Jose Torres is boxing's renaissance man: Olympian, world champion, author, administrator and now Hall of Famer.
Like many successful amateur fighters, Jose began fighting when he joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18. From the Army, he represented the United States in the 1956 Olympics and won a silver medal in the light middleweight division.
Like many Olympic medallists, Torres went on to have a brilliant pro career.
Torres turned pro in 1958 and quickly established himself as a contender when he battled future welterweight king Benny Paret to a 10-round draw. As a middleweight he beat contenders Randy Sandy, Don Fullmer, Jose Gonzalez and Wilbert McClure.
In 1965, Torres stopped Willie Pastrano at Madison Square Garden to become light heavyweight champion of the world. Then, four months later, he won a non-title bout over Tom McNeeley, who would later challenge for the heavyweight title.
Torres made three successful title defenses in 1966, defeating Wayne Thornton, Eddie Cotton and Chic Calderwood. But in December of '66, Torres lost the crown to former middleweight king Dick Tiger on a close decision.
They fought again six months later and Torres lost a split decision. Torres fought once in 1968, knocking out Bob Dunlop and once in 1969, climbing off the canvas to stop Charlie "The Devil" Green. That was his last fight.
Torres has remained part of boxing although his fighting days ended. He authored a pair of biographies, Sting Like a Bee on Muhammad Ali and Fire and Fear on Mike Tyson. From 1983 to 1988 he served as chairman of the New York State Boxing Commission and is currently a presiding supervisor for the WBO.
Born: May 3, 1936
Died: Jan. 19, 2009
Bouts: 45
Won: 41
Lost: 3
Drew: 1
KOs: 29
Induction: 1997
Jose Torres
