Orlando Canizales is an American boxer who won the International Boxing Federation bantamweight title and defended it for a record sixteen consecutive times….as Canizales turned professional in 1984 and was undefeated in twelve fights before meeting the 1984 Olympic gold medalist Paul Gonzalez in 1986. Gonzalez defeated him over twelve rounds….but Canizales rebounded from that defeat on July 9, 1988 when he won the IBF bantamweight title by knocking out defending titlist Kelvin Seabrooks in the fifteenth round. He defended the title a division-record of sixteen consecutive times….and his victims included old foe Paul Gonzalez….former flyweight champion Rolando Bohol….British champion0 Billy Hardy….and future champion Clarence “Bones” Adams. In January 1995, Canizales attempted to win a title in the junior featherweight division….but World Boxing Association champion Wilfredo Vazquez prevented him from doing so by winning a twelve-round split decision. He continued fighting until 1999, when future champion Frank Toledo defeated him via ten-round split decision….retiring after that loss.
He was born in Laredo in South Texas….where 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….as both brothers obtained the title of world boxing champion at the same age and weight.The Orlando & Gaby Canizales Boxing Gym and Community Center on Guadalupe Street in Laredo is named in honor of the boxing brothers. The facility was expanded in 2014.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on July 14, 2009….and with his parents watching….an emotional Orlando Canizales delivered a heartfelt speech….saying “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.”
In this video….the viewer gets to watch Orlando Canizales when he was just getting started in his professional career….as you can see a buding champion of the future.
