Orlando Canizales
# Orlando Canizales

Orlando Canizales (born November 25, 1965) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 1999. He held the IBF bantamweight title between July 1988 and December 1994.

## Early life

Canizales who is of Mexican descent was born in Laredo, the seat of Webb County in South Texas. There he began training at the age of ten at the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He is the younger brother of fellow bantamweight world champion Gaby Canizales. Both brothers obtained the title of world boxing champion at the same age and weight.

## Professional boxing career

Canizales turned professional in 1984 and was undefeated in twelve fights (one fight was a draw) before meeting the 1984 Olympic gold medalist Paul Gonzales in 1986. Gonzales defeated him over twelve rounds. Canizales rebounded from that defeat, however, and on July 9, 1988, he won the IBF bantamweight title by knocking out defending titlist Kelvin Seabrooks in the fifteenth round. He tied the division record for consecutive title defences at 15 set by Manuel Ortiz. His victims included old foe Gonzales, former flyweight champion Rolando Bohol, British champion Billy Hardy, and future champion Clarence "Bones" Adams. Many people incorrectly state that Orlando Canizales made 16 consecutive defences. This is due to many of them counting a no contest with Derrick Whiteboy as a title defence. No contests are not title defences however as the champion can't defend his title in a match that isn't considered to be a proper boxing contest.

In January 1995, Canizales attempted to win a title in the junior featherweight division. World Boxing Association champion Wilfredo Vazquez prevented him from doing so, winning a twelve-round split decision.

He continued fighting until 1999, when future champion Frank Toledo defeated him via ten-round split decision. He retired after that loss.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on July 14, 2009. With his parents watching, an emotional Canizales approached the podium and delivered a heartfelt speech. "Boxing has taught me a lot in life -- that dedication, discipline and determination will pay off in the long run and not to be easily swayed by obstacles and bumps in the road."

The Orlando & Gaby Canizales Boxing Gym and Community Center on Guadalupe Street in Laredo is named in honor of Orlando and his brother Gaby.

## Professional boxing record

| 57 fights | 50 wins | 5 losses |
| - | - | - |
| By knockout | 37 | 0 |
| By decision | 13 | 5 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| No contests | 1 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 57 | Loss | 50–5–1 (1) | Frank Toledo | SD | 10 | Sep 24, 1999 | The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 50–4–1 (1) | Richard De Jesus | RTD | 6 (10), 3:00 | Jun 4, 1999 | The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 55 | Loss | 49–4–1 (1) | Richard De Jesus | MD | 10 | Dec 11, 1998 | The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 49–3–1 (1) | Tomas Valdez | KO | 3 (10) | Oct 22, 1998 | Reseda Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 48–3–1 (1) | Javier Diaz | UD | 10 | May 29, 1998 | Sheraton Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 52 | Win | 47–3–1 (1) | Jose Luis Montes | KO | 7 (10), 2:57 | Mar 21, 1998 | Congress Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 51 | Win | 46–3–1 (1) | Edwin Santana | MD | 12 | Jul 25, 1997 | Tropicana Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBA featherweight title |
| 50 | Win | 45–3–1 (1) | Manuel Arellano | RTD | 5 (10), 3:00 | May 9, 1997 | Orleans Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 44–3–1 (1) | Roland Gomez | KO | 4 (10), 2:57 | Mar 1, 1997 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 43–3–1 (1) | Sergio Reyes | TKO | 10 (12), 0:28 | Nov 3, 1996 | Tokyo Bay NK Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won vacant IBA featherweight title |
| 47 | Loss | 42–3–1 (1) | Junior Jones | SD | 12 | Mar 23, 1996 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 42–2–1 (1) | Julio Cesar Portillo | TKO | 2 (12), 2:36 | Nov 4, 1995 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 41–2–1 (1) | Danny Aponte | TKO | 7 (12), 1:49 | Sep 12, 1995 | Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 40–2–1 (1) | Johnny Lewus | UD | 12 | Jul 15, 1995 | Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 39–2–1 (1) | Kino Rodriguez | KO | 2 (10), 2:43 | Jun 10, 1995 | Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 42 | Loss | 38–2–1 (1) | Wilfredo Vazquez | SD | 12 | Jan 7, 1995 | Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | For WBA super bantamweight title |
| 41 | Win | 38–1–1 (1) | Sergio Reyes | UD | 12 | Oct 15, 1994 | Martin Field, Laredo, Texas, U.S. | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 40 | Win | 37–1–1 (1) | Rolando Bohol | KO | 5 (12), 0:27 | Jun 7, 1994 | Convention Center, South Padre Island, Texas, U.S. | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 39 | Win | 36–1–1 (1) | Gerardo Martinez | TKO | 4 (12), 2:22 | Feb 26, 1994 | San Jose State Events Center, San Jose, California, U.S. | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 38 | Win | 35–1–1 (1) | Juvenal Berrio | UD | 12 | Nov 20, 1993 | Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 37 | NC | 34–1–1 (1) | Derrick Whiteboy | KO | 3 (12), 1:23 | Jun 19, 1993 | The Summit, Houston, Texas, U.S. | IBF bantamweight title at stake |
| 36 | Win | 34–1–1 | Clarence Adams | TKO | 11 (12), 1:32 | Mar 27, 1993 | Casino Royal, Evian les Bains, France | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 35 | Win | 33–1–1 | Samuel Duran | UD | 12 | Sep 18, 1992 | Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, Bozeman, Montana, U.S. | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 34 | Win | 32–1–1 | Fernando Ramos | KO | 8 (10) | Jul 11, 1992 | Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monaco | |
| 33 | Win | 31–1–1 | Francisco Alvarez | UD | 12 | Apr 23, 1992 | Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, France | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 32 | Win | 30–1–1 | Ray Minus | TKO | 11 (12), 1:45 | Dec 21, 1991 | Civic Center Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S. | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 31 | Win | 29–1–1 | Fernie Morales | UD | 12 | Sep 21, 1991 | Desert Expo Center, Indio, California, U.S. | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 30 | Win | 28–1–1 | Billy Hardy | TKO | 8 (12), 1:08 | May 4, 1991 | Civic Center Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S. | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 29 | Win | 27–1–1 | Francisco Ortiz | UD | 10 | Dec 14, 1990 | Sands Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 26–1–1 | Eddie Rangel | KO | 5 (12), 0:32 | Aug 14, 1990 | City Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S. | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 27 | Win | 25–1–1 | Paul Gonzales | TKO | 2 (12), 0:30 | Jun 10, 1990 | County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, U.S. | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 26 | Win | 24–1–1 | Jesus Portillo | TKO | 6 (?) | Apr 27, 1990 | Dallas, Texas, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 23–1–1 | Billy Hardy | SD | 12 | Jan 24, 1990 | Crowtree Leisure Centre, Sunderland, United Kingdom | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 24 | Win | 22–1–1 | Kelvin Seabrooks | TKO | 11 (12), 0:47 | Jun 24, 1989 | Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 23 | Win | 21–1–1 | Jimmy Navarro | KO | 1 (12), 2:39 | Nov 29, 1988 | Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 22 | Win | 20–1–1 | Kelvin Seabrooks | TKO | 15 (15), 1:03 | Jul 9, 1988 | Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Won IBF bantamweight title |
| 21 | Win | 19–1–1 | Louis Curtis | TKO | 2 (12), 1:52 | Apr 15, 1988 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Won vacant USBA super flyweight title |
| 20 | Win | 18–1–1 | Armando Velasco | TKO | 4 (12), 2:12 | Nov 12, 1987 | Houston, Texas, U.S. | Won NABF flyweight title |
| 19 | Win | 17–1–1 | Jose Olivares | KO | 4 (10), 0:44 | Sep 25, 1987 | Fiesta Plaza Mall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 16–1–1 | Alonzo Gonzalez | UD | 10 | Jun 3, 1987 | San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 15–1–1 | Javier Lucas | KO | 9 (10), 1:51 | Feb 20, 1987 | San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 14–1–1 | Prudencio Cardona | TKO | 6 (10), 1:58 | Jan 30, 1987 | Fiesta Plaza Mall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 13–1–1 | Jorge Vazquez | KO | 2 (10), 1:58 | Dec 11, 1986 | Marriot Brookhollow, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 12–1–1 | Juan Garcia | KO | 1 (8) | Sep 27, 1986 | Bluebonnet Convention Center, Victoria, Texas, U.S. | |
| 13 | Loss | 11–1–1 | Paul Gonzales | UD | 12 | Jul 20, 1986 | Caesars Tahoe, Winners All Outdoor Stadium, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. | For NABF flyweight title |
| 12 | Win | 11–0–1 | Javier Diaz | UD | 10 | May 6, 1986 | La Villita Assembly Hall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 10–0–1 | Cuauhtémoc Villenueva | KO | 2 (6), 2:08 | Mar 12, 1986 | Ramada-Houston Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 9–0–1 | Jorge Fuentes Martinez | KO | 5 (6) | Dec 12, 1985 | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 8–0–1 | Steve Whetstone | KO | 3 (6) | Nov 20, 1985 | Woodlands Inn, Conroe, Texas, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 7–0–1 | Armando Castro | UD | 6 | Oct 18, 1985 | West Martin Field, Laredo, Texas, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 6–0–1 | Rolando Luna | KO | 1 (6) | Oct 9, 1985 | Mezzanine Arena, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 5–0–1 | Manuel Gago | TKO | 2 (6), 1:04 | Jul 26, 1985 | Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 4–0–1 | Nelson Garcia | TKO | 1 (6), 2:10 | May 9, 1985 | Hyatt Regency Houston, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 3–0–1 | Juan Camero | TKO | 1 (6) | Apr 9, 1985 | Hyatt Regency Houston, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 3 | Draw | 2–0–1 | Rogelio Leanos | PTS | 4 | Mar 5, 1985 | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Reymundo Eureste | KO | 1 (4), 3:08 | Nov 9, 1984 | Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Juan Perez | TKO | 2 (4) | Aug 25, 1984 | Riverdrive Mall Parking Lot, Laredo, Texas, U.S. | |
