(L-R: Jose Torres; Lou Gordon, Jim Simpson, Bruce E. Ventimiglia, Jose Torres, Sigourney Weaver)

A note from Lou Gordon, BALCONY director:

Jose Torres, the former light heavyweight champ, passed away yesterday at his home in Puerto Rico. Jose was a friend of BALCONY and a personal friend. He was an inspiring and humble man who volunteered to help us. When BALCONY in 2006 sought to create a PSA to inform those who volunteered and worked on clean up following 9/11, “Chegui” was there for us. Watch the PSA. Following are two poignant articles by journalists Mike Lupica and Bill Gallo of the New York Daily News. We will all miss Jose Torres … he will always be “The Champ”.

Boxing’s renaissance man Jose Torres commanded ring & respect

by Mike Lupica

Jose Torres was so much more than just a prizefighter, even if that is how the world first knew him. He became the first Latino columnist in town, at least in an English-language paper, when he was put to work at the old New York Post.

Read the full article: Torres

A fine fighter and fellow, Jose Torres won a title and lots of friends

by Bill Gallo

Jose Torres, better known by his friends as “Chegui,” died of a heart attack on Monday. He was 72. The generous and fighting heart of this popular man gave out at his home with his wife of 48 years, Ramonita, by his side.

Read the full article: Torres