Rafael Ortega
Encyclopedia
Rafael Ortega is a former professional boxer
. The highlight of his career came in 1977, when he won the WBA
World featherweight title.
, Panama against Roberto Javier. The fight went the four round distance and Ortega was announced as the winner by unanimous decision. Ortega would fight for the first time outside of Panama on February 16, 1972 as he travelled to New York City
, United States
to face Fernando Jimenez. Ortega arrived in New York with an unbeaten record after 9 fights (including 4 draws) and further added to his wins with an eight round decision victory. He went on to win two more bouts in New York and would also fight in El Salvador
during his early career.
On December 15, 1973 Ortega challenged for his first title. The champion was Rigoberto Riasco, who held the Panamanian featherweight title. Riasco retained his title with a twelve round unanimous decision and would later go on to win the WBC
super bantamweight title. Over his next 7 fights Ortega compiled a record of 5 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw while fighting in Mexico
, Venezuela
and South Africa
as well as Panama.
On January 15, 1977 Ortega fought Francisco Coronado for the vacant WBA featherweight title. After fifteen rounds the scorecards were revealed as: 146-143, 146-143 and 144-143—all in favour of Ortega who took the title by unanimous decision. For his first title defence Ortega travelled to Okinawa, Japan
to face Flipper Uehara in his hometown. Ortega retained his title with another unanimous decision and in the process knocked Uehara down in the first and fourth rounds with left uppercuts.
For the next defence of his title Ortega travelled to Cantabria
, Spain
, which was the hometown of the challenger Cecilio Lastra
. An estimated crowd of 6,300 saw Lastra knockdown Ortega in the third round with a solid left jab and win the title via split decision after dominating the fight. Ortega did not return to boxing until 1984 when he won a unanimous decision over Ernesto Arce. This was to be his last victory as, in his final fight, he lost to Virgilio Barrera by technical knockout on April 14, 1984.
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...
. The highlight of his career came in 1977, when he won the WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
World featherweight title.
Professional career
Ortega began his professional career on January 24, 1970 in Colon CityColón, Panama
Colón is a sea port on the Caribbean Sea coast of Panama. The city lies near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. It is capital of Panama's Colón Province and has traditionally been known as Panama's second city....
, Panama against Roberto Javier. The fight went the four round distance and Ortega was announced as the winner by unanimous decision. Ortega would fight for the first time outside of Panama on February 16, 1972 as he travelled to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to face Fernando Jimenez. Ortega arrived in New York with an unbeaten record after 9 fights (including 4 draws) and further added to his wins with an eight round decision victory. He went on to win two more bouts in New York and would also fight in El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
during his early career.
On December 15, 1973 Ortega challenged for his first title. The champion was Rigoberto Riasco, who held the Panamanian featherweight title. Riasco retained his title with a twelve round unanimous decision and would later go on to win the WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
super bantamweight title. Over his next 7 fights Ortega compiled a record of 5 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw while fighting in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
as well as Panama.
On January 15, 1977 Ortega fought Francisco Coronado for the vacant WBA featherweight title. After fifteen rounds the scorecards were revealed as: 146-143, 146-143 and 144-143—all in favour of Ortega who took the title by unanimous decision. For his first title defence Ortega travelled to Okinawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
to face Flipper Uehara in his hometown. Ortega retained his title with another unanimous decision and in the process knocked Uehara down in the first and fourth rounds with left uppercuts.
For the next defence of his title Ortega travelled to Cantabria
Cantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, which was the hometown of the challenger Cecilio Lastra
Cecilio Lastra
Cecilio Lastra is a former Spanish professional boxer. He fought 54 times between 1975 and 1982; winning 39 , losing 13 and drawing 2. The highlight of Lastra's career came in 1977 when he won the WBA world featherweight title against Rafael Ortega...
. An estimated crowd of 6,300 saw Lastra knockdown Ortega in the third round with a solid left jab and win the title via split decision after dominating the fight. Ortega did not return to boxing until 1984 when he won a unanimous decision over Ernesto Arce. This was to be his last victory as, in his final fight, he lost to Virgilio Barrera by technical knockout on April 14, 1984.