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

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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

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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

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  • 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

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131 fights 100 wins 28 losses
By knockout 54 1
By decision 46 27
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
131 Loss 100–28–3 Enrique Esqueda PTS 10 Dec 10, 1955 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
130 Win 100–27–3 Papelero Sanchez KO 3 (10) Aug 16, 1955 Plaza de Toros, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
129 Win 99–27–3 Memo Valero KO 3 (10) Jul 22, 1955 Campo de Softbol, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
128 Win 98–27–3 Manuel Hernandez KO 4 (10) Jun 10, 1955 Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
127 Win 97–27–3 Manuel Hernandez TKO 6 (10) Mar 13, 1953 Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
126 Loss 96–27–3 Eddie Chavez UD 10 Sep 3, 1951 San Jose, California, U.S.
125 Loss 96–26–3 Jackie Graves UD 10 Jul 17, 1951 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
124 Loss 96–25–3 Tirso Del Rosario PTS 10 Jun 2, 1951 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
123 Win 96–24–3 Bonnie Espinosa KO 8 (10) Mar 3, 1951 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
122 Loss 95–24–3 Lauro Salas MD 10 Jan 26, 1951 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
121 Loss 95–23–3 Eddie Chavez SD 10 Dec 5, 1950 Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
120 Win 95–22–3 Jackie McCoy UD 10 Nov 10, 1950 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
119 Loss 94–22–3 Vic Toweel PTS 15 May 31, 1950 Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Lost NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
118 Win 94–21–3 Harold Dade SD 10 Mar 7, 1950 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
117 Win 93–21–3 Theo Medina PTS 10 Nov 14, 1949 Palais des Sports, Paris, France
116 Win 92–21–3 Jackie Paterson PTS 10 Oct 26, 1949 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
115 Loss 91–21–3 Ronnie Clayton PTS 10 Oct 3, 1949 King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England
114 Loss 91–20–3 Jimmy Cooper MD 10 Aug 29, 1949 Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S.
113 Win 91–19–3 Tony Vazquez KO 4 (?) Jul 23, 1949 Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico
112 Win 90–19–3 Memo Valero KO 7 (10) Jul 16, 1949 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
111 Win 89–19–3 Leonardo Lopez KO 5 (10) Jul 9, 1949 Plaza de Toros, Torreon, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico
110 Win 88–19–3 Beto Carvajal PTS 10 Jun 29, 1949 Merida, Yucatán, Mexico
109 Loss 87–19–3 Beto Couary PTS 10 Jun 25, 1949 Veracruz, Mexico
108 Win 87–18–3 Pinky Peralta TKO 5 (10) May 20, 1949 Monumental Plaza de Toros México, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
107 Win 86–18–3 Baby Mickey KO 5 (10) May 15, 1949 Sonora, Mexico
106 Win 85–18–3 Lauro Salas UD 10 Apr 26, 1949 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
105 Loss 84–18–3 Henry Davis UD 10 Mar 29, 1949 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
104 Win 84–17–3 Dado Marino UD 15 Mar 1, 1949 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
103 Win 83–17–3 Jose Cardenas UD 10 Jan 1, 1949 Plaza de Toros, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
102 Loss 82–17–3 Maxie Docusen UD 10 Dec 14, 1948 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
101 Win 82–16–3 Buddy Jacklich KO 8 (10) Oct 29, 1948 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
100 Loss 81–16–3 Lauro Salas UD 10 Sep 28, 1948 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
99 Win 81–15–3 Memo Valero KO 8 (15) Jul 4, 1948 Plaza de Toros, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
98 Win 80–15–3 Henry Davis SD 10 May 25, 1948 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
97 Win 79–15–3 Joey Dolan RTD 6 (10) Apr 27, 1948 Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
96 Win 78–15–3 Tirso Del Rosario PTS 15 Dec 20, 1947 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
95 Loss 77–15–3 Manny Ortega TKO 8 (10) Oct 15, 1947 County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
94 Win 77–14–3 David Kui Kong Young SD 15 May 30, 1947 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
93 Win 76–14–3 Harold Dade UD 15 Mar 11, 1947 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Won NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
92 Loss 75–14–3 Harold Dade UD 15 Jan 6, 1947 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. Lost NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
91 Loss 75–13–3 Carlos Chavez UD 12 Oct 22, 1946 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. For vacant USA California State featherweight title
90 Win 75–12–3 David Kui Kong Young KO 7 (10) Jul 12, 1946 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
89 Win 74–12–3 Jackie Jurich KO 11 (15) Jun 10, 1946 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
88 Win 73–12–3 Kenny Lindsay KO 5 (15) May 22, 1946 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
87 Win 72–12–3 Horace Leftwich UD 10 Apr 22, 1946 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
86 Draw 71–12–3 Carlos Chávez PTS 15 Mar 19, 1946 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. For vacant USA California State featherweight title
85 Win 71–12–2 Luis Castillo KO 13 (15) Feb 25, 1946 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
84 Win 70–12–2 Eli Golindo TKO 4 (10) Feb 15, 1946 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
83 Win 69–12–2 Proctor Heinhold PTS 10 Nov 20, 1945 Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
82 Win 68–12–2 Jose Andreas UD 10 Nov 12, 1945 Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
81 Win 67–12–2 Horace Leftwich PTS 10 Nov 2, 1945 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
80 Win 66–12–2 Bert White KO 7 (10) Jan 26, 1945 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
79 Win 65–12–2 Jose Gonzalez MD 10 Jan 12, 1945 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
78 Win 64–12–2 Lorenzo Safora PTS 10 Nov 22, 1944 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
77 Win 63–12–2 Luis Castillo TKO 9 (15) Nov 14, 1944 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
76 Win 62–12–2 Carlos Chávez SD 10 Sep 30, 1944 Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
75 Win 61–12–2 Luis Castillo TKO 4 (15) Sep 12, 1944 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
74 Win 60–12–2 Enrique Bolanos TKO 6 (10) Aug 29, 1944 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
73 Loss 59–12–2 Willie Pep UD 10 Jul 17, 1944 Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
72 Win 59–11–2 Larry Bolvin UD 10 Jun 29, 1944 Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
71 Win 58–11–2 Pee Wee Lewis TKO 9 (10) May 19, 1944 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
70 Win 57–11–2 Tony Olivera UD 15 Apr 4, 1944 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
69 Win 56–11–2 Ernesto Aguilar UD 15 Mar 14, 1944 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
68 Win 55–11–2 Benny Goldberg UD 15 Nov 23, 1943 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
67 Win 54–11–2 Leonardo Lopez KO 4 (15) Oct 1, 1943 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
66 Win 53–11–2 Fillo Gonzalez KO 5 (10) Sep 4, 1943 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
65 Win 52–11–2 Leonardo Lopez UD 10 Aug 13, 1943 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
64 Win 51–11–2 Joe Robleto TKO 7 (15) Jul 12, 1943 Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
63 Win 50–11–2 Tony Olivera TKO 7 (10) Jun 25, 1943 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
62 Win 49–11–2 Joe Robleto UD 15 May 26, 1943 Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach, California, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
61 Win 48–11–2 Lupe Cordoza KO 6 (15) Apr 28, 1943 Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
60 Win 47–11–2 Joe Robleto PTS 10 Apr 16, 1943 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
59 Win 46–11–2 Pedro Ramirez KO 6 (10) Apr 2, 1943 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
58 Win 45–11–2 Lou Salica TKO 11 (15) Mar 10, 1943 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. Retained NBA, and The Ring bantamweight titles;
Won vacant NYSAC bantamweight title
57 Win 44–11–2 George Freitas TKO 10 (15) Jan 27, 1943 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. Retained NBA, and The Ring bantamweight titles
56 Win 43–11–2 Kenny Lindsay UD 10 Jan 1, 1943 Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S. Retained NBA, and The Ring bantamweight titles
55 Win 42–11–2 Nat Corum TKO 6 (10) Oct 30, 1942 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
54 Win 41–11–2 Nat Corum PTS 10 Oct 9, 1942 Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
53 Win 40–11–2 Bobby Carroll KO 5 (10) Sep 25, 1942 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
52 Win 39–11–2 Lou Salica UD 12 Aug 7, 1942 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S. Won NBA and The Ring bantamweight titles
51 Win 38–11–2 Elwood Romero TKO 6 (10) Jul 3, 1942 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
50 Win 37–11–2 Leonardo Lopez TKO 10 (10) May 30, 1942 Plaza de Toros, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
49 Win 36–11–2 Kenny Lindsay KO 6 (10) May 8, 1942 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
48 Win 35–11–2 Little Pancho KO 7 (10) Mar 6, 1942 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
47 Win 34–11–2 Tony Olivera MD 10 Jan 2, 1942 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S. Won USA California bantamweight title
46 Win 33–11–2 Johnny Grady PTS 8 Nov 21, 1941 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
45 Win 32–11–2 Donnie Maes SD 10 Nov 7, 1941 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
44 Loss 31–11–2 Tony Olivera PTS 10 Aug 8, 1941 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S. For USA California bantamweight title
43 Win 31–10–2 Lou Transparenti KO 7 (10) Jun 6, 1941 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
42 Win 30–10–2 Chucho Llanes PTS 8 May 14, 1941 San Bernardino A.C., San Bernardino, California, U.S.
41 Win 29–10–2 Carlos Chávez PTS 10 May 9, 1941 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
40 Draw 28–10–2 Carlos Chávez PTS 10 Apr 4, 1941 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
39 Win 28–10–1 Lupe Cordoza TKO 8 (10) Mar 14, 1941 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
38 Win 27–10–1 Joe Robleto TKO 6 (10) Feb 11, 1941 Calexico Arena, Calexico, California, U.S.
37 Win 26–10–1 Rush Dalma KO 3 (10) Jan 10, 1941 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
36 Win 25–10–1 Carlos Manzano KO 6 (10) Oct 26, 1940 Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
35 Win 24–10–1 Panchito Villa TKO 7 (10) Oct 10, 1940 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
34 Loss 23–10–1 Panchito Villa PTS 10 May 18, 1940 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
33 Win 23–9–1 Panchito Villa PTS 10 Apr 20, 1940 Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
32 Win 22–9–1 Jackie Jurich TKO 9 (10) Apr 5, 1940 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
31 Win 21–9–1 Andy Vasquez TKO 5 (6) Mar 21, 1940 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
30 Draw 20–9–1 Little Dado PTS 10 Jan 30, 1940 Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, U.S.
29 Win 20–9 Elwood Romero PTS 10 Dec 14, 1939 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
28 Win 19–9 Cyril Joseph KO 5 (10) Dec 5, 1939 San Jose, California, U.S.
27 Win 18–9 Horace Mann PTS 10 Oct 24, 1939 Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
26 Loss 17–9 Donnie Maes PTS 10 Oct 17, 1939 Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
25 Loss 17–8 Lou Salica PTS 10 Sep 15, 1939 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
24 Loss 17–7 Bobby Leyvas PTS 10 Aug 8, 1939 Riverview Bowl, Yuma, Arizona, U.S.
23 Loss 17–6 Jackie Jurich PTS 10 Jun 9, 1939 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S. For vacant American flyweight title
22 Win 17–5 Sammy LaPorte TKO 7 (10) May 4, 1939 El Centro Arena, El Centro, California, U.S.
21 Win 16–5 Tommy Cobb PTS 10 Apr 11, 1939 Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
20 Win 15–5 Jackie Jurich TKO 7 (10) Mar 14, 1939 Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
19 Loss 14–5 Small Montana PTS 10 Jan 2, 1939 Stockton, California, U.S.
18 Win 14–4 Bernie Reyes PTS 10 Dec 6, 1938 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
17 Loss 13–4 David Kui Kong Young PTS 10 Nov 8, 1938 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
16 Win 13–3 Richie Lemos PTS 10 Oct 21, 1938 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
15 Win 12–3 Richie Lemos PTS 6 Sep 30, 1938 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
14 Win 11–3 Kent Martinez KO 1 (4) Sep 23, 1938 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
13 Win 10–3 Tony Navarro KO 3 (?) Aug 15, 1938 El Centro, California, U.S.
12 Loss 9–3 Benny Goldberg PTS 4 Aug 5, 1938 Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
11 Loss 9–2 Pablo Dano PTS 6 Jul 5, 1938 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
10 Win 9–1 Reuben Ayon TKO 5 (6) Jun 27, 1938 Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, California, U.S.
9 Win 8–1 Frenchy Savidan PTS 4 Jun 24, 1938 Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
8 Win 7–1 Joe Rickey TKO 3 (6) Jun 6, 1938 Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, California, U.S.
7 Win 6–1 Sammy LaPorte PTS 4 Jun 3, 1938 Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
6 Win 5–1 Santos Hugo TKO 4 (4) May 17, 1938 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
5 Win 4–1 General Padilla TKO 4 (4) May 3, 1938 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
4 Win 3–1 Serio Mendoza PTS 4 Apr 14, 1938 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
3 Win 2–1 Frenchy Savidan PTS 4 Mar 25, 1938 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
2 Win 1–1 Tony Navarro PTS 4 Mar 11, 1938 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
1 Loss 0–1 Benny Goldberg PTS 4 Feb 25, 1938 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Manuel Ortiz - Lineal Bantamweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  2. ^ "Manuel Ortiz, p. 648" (pdf). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book. International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Manuel Ortiz's BoxRec Profile". BoxRec. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
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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