Venezuela
12Win9–2–1Johnny AlbaPTS8Apr 9, 1932Caracas, Venezuela
11Draw8–2–1Sindulfo DiazPTS8Feb 27, 1932Caracas, Venezuela
10Win8–2Carlos FloresPTS8Oct 4, 1931Caracas, Venezuela
9Loss7–2Firpo ZulianoPTS10Sep 13, 1931Caracas, Venezuela
8Loss7–1Hector ChafferdetPTS8Aug 10, 1931Caracas, Venezuela
7Win7–0Kid LangfordPTS10Jul 25, 1931Caracas, Venezuela
6Win6–0Julio GreavesPTS6Jul 18, 1931Caracas, Venezuela
5Win5–0Guillermo NelsonPTS8Jun 28, 1931San Juan Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
4Win4–0Pedro MendozaKO1 Jun 21, 1931San Juan Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
3Win3–0Vicente AbadiaPTS6May 10, 1931San Juan Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
2Win2–0Juan SanchezPTS6Apr 19, 1931San Juan Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
1Win1–0Antonio MelendezPTS6Feb 1, 1931Victory Garden Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico