This content is protected Don’t know how to just insert the photos. Carlos and his wife Maria were gracious enough to meet up for the day. The champ is doing well. He’s moving well, his memory is great, he’s not looking or sounding like a soon to be 85 year old fighter. We went out for a meal and they invited me into their home where I got to see all his belts, awards, photos, old clippings etc; I asked if he still watches boxing today. He said he watches boxing every time it’s on TV and always loved boxing and he said the older he gets the more and more he loves the sport. Says he’s a fan of all fighters right now and doesn’t really have a favorite but Trinidad definitely seems to have been his favorite of the last few decades. Definitely seems proud that he was one of the fighters who traveled the most and did it all in the opponent’s backyard. I told him that most knowledgeable fans across the forums seem to recognize him as the greatest Puerto Rican fighter ever and one of the greatest lightweights ever. He’s happy with that. Just loves being recognized with legends. Really happy and nice guy. One of my favorite experiences in boxing. I’ll definitely link up with them again with them soon and I’ll start a thread and we can ask him questions.
Chris, this is outstanding. I met him many years ago out in L.A. with my Dad and thought he was a terrific guy. Glad to hear he's still doing good.
Wow! Your post makes me very happy. I know Carlos had some very tough times after he lost the title. It's SO GREAT to hear that he is doing well enjoying his "golden years" and being able to appreciate and savor his many accomplishments. So refreshing!!
Great stuff Chris! He seems to still be in great spirits! It's amazing that you get to meet legends like Zarate and Ortiz, must have been such an incredible experience getting to talk to them. But it's always great seeing just how humble and nice these people they are.
Definitely the best fighter from PR IMO. He's one of the few fighters that were more than willing to travel anywhere and fight at the opponents backyard. There was an interview I read years ago about his experience in the Philippines when he fought Flash Elorde and it just brought a smile to my face. It's not often you get to hear the crowd being very respectful to the foreign opponent, especially after beating the hometown fighter. But seeing Ortiz's thoughts on my home country makes me happier, especially knowing just how respectful my fellow Filipinos are.
This might be my favourite thing I've ever seen on the forum. You jammy fecker Chris, serious street cred to you, and your street cred was already like....you know.....****in serious street cred. Yeah, you jammy, poxy, lucky swinehound. I've been very depressed this week after the premature death of one of my heroes, the great Sean Lock, and this has really uplifted me. Cheers fella. I'm in the same boat as @KasimirKid, it just really pleases me to see him healthy, sprightly and happy after conquering alcoholism and likely a gambling addiction in young to middle age. A truly magnificent fighter, remarkable that he's made 85 in such great nick. He looks so little next to Chris, bless him.
Hi mate, yeah he said he knocked alcohol on the head and stayed out of trouble. Married Maria in 1976, they did move to Puerto Rico but came back and they’ve lived in the same place since 1986. He said it helps that he was a “Ill hit you but you won’t hit me” type of fighter and got out once he realized he didn’t have it anymore.
That was the thing, he was smart and just called it quits. I do think he looked sharp in the opening rounds against Buchanan tbh despite looking like a drunken version of John C Reilly, obviously he was only in the type of shape to go a few rounds and wisely packed in with his dignity in tact before Buchanan hurt him. Did he say anything about the Teo Cruz fight? I thought he'd been reluctant to discuss it in years gone by.
I didn’t get into that fight with him. I’ve read that reported as a legit decision but the neutral ref had him way up. I believe he was jerked around before the fight in that one and was close to pulling out. I’ve got the archives for it and a 10 minute video of it.
Aye, the decision was legit by everything I've read and the highlights had Cruz on top too. It was the pre-fight stuff you alluded to that I meant, him nearly pulling out etc, which is also what I heard. No worries, thanks mate.
He and his wife love it there. They were there 7 years ago with Elorde’s family. Said they treated him great and loves the people there. It was his favorite foreign place he ever fought in.
