Manny Santos (boxer)

Manoel "Manny" Santos (11 October 1940 – 2 December 2013) was a Tongan-born New Zealand professional light/light welterweight boxer of the 1960s and 1970s.

Early life and family
Santos was born in Tonga on 11 October 1940. His father, also called Manoel Santos, had a Portuguese father and a Tongan mother, and served with the Māori Battalion during World War II. Santos Snr and his family emigrated from Tonga to Auckland, New Zealand, in 1957.

Boxing career
Santos won the New Zealand Boxing Association lightweight title, the Australasian Light welterweight title, and the British Commonwealth lightweight title. He was a challenger for the Australasian lightweight title against Hector Thompson. His professional fighting weight varied from 133+1/4 lb, i.e. lightweight, to 138+1/4 lb, i.e. light welterweight.

Death
Santos died in Auckland on 2 December 2013, and was buried at Manukau Memorial Gardens.