Tony Baltazar
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Tony Baltazar (born 1967) 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.
A native of La Puente, California, Baltazar now resides in Phoenix. 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.
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 travelling constantly to Rochester, Minnesota for treatment. In between, Baltazar organized a foundation that helps grow funds for kids with that disease. After constant improvement and fall backs, Baltazar's little son passed away in 2001, at the age of 6. In memory of his son, Baltazar has kept the foundation on working, 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. 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.
It should be pointed out also that, Baltazar and Camacho have also become friends outside the ring with the years.