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 13032Professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
| 103 | Loss | George Martin | PTS | 8 | Oct 29, 1940 | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |||
| 102 | Loss | 91–7–4 | Henry Armstrong | TKO | 9, 0:47 | Jan 24, 1940 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles | |
| 101 | Win | 91–6–4 | Vince Pimpinella | PTS | 8 | Sep 7, 1939 | Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 100 | Win | 90–6–4 | Howard Scott | KO | 2, 2:02 | Aug 22, 1939 | Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 99 | Win | 89–6–4 | Sigi Lander | KO | 2, 2:37 | Jul 14, 1939 | Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, New York, US | ||
| 98 | Loss | 88–6–4 | Davey Day | TKO | 8, 2:37 | May 23, 1939 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 97 | Win | 88–5–4 | Young Peter Jackson | PTS | 10 | Apr 25, 1939 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | ||
| 96 | Win | 87–5–4 | Bucky Jones | PTS | 8 | Apr 13, 1939 | Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 95 | Win | 86–5–4 | Phil Furr | KO | 1, 1:10 | Mar 27, 1939 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 94 | Win | 85–5–4 | Howard Scott | KO | 2, 2:26 | Mar 21, 1939 | New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 93 | Win | 84–5–4 | Jack 'Kid' Berg | TKO | 5 | Mar 10, 1939 | Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 92 | Win | 83–5–4 | Werther Arcelli | KO | 1, | Feb 25, 1939 | Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 91 | Win | 82–5–4 | Jimmy Vaughn | PTS | 8 | Jan 31, 1939 | New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 90 | Win | 81–5–4 | Ambrose Logan | TKO | 5, 1:31 | Jan 20, 1939 | Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 89 | Win | 80–5–4 | Tommy Rawson Jr. | KO | 2, 1:31 | Jan 10, 1939 | New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 88 | Win | 79–5–4 | Lew Raymond | TKO | 3 | Dec 31, 1938 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 87 | Win | 78–5–4 | Jimmy Fantini | KO | 3, 2:51 | Dec 15, 1938 | Prospect Hall, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 86 | Win | 77–5–4 | Vincenzo Servino | TKO | 2 | Dec 8, 1938 | Prospect Hall, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 85 | Win | 76–5–4 | Jimmy Garrison | PTS | 10 | Sep 16, 1938 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 84 | Win | 75–5–4 | Orville Drouillard | TKO | 5, 2:14 | Aug 24, 1938 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 83 | Win | 74–5–4 | Ray Napolitano | TKO | 3 | Aug 16, 1938 | Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 82 | Draw | 73–5–4 | Tommy Cross | PTS | 10 | Apr 25, 1938 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 81 | Win | 73–5–3 | Norment Quarles | PTS | 10 | Feb 21, 1938 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 80 | Win | 72–5–3 | Tommy Speigal | UD | 10 | Feb 7, 1938 | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 79 | Win | 71–5–3 | Joe Pennino | KO | 3 | Nov 23, 1937 | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 78 | Win | 70–5–3 | Ray Nash | KO | 1, 2:30 | Nov 8, 1937 | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US | ||
| 77 | Win | 69–5–3 | Pete Caracciola | PTS | 8 | Oct 30, 1937 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 76 | Win | 68–5–3 | Joey Straiges | RTD | 4 | Oct 23, 1937 | Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 75 | Loss | 67–5–3 | Lou Ambers | MD | 15 | Sep 23, 1937 | Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, US | For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles | |
| 74 | Win | 67–4–3 | Lew Massey | TKO | 3 | Aug 23, 1937 | Arena Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 73 | Win | 66–4–3 | Freddie 'Red' Cochrane | KO | 2, 0:35 | Aug 16, 1937 | Braddock Bowl, Jersey City, New Jersey, US | ||
| 72 | Win | 65–4–3 | Wesley Ramey | KO | 1, 2:40 | Jul 26, 1937 | Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, US | ||
| 71 | Win | 64–4–3 | Frankie Wallace | PTS | 10 | Jul 4, 1937 | Escambron Baseball Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico | ||
| 70 | Win | 63–4–3 | Phil Baker | KO | 2 | Jun 7, 1937 | Dyckman Oval, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 69 | Win | 62–4–3 | Eddie Ran | KO | 6 | Apr 15, 1937 | Star Casino, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 68 | Win | 61–4–3 | Lou Ambers | UD | 10 | Apr 5, 1937 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 67 | Win | 60–4–3 | Nick Pastore | KO | 7 | Mar 13, 1937 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 66 | Win | 59–4–3 | Enrico Venturi | UD | 15 | Feb 26, 1937 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 65 | Win | 58–4–3 | Willie Hines | KO | 2 | Feb 20, 1937 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 64 | Win | 57–4–3 | Al Dunbar | KO | 1 | Feb 13, 1937 | Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 63 | Win | 56–4–3 | Joe LaFauci | KO | 2 | Feb 4, 1937 | Star Casino, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 62 | Win | 55–4–3 | Steve Halaiko | KO | 3, 0:45 | Dec 23, 1936 | Escambron Baseball Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico | ||
| 61 | Win | 54–4–3 | Eddie Brink | PTS | 10 | Aug 24, 1936 | Dyckman Oval, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 60 | Win | 53–4–3 | Frankie Klick | PTS | 10 | Jun 8, 1936 | Dyckman Oval, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 59 | Win | 52–4–3 | Leonard Del Genio | PTS | 10 | May 15, 1936 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 58 | Win | 51–4–3 | Aldo Spoldi | PTS | 10 | Apr 27, 1936 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 57 | Win | 50–4–3 | Lou Jallos | KO | 7 | Apr 15, 1936 | Star Casino, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 56 | Win | 49–4–3 | Bobby Pacho | PTS | 10 | Mar 23, 1936 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 55 | Win | 48–4–3 | Joey Costa | PTS | 8 | Mar 14, 1936 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 54 | Win | 47–4–3 | Paris Apice | TKO | 6, 2:56 | Feb 12, 1936 | Star Casino, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 53 | Win | 46–4–3 | Al Roth | PTS | 10 | Feb 3, 1936 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 52 | Win | 45–4–3 | Jimmy Murray | TKO | 5 | Dec 21, 1935 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 51 | Win | 44–4–3 | Joey Zodda | KO | 1 | Dec 11, 1935 | Star Casino, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 50 | Win | 43–4–3 | Pete Mascia | PTS | 8 | Nov 30, 1935 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 49 | Win | 42–4–3 | Jack Stanley | KO | 3 | Nov 20, 1935 | Star Casino, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 48 | Win | 41–4–3 | Johnny Morro | TKO | 4, 1:13 | Nov 14, 1935 | New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 47 | Win | 40–4–3 | Joey Greb | KO | 2 | Nov 8, 1935 | Stauch's Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 46 | Win | 39–4–3 | Phil Rafferty | PTS | 10 | Oct 30, 1935 | Star Casino, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 45 | Win | 38–4–3 | Steve Halaiko | UD | 10 | Oct 16, 1935 | Star Casino, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 44 | Win | 37–4–3 | Carlo Orlandi | TKO | 10 | Jul 14, 1935 | Velodromo Vigorelli, Milan, Italy | ||
| 43 | Win | 36–4–3 | Gheorghe Covaci | PTS | 10 | May 10, 1935 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | ||
| 42 | Win | 35–4–3 | Harry Brooks | PTS | 10 | Apr 21, 1935 | The Arena, Mile End, London, England, UK | ||
| 41 | Draw | 34–4–3 | Saverio Turiello | PTS | 10 | Apr 15, 1935 | Teatro Puccini, Milan, Italy | ||
| 40 | Win | 34–4–2 | George Odwell | KO | 2 | Mar 31, 1935 | Devonshire Club, Hackney, London, England, UK | ||
| 39 | Win | 33–4–2 | Victor Denyl | KO | 3 | Mar 19, 1935 | Central Sporting Club, Paris, France | ||
| 38 | Win | 32–4–2 | Tommy Dowlais | KO | 3 | Mar 10, 1935 | Devonshire Club, Hackney, London, England, UK | ||
| 37 | Win | 31–4–2 | Roger Simende | KO | 8 | Mar 5, 1935 | Central Sporting Club, Paris, France | ||
| 36 | Win | 30–4–2 | Roland Courant | KO | 5 | Feb 16, 1935 | Central Sporting Club, Paris, France | ||
| 35 | Win | 29–4–2 | Hajik Sandjack | TKO | 4 | Jan 28, 1935 | Palais des Sports, Paris, France | ||
| 34 | Win | 28–4–2 | Raymond Defer | KO | 6 | Jan 11, 1935 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | ||
| 33 | Win | 27–4–2 | Maurice Arnault | PTS | 6 | Dec 24, 1934 | Palais des Sports, Paris, France | ||
| 32 | Win | 26–4–2 | Kid Zenti | TKO | 2 | Dec 5, 1934 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | ||
| 31 | Win | 25–4–2 | Ramon Badia | KO | 3 | Sep 28, 1934 | Teatro Circo Price, Madrid, Spain | ||
| 30 | Win | 24–4–2 | Cipriano Torres | KO | 2 | Aug 22, 1934 | Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain | ||
| 29 | Win | 23–4–2 | Guillermo Ruiz | TKO | 8 | Jul 18, 1934 | Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain | ||
| 28 | Win | 22–4–2 | Jose Mico | KO | 2 | Jun 27, 1934 | Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain | ||
| 27 | Win | 21–4–2 | Miguel Martinez | TKO | 4 | Jun 20, 1934 | Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain | ||
| 26 | Win | 20–4–2 | Juan Llanguas | TKO | 4 | May 2, 1934 | Salón Nuevo Mundo, Barcelona, Spain | ||
| 25 | Win | 19–4–2 | Felix Perez | TKO | 7 | Mar 7, 1934 | Salón Nuevo Mundo, Barcelona, Spain | ||
| 24 | Loss | 18–4–2 | Felipe Andrade | PTS | 10 | Sep 29, 1933 | Victory Garden Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | ||
| 23 | Loss | 18–3–2 | Felipe Andrade | PTS | 10 | Aug 27, 1933 | Victory Garden Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Lost Puerto Rican lightweight title | |
| 22 | Win | 18–2–2 | Emilio Morris | PTS | 10 | Jul 4, 1933 | Victory Garden Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Won Puerto Rican lightweight title | |
| 21 | Win | 17–2–2 | Jesus Rodil | PTS | 8 | May 20, 1933 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 20 | Win | 16–2–2 | Franz Duebbers | PTS | 10 | Apr 26, 1933 | Caracas, Venezuela | Retained Venezuelan lightweight title | |
| 19 | Draw | 15–2–2 | Firpo Zuliano | PTS | 8 | Apr 16, 1933 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 18 | Win | 15–2–1 | Emilio Morris | PTS | 10 | Sep 18, 1932 | San Juan Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Won Puerto Rican lightweight title | |
| 17 | Win | 14–2–1 | Hector Chafferdet | PTS | 10 | Jul 17, 1932 | Caracas, Venezuela | Won vacant Venezuelan lightweight title | |
| 16 | Win | 13–2–1 | Pedro Ruiz | KO | 4 | Jun 26, 1932 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 15 | Win | 12–2–1 | Meliton Aragon | PTS | 10 | Jun 4, 1932 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 14 | Win | 11–2–1 | Ramon Bordelies | PTS | 8 | May 7, 1932 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 13 | Win | 10–2–1 | Johnny Alba | PTS | 8 | Apr 23, 1932 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 12 | Win | 9–2–1 | Johnny Alba | PTS | 8 | Apr 9, 1932 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 11 | Draw | 8–2–1 | Sindulfo Diaz | PTS | 8 | Feb 27, 1932 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 10 | Win | 8–2 | Carlos Flores | PTS | 8 | Oct 4, 1931 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 9 | Loss | 7–2 | Firpo Zuliano | PTS | 10 | Sep 13, 1931 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 8 | Loss | 7–1 | Hector Chafferdet | PTS | 8 | Aug 10, 1931 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Kid Langford | PTS | 10 | Jul 25, 1931 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Julio Greaves | PTS | 6 | Jul 18, 1931 | Caracas, Venezuela | ||
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Guillermo Nelson | PTS | 8 | Jun 28, 1931 | San Juan Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | ||
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Pedro Mendoza | KO | 1 | Jun 21, 1931 | San Juan Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | ||
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Vicente Abadia | PTS | 6 | May 10, 1931 | San Juan Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | ||
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Juan Sanchez | PTS | 6 | Apr 19, 1931 | San Juan Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | ||
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Antonio Melendez | PTS | 6 | Feb 1, 1931 | Victory Garden Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico |