Montanez, Pedro

A Puerto Rican, Montanez was listed as a "Spanish Jew" by the Everlast Boxing Record in 1936. That year, he was considered the No. 3 contender for the lightweight crown by the same publication. During his career, Pedro fought twice for world titles -- the lightweight championship in 1937 and the welterweight title in 1940.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. April 24, 1914

Career Highlights:
Born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, Montanez began fighting as an amateur as a teenager and won both the Puerto Rican bantamweight and featherweight titles. Known in his native land as "Don Diablo" (Mr. Devil), Montanez turned professional in 1931. He became the Venezuelan lightweight champion in 1932 and the Puerto Rican lightweight champ in 1933 when he defeated Emilio Morris in a 10-round decision.

In 1934 and 1935, Montanez fought in Europe, mostly in Spain, France, and England, with a couple of fights in Italy. In October 1935, he arrived in the United States and won a number of bouts in the New York City area. Then, in February 1936, Pedro fought Al Roth in St. Nicholas Palace in New York. According to Jack Miley, sports columnist of the Daily News, the bout was, "...Montanez's real five-star performance...Pedro did everything to Roth but chill him and the customers wondered what was holding Al up. Montanez maced the Bronx brawler with every punch in the book -- and a few that weren't -- for ten rounds."

Montanez won the ten-round decision and continued his rise in the lightweight ranks. In April 1937, he won a ten-round decision over Lou Ambers in Madison Square Garden. The following month, Ambers captured the world lightweight title and he and Montanez fought a rematch with the championship at stake in September 1937. Montanez entered the title bout with undefeated streak of an astonishing 61 consecutive matches (57 wins and 4 draws) which began in 1932.

On September 23, Montanez and Ambers squared off as part of promoter Mike Jacobs' "Carnival of Champions" at Madison Square Garden (the card included four world title bouts). Montanez went the full 15-round with Ambers, but lost a split decision when the referee called it a draw, but the two judges awarded the fight to Ambers.

Over the next two years, Pedro moved up in weight and fought as a welterweight. He lost only one bout over that span, to contender Davey Day. In January 1940, Montanez faced the great Henry Armstrong for the world welterweight title. During the fight, Pedro was knocked down in the fourth-round -- the first knockdown of his career -- and was knocked out in the ninth-round. Pedro fought only once more after his loss to Armstrong, and retired in 1940 with a career record of 81 wins (50 knockouts), 5 draws, and 4 losses.

Origin:
Cayey, Puerto Rico

Physical description:
5'5", 140-145 pounds

Career Statistics:
Professional record:
Wins: 81 (50 by knockout)
Losses: 5
Draws: 4

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