STORY OF PHILIPPINE BOXING PART XII: ROBERTO CRUZ, THE FIRST FILIPINO WORLD LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 13 Apr 2020
Roberto Cruz, born November 21, 1941 in Baguio City, won the WBA world light welterweight title. He has 44 total fights as a professional garnering 29 wins with 12 KO victories, 12 losses with 3 defeats by KO and 3 draws per Boxrec.com.
Cruz made his professional debut on February 10, 1955, but lost to Laureano Llarenas by decision in a four rounder. He was defeated again in the second bout and finally got his first victory in his third fight winning over Peping Cortez with a third round knockout.
Cruz won a title in October 1, 1959 by defeating Leo Espinosa via twelve round decision and grabbed the Philippine Games & Amusement Board (GAB) Philippine featherweight title.
He also won the GAB Philippine welterweight title by winning over Rocky Kalingo via unanimous decision in April 26, 1962. He also fought non-title bouts thereafter and was defeated five times in twelve bouts.
In March 21, 1963, Cruz travelled to the United States for his first fight outside the Philippines. He faced Mexican boxer Battling Torres for the vacant WBA light welterweight title.
The fight venue was the Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles. Cruz was part of a championship triple-header which also featured Emile Griffith fighting Luis Manuel Rodriguez for the WBA and WBC world welterweight title and Sugar Ramos facing Davey Moore for the WBA and WBC featherweight title.
Cruz, who was the underdog that time, knocked Torres out in the first round to win the title. Torres was heavily favored to win, in fact he was selected by the Ring Magazine in its list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. But the night just belonged to the Filipino new world champion.
However, Cruz's upset of Torres was engulfed by the shocking news of the sudden collapse, then hospitalization and subsequent death of Moore after his fight with Ramos.
For his first title defense, Cruz fought again in the Philippines this time against American Eddie Perkins on June 15, 1963. Perkins, a former world champion, won the fight and wrested the title with a fifteen round decision before 25,000 spectators at the Rizal Baseball Stadium.
Cruz did not fare well since the start as he was knocked down in the first round and was badly battered in the third and sixth rounds. He was able to finish the fight, but the verdict was a clear defeat for the champion as he failed to retain his title. He was not able to fight for a world championship again.
Cruz's last fight as a professional happened on September 28, 1968 in Angeles City, where he suffered a knock out in the third round inflected by Fel Pedranza.
Cruz was the first Filipino world light welterweight/super lightweight champion.
He also finished his professional career with a record of 1-1 with 1 KO in world title fights.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino IM Bagamasbad prevails
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024DC girl’s futsal in Palawan now
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu is ready to face challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Dante Kirkman Secures First Career Knockout with 3rd Round TKO Victory
Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino Middleweight Star Blazen Rocili Set to Return to the Ring This Saturday in San Antonio, TX
Thu, 21 Nov 2024