Tonight’s show in Tijuana to honor international boxing hero
Friday, August 16, 2013, Gaspar “El Indio” Ortega attended the weigh-in ceremony for the 22 boxers who are to compete in the following evening’s boxing show at Tijuana’s Municipal Stadium. Since the event is being held in his honor, the legendary Hall of Famer and former long time resident, was asked to point up at the banner with his photo. Of his bouts in Mexico, Ortega’s record is 86-3-1 and a perfect 11-0 in Tijuana. All photos: Jim Wyatt
On Saturday evening, August 17, 2013, V & B Promotions, returns to Tijuana’s Municipal Auditorium with another exciting show. As an added treat, the promoters are hoping to honor Hall of Fame boxer Gaspar Ortega, a local and international boxing legend of whom millions watched on TV on the popular Gillette Cavalcade of Sports Friday Night Fights.
Just before the official weigh-ins for Saturday’s V&B Promotions Boxing Show “The Legend Returns” the 77 year-old Hall of Fame boxer Gaspar Ortega points up to the banner displaying an announcement of the August 17th show.
Gaspar Ortega’s storied past: In 1953, immediately following his 17th birthday, the youngster turned professional. He won all 20 matches that year. After losing his first fight in 1954, he received an invite from a trainer in New York. At that point, the adventurous prizefighter crossed the border, headed north to the Greyhound Bus Terminal in San Diego, and purchased a one-way ticket to the Big Apple.
With little funds in his pocket, no food or job prospects, just that sketchy offer from a trainer, the 18 year-old boarded the bus. For the next three days his only sustenance came from vending machines at the various stops along the way. Whatever came down those vending machine shoots became his meal for the day.
After passing through the intimidating Holland Tunnel to conclude his 2,755 mile, three day trek, the bus arrived at the terminal in Manhattan. Stepping off the bus, he looked this way and that way but saw not one friendly face, no one was there to greet him. Finally after standing around for what must have seemed like an eternity, a man approached and asked if he was Mexican. Ortega answered yes, and off they went.
For his first fight, he received $150. That was $90 more than his highest purse in Mexico. For his next fight, he received $1,500. Both bouts were fought at the legendary Madison Square Garden.
To earn this kind of money, he knew he’d have to live in New York City, at least for a while. The rest is history as “El Indio” went on to win 131 fights with 69 of his wins coming by way of knockout. He appeared on prime-time, network television more than almost any other boxer in the history of the sport. Only Freddie Roach has been on TV more times. He appeared before audiences of millions to battle the biggest names in the sport, people like, Tony DeMarco, Benny “Kid” Paret, Emile Griffith, Kid Gavilan, Carmen Basilio and Nino Benvenuti.
After his illustrious career ended, Ortega was of course inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame. In celebration of his phenomenal career, Saturday night’s boxing card has a host of talented boxers:
Bout #1, features 32 year-old welterweight Rafael Ramon “Pride of San Diego” Ramirez (17-4-2, 4 KOs) from Spring Valley, CA (far left) making his return to the ring after not fighting since October 5, 2006. His opponent is Alejandro “Iron Man” Alonso (2-16-2, 1 KO) from Rosarito, B. C., Mexico (right). All photos: J. Wyatt
Bout #2 has 22 year-old super bantamweight Jorge De Alba (9-0-1, 7 KOs) of Tijuana (far left) going up against Jose Hernandez of Ensenada making his debut.
In Bout #3, they have the winless 22 year-old Carlos Lopez of Tijuana (0-5-0) who trains at the San Luis Boxing Gym in Tijuana going up against 21 year-old Jose Toribio (2-1-0, 1 KO) from Tijuana but fighting out of the Undisputed Fitness & Training Center in San Diego.
Bout #4 has light middleweight Guillermo Castillo (r) of San Diego, CA making his pro debut against Juan Carlos Moreno (0-3-0). All photos: Jim Wyatt
Bout #5 features featherweights Christian “El Coralillo” Nieto Ayala (1-0-0, 1 KO) from Tijuana going up against Felipe Reyes (0-2) a southpaw from Tijuana.
Bout #6 has 23 year-old light welterweight Daniel Ramirez (1-0) from Norwalk, CA (left) taking on Ignacio Mondragon (r) 0-15-1 from Ensenada, B. C., Mexico.
In Bout #7, it’s Christian Gonzalez (top, right) making his pro-debut against Alfredo Echeverria (1-2-0, 1 KO) from Rosarito, Mexico (top left).
In Bout #8 they have 16-year-old Victor “Chaky” Sandoval (right) from Tijuana making in his pro debut against Javier Felix “Chapito” Rubio (0-3) of Tijuana.
Bout #9 features (right) 23 year-old Norberto “Torito” Espinoza (0-3) versus 18 year-old Abraham “Choko” Rodriguez (2-0) (right).
Bout #10 (l to r) Marino Canete (1-3-0) going up against Julio “Nino” Castillo (1-1). Both are from Tijuana, B. C., Mexico. Photos: Jim Wyatt
After 10 years of training but only 13 Amateur bouts, 26 year-old Sergio “Diamond” Ramirez (left) from Final Round Boxing in Tijuana is going up against 22 year-old Roberto Nunez who has 2o Amateur bouts under his belt. Like Ramirez, Nunez is making his pro-debut.
(bottom photo) Sergio Ramirez (center) is joined by two of his top supporters, daughter Nicole (r) and son Alexander (l).
With their deep respect for Ortega and his homecoming, there were more than the usual people attending yesterday’s weigh-ins. Such notables as the Molina brothers, Oscar and Javier plus Antonio Margarito. Rafael Ramirez (bottom left) was one of the many who asked for a photo with Senor Ortega.
