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

Canizales who is ofMexican descent was born inLaredo, the seat ofWebb County inSouth Texas. There he began training at the age of ten at theBoys and Girls Clubs of America. He is the younger brother of fellow bantamweight world championGaby Canizales. Both brothers obtained the title of world boxing champion at the same age and weight.^[2]

Canizales turned professional in 1984 and was undefeated in twelve fights (one fight was a draw) before meeting the 1984 Olympic gold medalistPaul Gonzales in 1986. Gonzales defeated him over twelve rounds. Canizales rebounded from that defeat, however, and on July 9, 1988, he won theIBF bantamweight title by knocking out defending titlistKelvin Seabrooks in the fifteenth round. He tied the division record for consecutive title defences at 15 set byManuel Ortiz.^[3] His victims included old foe Gonzales, formerflyweight championRolando Bohol, British championBilly 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 thejunior featherweight division.World Boxing Association championWilfredo Vazquez prevented him from doing so, winning a twelve-round split decision.

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

He was inducted into theInternational 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.^[2]

• Boxing record for Orlando Canizales fromBoxRec(registration required)
• Dog House Boxing interviewArchived 2011-10-09 at theWayback Machine

• 1965 births
• Living people
• Bantamweight boxers
• World bantamweight boxing champions
• International Boxing Federation champions
• International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees
• American people of Mexican descent
• Sportspeople of Mexican descent
• Sportspeople from Laredo, Texas
• Boxers from Houston
• World boxing champions
• American male boxers
• 20th-century American sportsmen

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