Pedro Montañez (April 24, 1914 – June 26, 1996) was a boxer from Cayey, Puerto Rico. Also known as El Torito De Cayey (The Little Bull of 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 (51KO).
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 (L 15), 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
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateAgeLocationNotes103Loss George MartinPTS8Oct 29, 1940102Loss91–7–4 Henry ArmstrongTKO9 (15), Jan 24, 1940101Win91–6–4 Vince PimpinellaPTS8Sep 7, 1939100Win90–6–4 Howard ScottKO2 (10), Aug 22, 193999Win89–6–4 Sigi LanderKO2 (8), Jul 14, 193998Loss88–6–4 Davey DayTKO8 (10), May 23, 193997Win88–5–4 Young Peter JacksonPTS10Apr 25, 193996Win87–5–4 Bucky JonesPTS8Apr 13, 193995Win86–5–4 Phil FurrKO1 (8), Mar 27, 193994Win85–5–4 Howard ScottKO2 (8), Mar 21, 193993Win84–5–4 Jack 'Kid' BergTKO5 (10)Mar 10, 193992Win83–5–4 Werther ArcelliKO1 (10), Feb 25, 193991Win82–5–4 Jimmy VaughnPTS8Jan 31, 193990Win81–5–4 Ambrose LoganTKO5 (10), Jan 20, 193989Win80–5–4 Tommy Rawson Jr.KO2 (10), Jan 10, 193988Win79–5–4 Lew RaymondTKO3 (8)Dec 31, 193887Win78–5–4 Jimmy FantiniKO3 (8), Dec 15, 193886Win77–5–4 Vincenzo ServinoTKO2 (8)Dec 8, 193885Win76–5–4 Jimmy GarrisonPTS10Sep 16, 193884Win75–5–4 Orville DrouillardTKO5 (10), Aug 24, 193883Win74–5–4 Ray NapolitanoTKO3 (8)Aug 16, 193882Draw73–5–4 Tommy CrossPTS10Apr 25, 193881Win73–5–3 Norment QuarlesPTS10Feb 21, 193880Win72–5–3 Tommy SpeigalUD10Feb 7, 193879Win71–5–3 Joe PenninoKO3 (10)Nov 23, 193778Win70–5–3 Ray NashKO1 (8), Nov 8, 193777Win69–5–3 Pete CaracciolaPTS8Oct 30, 193776Win68–5–3 Joey StraigesRTD4 (8)Oct 23, 193775Loss67–5–3 Lou AmbersMD15Sep 23, 193774Win67–4–3 Lew MasseyTKO3 (10)Aug 23, 193773Win66–4–3 Freddie 'Red' CochraneKO2 (10), Aug 16, 193772Win65–4–3 Wesley RameyKO1 (10), Jul 26, 193771Win64–4–3 Frankie WallacePTS10Jul 4, 193770Win63–4–3 Phil BakerKO2 (10)Jun 7, 193769Win62–4–3 Eddie RanKO6 (10)Apr 15, 193768Win61–4–3 Lou AmbersUD10Apr 5, 193767Win60–4–3 Nick PastoreKO7 (8)Mar 13, 193766Win59–4–3 Enrico VenturiUD15Feb 26, 193765Win58–4–3 Willie HinesKO2 (8)Feb 20, 193764Win57–4–3 Al DunbarKO1 (8)Feb 13, 193763Win56–4–3 Joe LaFauciKO2 (8)Feb 4, 193762Win55–4–3 Steve HalaikoKO3 (10), Dec 23, 193661Win54–4–3 Eddie BrinkPTS10Aug 24, 193660Win53–4–3 Frankie KlickPTS10Jun 8, 193659Win52–4–3 Leonard Del GenioPTS10May 15, 193658Win51–4–3 Aldo SpoldiPTS10Apr 27, 193657Win50–4–3 Lou JallosKO7 (10)Apr 15, 193656Win49–4–3 Bobby PachoPTS10Mar 23, 193655Win48–4–3 Joey CostaPTS8Mar 14, 193654Win47–4–3 Paris ApiceTKO6 (10), Feb 12, 193653Win46–4–3 Al RothPTS10Feb 3, 193652Win45–4–3 Jimmy MurrayTKO5 (8)Dec 21, 193551Win44–4–3 Joey ZoddaKO1 (10)Dec 11, 193550Win43–4–3 Pete MasciaPTS8Nov 30, 193549Win42–4–3 Jack StanleyKO3 (10)Nov 20, 193548Win41–4–3 Johnny MorroTKO4 (10), Nov 14, 193547Win40–4–3 Joey GrebKO2 (8)Nov 8, 193546Win39–4–3 Phil RaffertyPTS10Oct 30, 193545Win38–4–3 Steve HalaikoUD10Oct 16, 193544Win37–4–3 Carlo OrlandiTKO10 (10)Jul 14, 193543Win36–4–3 Gheorghe CovaciPTS10May 10, 193542Win35–4–3 Harry BrooksPTS10Apr 21, 193541Draw34–4–3 Saverio TurielloPTS10Apr 15, 193540Win34–4–2 George OdwellKO2 (10)Mar 31, 193539Win33–4–2 Victor DenylKO3 (10)Mar 19, 193538Win32–4–2 Tommy DowlaisKO3 (12)Mar 10, 193537Win31–4–2 Roger SimendeKO8 (10)Mar 5, 193536Win30–4–2 Roland CourantKO5 (10)Feb 16, 193535Win29–4–2 Hajik SandjackTKO4 (6)Jan 28, 193534Win28–4–2 Raymond DeferKO6 (10)Jan 11, 193533Win27–4–2 Maurice ArnaultPTS6Dec 24, 1934 32Win26–4–2 Kid ZentiTKO2 (6)Dec 5, 1934 31Win25–4–2 Ramon BadiaKO3 (10)Sep 28, 1934 30Win24–4–2 Cipriano TorresKO2 (10)Aug 22, 1934 29Win23–4–2 Guillermo RuizTKO8 (10)Jul 18, 1934 28Win22–4–2 Jose MicoKO2 (10)Jun 27, 1934 27Win21–4–2 Miguel MartinezTKO4 (10)Jun 20, 1934 26Win20–4–2 Juan LlanguasTKO4 (10)May 2, 1934 25Win19–4–2 Felix PerezTKO7 (10)Mar 7, 1934 24Loss18–4–2 Felipe AndradePTS10Sep 29, 1933 23Loss18–3–2 Felipe AndradePTS10Aug 27, 1933 22Win18–2–2 Emilio MorrisPTS10Jul 4, 1933 21Win17–2–2 Jesus RodilPTS8May 20, 1933 20Win16–2–2 Franz DuebbersPTS10Apr 26, 1933 19Draw15–2–2 Firpo ZulianoPTS8Apr 16, 1933 18Win15–2–1 Emilio MorrisPTS10Sep 18, 1932 17Win14–2–1 Hector ChafferdetPTS10Jul 17, 1932 16Win13–2–1 Pedro RuizKO4 (10)Jun 26, 1932 15Win12–2–1 Meliton AragonPTS10Jun 4, 1932 14Win11–2–1 Ramon BordeliesPTS8May 7, 1932 13Win10–2–1 Johnny AlbaPTS8Apr 23, 1932 12Win9–2–1 Johnny AlbaPTS8Apr 9, 1932 11Draw8–2–1 Sindulfo DiazPTS8Feb 27, 1932 10Win8–2 Carlos FloresPTS8Oct 4, 1931 9Loss7–2 Firpo ZulianoPTS10Sep 13, 1931 8Loss7–1 Hector ChafferdetPTS8Aug 10, 1931 7Win7–0 Kid LangfordPTS10Jul 25, 1931 6Win6–0 Julio GreavesPTS6Jul 18, 1931 5Win5–0 Guillermo NelsonPTS8Jun 28, 1931 4Win4–0 Pedro MendozaKO1 (4)Jun 21, 1931 3Win3–0 Vicente AbadiaPTS6May 10, 1931 2Win2–0 Juan SanchezPTS6Apr 19, 1931 1Win1–0 Antonio MelendezPTS6Feb 1, 1931
See also
List of Puerto Ricans Sports in Puerto Rico Boxing in Puerto Rico
References
External links International Boxing Hall of Fame page