Carlos Cruz (boxer)
| Carlos Teo Cruz | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Carlos Teófilo Rosario Cruz |
| Rated at | Lightweight |
| Nationality | Dominican |
| Born |
November 24, 1937 Dominican Republic |
| Died | February 15, 1970 (aged 32) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 58 |
| Wins | 43 |
| Wins by KO | 14 |
| Losses | 13 |
| Draws | 2 |
For the basketball player with a similar name, see Teófilo Cruz
Carlos Teo Cruz (November 4, 1937 - February 15, 1970) was a boxer from the Dominican Republic. Cruz was world lightweight champion from 1968 to 1970.
Cruz claimed he didn't put on his first pair of boxing gloves until his 20th birthday. He fought as an amateur from 1957–1959, posting a 14-3 record.
Cruz's father, Francisco Rosario Almonte was an army officer in the Dominican military. Cruz met his wife, Mildred Ortiz in the town of Río Piedras in Puerto Rico. They were married in 1961 when Ortiz was 24 years old. Cruz had two children; Carlos, Jr. (born 1962)who has four children, Bradely Cruz (born 1990) Clifford Allen Cruz & Clifton Allen Cruz ( born 1992 ),Brandon Miguel Cruz (born 1996 ), and Hermina (born 1963) having 2 children Alexis Tatia Cruz ( born 1998 ) and Bryant Lope Cruz ( born 2000) . Cruz's younger brother, Leo Cruz, went on to become a world champion.
He started his career as a professional boxer with a loss, being defeated by decision in eight rounds by Juan José Jiménez, October 23 of 1959 in Santo Domingo. His first win came on December 3 of that year, also in Santo Domingo, with a ten round decision win over Rafael Acevedo.
After one more win in Santo Domingo, he moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico. There, he posted a record of 7 wins and 2 losses before returning to Santo Domingo in 1962. Out of the 7 wins in Puerto Rico during that era, 5 were by knockout. In his return to Santo Domingo, he posted a decision win over Acevedo in a rematch. Towards the end of 1962, he started campaigning in the United States, particularly in New York. There, he boxed 5 times before returning to San Juan for another bout. He won 4 and drew 1 of those fights, all wins by decision.
He spent the first half of 1964 touring Australia, where he won 2 fights and lost one. He lost on points to Graham Dicker in Brisbane, stopped Guizani Rezgui in Sydney and outpointed Gilberto Biondi in Melbourne. Then he returned to Latin America, his first fight after arriving in Australia being a major step up in quality of opposition for him: In Caracas, he met fellow world champion boxer Carlos Morocho Hernández. He was knocked out in four rounds by Hernandez. On to Panama City, where he lost a ten round decision to Julio Ruiz. He finished his year by beating Marcos Morales the best boxer of Puerto Rico in this time in Santo Domingo .
...
Wikipedia