José Torres 1936 – 2009

Biography

José Torres was born on May 3, 1936, in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where he would spend much of his life pursuing a career in boxing. His journey in the sport took him through various competitions and challenges as he developed his skills in the ring. Torres became part of Puerto Rico’s rich boxing tradition, a legacy that has produced many accomplished athletes from the island.

Throughout his life, Torres remained connected to his native Ponce, the city that shaped his early years and values. His dedication to boxing reflected the passion and determination characteristic of many Puerto Rican athletes of his generation. Though his boxing career ultimately defined much of his public life, Torres was remembered as part of the broader community of talented fighters who brought recognition to Puerto Rico in the sport.

José Torres passed away on January 19, 2009, in his native Ponce, at the age of 72, from a myocardial infarction. His contributions to boxing and his life in Puerto Rico were honored through his interment at the Román Baldorioty de Castro National Pantheon in Ponce, a place of distinction reserved for those who made meaningful impacts on Puerto Rican history and culture. His legacy endures as part of Puerto Rico’s sporting heritage.