I've heard Gaspar Ortega's name spoken in high esteem recently as an all-time great action fighter. From the highlights I've seen, I can sure get a taste as to why. Would love to know what the best fights of his career were, whether they be great performances, or all out wars.
This content is protected https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/emile-griffith-v-gaspar-ortega-real-fight.619674/ https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/02/nyregion/ortega-is-still-making-contact-in-the-ring.html Touching Gloves with…Gaspar Ortega
Pretty much anything you can find online. One of the most exciting fighters I've ever seen to be honest. I highly recommend his fight against Florentino Fernandez though.
Supposedly Ortega was grossly "over-trained" for the Griffith WW title shot on 6/3/1961 This content is protected Ortega had 176 professional fights. Gaspar "Indian" Ortega Born: Gaspar Benitez, October 31, 1935 Mexicali, MEX (Fought out of Tijuana and New York) Height: 5-10 1/2 Manager: Nick Corby Gaspar "Indian" Ortega Born: Gaspar Benitez, October 31, 1935 Mexicali, MEX (Fought out of Tijuana and New York) Height: 5-10 1/2 Manager: Nick Corby Professional Record: 131-39-6 (69 KO's) Ortega who was half Indian, half Mexican, was a top Welterweight contender from roughly 1956 till 1964. In his lone title shot, he showed up badly over-trained and was stopped in twelve rounds by the usually light-hitting Emile Griffith. Ortega beat many top fighters, including: Isaac Logart, Tony DeMarco, Kid Gavilan, Rudell Stitch, Stan Harrington, and Benny "Kid" Paret. Ortega was also famous for wearing a headress into the ring very similar to the one that Yori Boy Campas has worn in recent years. In fact, it was Ortega who gave fellow Indian, Campas the idea for wearing the headdress. In retirement Ortega has worked with troubled youths in a program called Project More in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1995, Ortega was diagnosed with life-threatening throat cancer, he has since made a full recovery. Ortega who was half Indian, half Mexican, was a top Welterweight contender from roughly 1956 till 1964. In his lone title shot, he showed up badly over-trained and was stopped in twelve rounds by the usually light-hitting Emile Griffith. Ortega beat many top fighters, including: Isaac Logart, Tony DeMarco, Kid Gavilan, Rudell Stitch, Stan Harrington, and Benny "Kid" Paret. Ortega was also famous for wearing a headress into the ring very similar to the one that Yori Boy Campas has worn in recent years. In fact, it was Ortega who gave fellow Indian, Campas the idea for wearing the headdress. In retiremment Ortega has worked with troubled youths in a program called Project More in New Haven, Conneticut. In 1995, Ortega was diagnosed with life-threatening throat cancer, he has since made a full recovery. http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/ortega-g.htm
Look around for fights against Basilio, Florentino Fernandez, Billy Paret, Denny Moyer, Rudell Stich, Billy Bello and Charlie Scott. Ortega was a long armed boxer, and I never found out why he chose to sling hooks and swings at his opponent, in stead of using straight left hands and right crosses. He would have won more fights on points, but maybe television would have dumped him for to low entertainment value.
