Cruz Marcano ~ The Boxer that they called 'El Loco"

[Bill Paxtom]

1969

Cruz 'El Loco' Marcano

Following the 'impressive' deciphering { KO 4} of Antonio Cervantes on December 20, 1968
> 'El Loco' became an instant legend in Venezuela, and both Central and South America.

Even in Los Angeles and New York, there was interest in bringing this 'Crazy Venezuelan'
to America.

Now with a record of 18-0-2 {12 KO's}, Cruz Marcano was > 'the most talked about Venezuelan boxer'.

The 'Word' was > He destroyed the Great Colombian - 'Kid Pambele'.
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But, Manager/Trainer - Ely Montes wanted his fighter to get a few more bouts under his
belt against some veteran fighters, before going for a bout in America under the 'bright lights'.

So, Ely Montes set Cruz Marcano up '2' bouts at the Nuevo Circo in Caracas, Venezuala.

* February 10, 1969 ....... vs. Antonio Herrera

Antonio Herrera was a 30 year-old {10-Year Pro} veteran from Cartagena, Colombia. The former
#1 WBA Featherweight {December 1967} brought in a fine record of 47-11-5 with {7 KO's}.

The 'all-box' Colombian was now a fading boxer, as Antonio had lost '5-Straight', including his chance
at the World Featherweight Championship {December 14, 1967} when he lost to Raul Rojas.

The Result ........ Cruz Marcano {W Dec 10} over Antonio Herrera

News Reports stated >

That Cruz dominated the bout, and had the light-punching 'cagey boxer' backing away and fighting
defensively all night.

Antonio Herrera did display some effective offense in Rounds 1, 5 and 6, but in the majority of the
Rounds, the Colombian was forced to use his tight-defense to stay away from the hard-punching
Venezuelan.

Cruz won '7' of the Rounds, Antonio Herrera earned '1' Round, and with '2' Even, as Cruz Marcano
won an easy and convincing 10-Round Decision.
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* March 14, 1969 ......... vs. Francisco Bolivar

Francisco Bolivar, a 10-Year Venezuelan veteran. Francisco {Age 28 years, 10 months} brings in a
record of 47-7-1 with {25 KO's}.

Francisco is a 'tough veteran boxer', and is by no way an easy mark.

The Result .......... Cruz Marcano {W Dec 10} over Francisco Bolivar

News Reports stated >

Cruz Marcano was given a tough opponent in veteran Franciso Bolivar. The 'veteran' was not
intimidated by the young Marcano's vaunted punching-power, and Francisco smartly stayed
in close, and did not allow Cruz the room to wail away.

But, it was Cruz Marcano who did display the harder punching, as Franciso could not match
the younger fighters strength especially during the middle-Rounds.

Cruz turned a 'close bout' in his favor during Rounds 6, 7 and 8 > as he was doing all of
the effective punching.

The Scorecards >
* 97-95 {5-3-2 in Rounds} > Cruz Marcano
* 97-94 {6-3-1 in Rounds} > Cruz Marcano
* 97-95 {5-3-2 in Rounds} > Cruz Marcano