Tony Baltazar
Encyclopedia
Antonio Baltazar is a former Mexican-American boxer
. He competed in the Lightweight division. After an amateur career where he won various titles, he turned professional in the late 1970s, and has boxed the likes of Robin Blake, former world champion Roger Mayweather
, Hector Macho Camacho
and Carlos Bolillo Gonzalez, the last two of which Baltazar fought for world titles. Baltazar has been a contender at the Lightweight and Jr. Welterweight divisions.
and Frankie Baltazar
.
, Baltazar now resides in Phoenix
. He was one time the holder of a WBO regional title, the North American Boxing Organization Jr. Welterweight championship. His brother, Frankie Baltazar, was also a top rated contender during most of the 1980s.
But Baltazar's story goes far beyond what he has accomplished inside the boxing ring: In 1995, he and his wife had a son who developed a strange blood disease. Two years later, the disease was diagnosed and Baltazar and his family started travelling constantly to Rochester, Minnesota
for treatment. In between, Baltazar organized a foundation that helps grow funds for kids with that disease. After constant improvement and fall backs, Baltazar's little son died in 2001, at the age of 6. In memory of his son, Baltazar has kept the foundation on working, and he and his helpers organize charity boxing undercards, rodeos and auctions every year.
, Evander Holyfield
and Carlos Palomino
, as well as a varied list of Hollywood actors. In 2001, the auction charity was attended by Alice Cooper
, former world boxing champion Michael Carbajal, daredevil Spanky Spangler
and others.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. He competed in the Lightweight division. After an amateur career where he won various titles, he turned professional in the late 1970s, and has boxed the likes of Robin Blake, former world champion Roger Mayweather
Roger Mayweather
Roger Mayweather is a retired professional boxer. He won two major world titles in two different weight classes. Throughout his career, Mayweather fought against many other boxing champions of the 1980s and 1990s. He is a part of the Mayweather boxing family; his brothers are former welterweight...
, Hector Macho Camacho
Héctor Camacho
Héctor Camacho , nicknamed "Macho Camacho", is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. His son, Héctor Camacho Jr., is also a boxer.- Early life and amateur career :...
and Carlos Bolillo Gonzalez, the last two of which Baltazar fought for world titles. Baltazar has been a contender at the Lightweight and Jr. Welterweight divisions.
Early life
Baltazar was born in La Puente, California. Tony is the brother of former boxers Robert BaltazarRobert Baltazar
Robert Edward Baltazar is a retired Mexican American professional boxer in the Welterweight division.-Professional career:...
and Frankie Baltazar
Frankie Baltazar
Frankie Baltazar is a retired Mexican American professional boxer in the Super Featherweight division....
.
Professional career
A native of La Puente, CaliforniaLa Puente, California
La Puente is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 39,816 at the 2010 census.* City flower: The Golden Hibiscus* City colors: Green and White.-History:...
, Baltazar now resides in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. He was one time the holder of a WBO regional title, the North American Boxing Organization Jr. Welterweight championship. His brother, Frankie Baltazar, was also a top rated contender during most of the 1980s.
But Baltazar's story goes far beyond what he has accomplished inside the boxing ring: In 1995, he and his wife had a son who developed a strange blood disease. Two years later, the disease was diagnosed and Baltazar and his family started travelling constantly to Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
for treatment. In between, Baltazar organized a foundation that helps grow funds for kids with that disease. After constant improvement and fall backs, Baltazar's little son died in 2001, at the age of 6. In memory of his son, Baltazar has kept the foundation on working, and he and his helpers organize charity boxing undercards, rodeos and auctions every year.
Retirement
His activities have been attended by several celebrities, such as world champion boxers George ForemanGeorge Foreman
George Edward Foreman is an American two-time former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, ordained Baptist minister, author and successful entrepreneur...
, Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield is a professional boxer from the United States. He is a former undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"...
and Carlos Palomino
Carlos Palomino
Carlos Palomino a retired Mexican professional boxer. Palomino is a former WBC Welterweight Champion and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Palomino is also an actor who has been featured in several television shows and films...
, as well as a varied list of Hollywood actors. In 2001, the auction charity was attended by Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, former world boxing champion Michael Carbajal, daredevil Spanky Spangler
Spanky Spangler
Spanky Spangler is a daredevil and theatrical stunt man who currently claims to hold the world record distance for a jump performed in an automobile at 328 feet . The most common stunt that he performs is jumping off a platform or hot air balloon over 150 feet in the air into an air bag on the ground...
and others.