The boxing legend Jose Torres, the former world light-heavyweight champion, passed away earlier today from a heart attack.

Torres retired with a record of 41-3-1 with 29 knockouts, posting wins over notable fighters Bobo Olson, Eddie Cotton and Wilbert McClure. Torres, who won 41 of 45 professional encounters, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in 1997.

Torres began fighting when he joined the U.S. Army as a teenager, and won a silver medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics while competing for the United States.

Most of Torres' 45 pro fights took place in The US and at the age of 26 Torres captured the Puerto Rican middleweight title.

Torres lived a full life after his career, serving as head of NYSAC, president of the World Boxing Organization (1993-95).

The former champ returned to live full time in Puerto Rico in 2007, and it was at home there in Ponce where the 72-year-old died of heart failure earlier.

David Bernier, president of the U.S. territory's Olympic committee, said in an interview with radio station WKAQ that they lost a great person.

Puerto Rico has lost a great Puerto Rican, a very valiant person who aside from being a great athlete was a great human being.

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