Tony Baltazar

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Tony Baltazar (born 1961) is a professional boxer. 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. In June of 1976 Tony won the National AAU Junior Olympic Championship at 125 lbs. at St. Norbert's College, Green Bay-Depere,WI. (He was voted outstanding boxer of said tourney)

Former opponent Howard Davis Jr was asked in an interview who were some of the Hardest Punchers you went up against, Howard Davis Jr. said, "Tony Baltazar was a devastating puncher."

A native of La Puente, California, Baltazar now resides in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. His other brother Robert also was a pro boxer. Frank Sr. and Tony's Mother always encouraged their children to train hard and to fight fair...**Frank Senior was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007. *Read more about Frank Senior Below*

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 traveling constantly to Rochester, Minnesota for treatment. In between, Baltazar and his father-in-law Pat Larkin organized a foundation named Little Angels Helping Hands 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 going and he and his helpers organize charity boxing undercards, rodeos and auctions every year.

His activities have been attended by several celebrities, such as world champion boxers George Foreman,Evander Holyfield and Carlos Palomino, as well as a varied list of Hollywood actors actors. In 2001, the auction charity was attended by Alice Cooper, former world boxing champion Michael Carbajal, Hollywood stunt-man Ron Nix, daredevil Spanky Spangler and others. Tony and Robert Tuozzo became close friends in the year 2000 (Y2K) and remain best of friends to this day.

It should be pointed out also that, Baltazar and Camacho have also become friends outside the ring with the years.

In the mid-60's, Frank turned from boxing to coaching and took over the Los Angeles Junior Golden Gloves program, helping develop future top contenders and world champions, including two of his four sons, Frankie Jr. and Tony Baltazar.

The Junior Golden Gloves was created by Johnny Flores and Louie Jaurequi. Frank Baltazar would take over the program after Flores and Jaurequi focused on developing professional boxers.

Under Frank's guidance, the Junior Golden Gloves program not only contributed to boxing, but to the community, providing youth with an alternative to gang involvment.

In 1973, Frank was head coach for Los Angeles Golden Gloves team which represented the City of Angels in the annual National Golden Gloves "Tournament of Champions" helden in Boston, Mass.

The all-star L.A. team included future contenders and a world champ in Art Frias, Frankie Duarte, Randy Shields and national Golden Gloves champ, Roy Hollis.

Frank would later manage the careers of his two oldest sons, both who reached top ranking in the junior lightweight and welterweight divisions.

Frank has been married to his wife, Connie, for more than fifty years. They have one daughter, Linda, and four sons, Frank Jr., Tony, Bobby and James.

Today, Frank Baltazar is the Vice President of the California Boxing Hall of Fame and contributes his knowledge and history thru a variety of on-line boxing publications, most notably the "Classic American West Coast Boxing" thread of the Boxrec Forum.

The World Boxing Hall of Fame is honored to have Frank Baltazar the first recipient of the annual "Johnny Flores Youth Development Award" for his contribution to youth, boxing and the community.*