José Luis Torres (born May 3, 1936, Ponce, Puerto Rico – died January 19, 2009, Ponce, Puerto Rico), often known as José Torres or by his nickname "Chegüi," was a Puerto Rican professional boxer, author, and sports commissioner. He is best known for becoming the first Puerto Rican to win the world light heavyweight championship.
Early Life and Amateur Career
Born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Torres began boxing at a young age. He gained prominence in the amateur ranks, culminating in a silver medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games in the light middleweight division, representing the United States. His amateur record was highly successful, establishing him as a promising talent.Professional Career
Torres turned professional in 1958. He quickly moved up the ranks, primarily competing in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. On March 30, 1965, he achieved his most significant professional accomplishment by defeating Willie Pastrano via a ninth-round technical knockout to win the WBA and WBC world light heavyweight titles. This made him the first Puerto Rican and the third Hispanic boxer to capture a world light heavyweight title.He successfully defended his titles against Wayne Thornton and Eddie Cotton before losing them to Dick Tiger in a closely contested 15-round unanimous decision on December 16, 1966. A rematch seven months later also went to Tiger by decision. Torres continued to fight until 1969, retiring with a professional record of 41 wins (29 KOs), 3 losses, and 1 draw.
Post-Boxing Career and Legacy
After retiring from boxing, Torres remained deeply involved in the sport and pursued a successful career as an author and administrator. He served as the Commissioner of the New York State Athletic Commission and later as the president of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) in the early 1990s.As an author, he penned critically acclaimed biographies, including "Sting Like a Bee," about Muhammad Ali, and "Fire and Fear: The Inside Story of Mike Tyson." He was also a columnist for The Village Voice and a prominent boxing commentator.
José Torres was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994, recognizing his significant contributions to the sport as a fighter and an ambassador. He is widely regarded as one of Puerto Rico's greatest boxers and a respected figure in the history of boxing.