José Torres(1936-2009)

Jose Torres was a member of the 1956 US Olmpic Boxing Team. As an amateur boxer he won the 1958 Inter-City Golden Glives Boxing Championship. Turned professional on May 24, 1958 knocking out Sgt. Gene Hamilton in one round in Broojlyn, New York. Was undefeated until 1963. With a record of 26-0-1 with 21 knockouts, he was knocked out for the only time in his career by hard-punching Florentino Fernandez in 5 rounds in San Juan on May 26, 1963. Torres rebounded with victories over top-rated Don Fullmer, Jose Gonzalez, Gomemo Brennan, and Carl "Bobo" Olsen to earn a World Title shot. Torres knocked-out Willie Pastrano on March 30, 1965 in New York to win the World's Lightheavyweight Boxing Title. Made three successful title defenses before losing the championship in an upset to ancient Dick Tiger. Torres made an ill-advised comeback on July 14, 1969 against Charlie "Devil" Green. Torres was knocked down twice in the first round, and knocked cold. However, he was dragged back to his corner, revived, and went on to knockout Green in the next round. Torres retired after the fight with a 41-3-1 record. He wrote a novel about Muhammad Ali and even flirted with the idea of coming back to fight Ali in 1970.