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

[Bill Paxtom]

Cruz Marcano

The 'talented' Venezuelan boxer that they called 'Crazy'.



A supposed 'undefeated' amateur career record of 79-0 with {43 KO's}, which
included numerous Tournament wins.

A can't miss prospect, who turned professional at {Age; 20 years, 5 months}
on August 19, 1966 under the guidance of Ramiro Machado.

In his 'Professional Debut', Crus flattened Modesto Santos by a KO 4.

Cruz would go on to defeat Modesto a total of '3-times' in his career.

By February 22, 1968 >

Cruz had compiled an 'unbeaten' record of > 12-0-2 with {9 KO's}, with 'spotty' Draws
with Julio Cesar Cordova and Edmundo Martinez.

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ February 23, 1968

Nuevo Circo ~ Caracas, Venezuela

* Cruz Marcano - 12-0-2 {9 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 124 lbs. ~ {Age; 21 years, 11 months}
vs.
* Rolando 'Jet' Parker - 21-3-3 {4 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 123 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 9 months}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

This was Cruz Marcano's 'big showcase' bout.

The highly-touted Venezuelan from Cumana was being promoted as a 'future' Featherweight
and Super-Featherweight Champion.

'El Loco' was Promoted by Ramiro Machado, and Trained by Heli Montes.

His opponent, was an equally talented fighter in, Filipino - Rolando 'Jet' Parker, a
fast-handed boxer with great 'hand-speed', technique and charisma.

'Jet' was the #2 Filipino Bantamweight, but was moving up to Featherweight.

It was a match-up between, a 'heavy-handed' puncher versus a 'lightning-quick' boxer.

An agreed upon weight of {124 lbs.} was set for the 10-Round bout.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Cruz Marcano Chases 'Jet' Parker in 10-Round Track Meet ~

'Highly-touted' Venezuelan - Cruz Marcano {126 lbs.} literally chased fleet-footed 'Jet' Parker {123 lbs.}
around the Nuevo Circo Ring for 10-Rounds, en-route to Unanimous 10-Rond Decision.

Marcano using constant pressure and heavy-hands, man-handled the little Filipino from the 3rd-Round
and on, and at times 'literally' chased the quick visitor around the square Ring.

'Jet' Parker, was able to score with quick left-jabs and right-hand leads during the first 2-Rounds over the
big-punching Venezuelan. But in Round 3, Parker waked into a big right-hook, and was nearly floored
'twice' in the Round.

From that point on, The Filipino was on his bicycle and avoided any exchanges with Marcano.

The Venezuelan tried to trap Parker in the Corner or on the Ropes many times, but the Filipino used
his quick moves and elusiveness to escape and survive the full-distance.

Scorecards
* 97-93 >
* 98-94 >
* 98-94 >

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ November 14, 1968

Nuevo Circo ~ Caracas, Venezuela

{#18 WBA} - Cruz Marcano ~ 16-0-2 {11 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 127 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 8 months}
vs.
{#10 WBC} - Silverio 'Chamaco' Ortiz- 53-15-7 {29 KO's} ~ 5' 7" ~ 127 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 1 month}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

This will be Cruz Marcano's most difficult and experienced opponent of his young career.

Silverio Ortiz is a dangerous-punching veteran from Merida, Mexico.

Silverio is now one the 'hottest' Featherweights in Mexico, as 'Chamaco' has gone 20-1-3
in his last 24-bouts dating back to January 1966.

Silverio is 'no stranger' to Caracas, Venezuela. As only 2-Months earlier he scored an impressive
win {TKO 5} over another 'touted' Venezuelan Featherweight in Freddie 'Cochoco' Rengifo.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ 'El Loco' Marcano Scores Win In 'Wild-Slugfest' Over Mexican Ortiz ~

Venezuelan Star - Cruz Marcano scored a solid 10-Round Decision win over the always tough Mexican
Silverio Ortiz.

Both fighters came in at the 127 lbs. and equal height {5' 7}, but that I where the similarities ended.

The Venezuelan had the heavier-hands, and jarred the 'steel-jawed' Mexican numerous times throughout
the 10-Round bout.

The fans at 'Nuevo Circo' got their moneys worth, as it was 'rock-em sock-em' bout, with both fighters
showing no regard for defense in many of the Rounds, as each exchanged at Center-Ring.

The middle-Rounds {5, 6 and 7} were especially 'wild', as both landed right-hand haymakers.

But it was 'El Loco' who kept coming over the last 3-Rounds, as the visiting veteran Mexican could not
match the power nor the speed of his younger opponent.

Scorecards
* 98-94 > {Cruz Marcano}
* 99-94 > {Cruz Marcano}
* 98-93 > {Cruz Marcano}

[Bill Paxtom]

December 1968

~ The Featherweights from Venezuela
__________________________________________________ ____________________

Cruz 'El Loco' Marcano

Born ............ March 14, 1946
Home Base .. Cumana, Venezuela
Age ............. 22 years, 9 months
Height ......... 5' 6 1/2"
Style ........... Aggressive Puncher
Record ........ 17-0-2 {11 KO's}
Ranking ...... #10 WBA

Considered by many, as the 'next' fighter to become World Champion
__________________________________________________ ____________________

Nestor 'Razzy' Rojas

Born ............ November 1, 1946
Age ............. 22 years, 1 month
Home Base .. Caracas, Venezuela
Height ......... 5' 7"
Style ........... Boxer Technician
Record ........ 18-5-1 {5 KO's}
Rank .......... {Not Rated}

Nestor Rojas has been a Professional since {1965}. Nestor holds a win {W Dec 8} over Antonio Cervantes
on > July 14, 1967 in Caracas, Venezuela.

Nestor lost {L Dec 10} to Antonio Cervantes on November 28, 1968.
__________________________________________________ _______________________________________

Jose Luis 'Pavito' Hernandez

Born ............ May 22, 1944
Age ............. 24 years, 6 months
Home Base .. Caracas, Venezuela {Federal District}
Height ......... 5' 6"
Style ........... Aggressive Puncher
Record ........ 20-1-1 {16 KO's}
Rank ........... #20 WBC

'Pavito' Hernandez was a great Amateur boxer who had compiled a record of 117-4 with {55 KO's}, before
turning Professional in June 1964.

But 'persistent' hand problems {bone fractures} stalled his Pro Career, as he only had '2-Bouts' over the
past 2-Years.

Jose Luis was Trained by Melquiades 'Tabuito' Sanz.
__________________________________________________ ________________________________________

Orlando 'Rando' Ruiz

Born ........... September 11, 1945
Age ............ 23 years, 2 months
Home Base .. Maracaibo, Venezuela
Height ......... 5' 8"
Style ........... Southpaw Boxer/Stylist
Record ........ 19-5-3 {4 KO's}
Rank ........... {Not Rated}

Orlando has been a Professional since 1964. The southpaw has been campaigning as a 130 lb. Super-Featherweight,
and has been fighting out of Miami Beach, Florida.

On a 'bad note', Orlando was clobbered {L KO 1} in the 1st-Round by Antonio Cervantes on November 25, 1968.
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________________

Orlando 'Red Viper' Rivas

Born ........... May 22, 1948
Age ............ 20 years, 6 Months
Home Base .. Caracas, Venezuela
Height ......... 5' 8"
Style ........... Fast Boxer ~ Defensive Specialist
Record ........ 11-1-1 {3 KO's}
Rank ........... {Not Rated}

Orlando has only been a Professional for less than 2-Years.
__________________________________________________ ______________________________

Francisco Bolivar

Born ........... May 24, 1940
Age ............ 28 years, 6 months
Home Base .. Caracas, Venezuela
Height ......... 5' 6 1/2"
Style ........... Aggressive Puncher/Boxer
Record ........ 46-7-1 {25 KO's}
Rank .......... #26 WBC

A 'smart-and-cagey' 9-Year Professional, who can either punch or box, depending on the opponent.
__________________________________________________ _______________________________________

Diego 'Chita' Tovar

Born ............ October 1, 1949
Age ............. 19 years, 3 months
Home Base .. Caracas, Venezuela
Height ......... 5' 7 1/2"
Style ............ Boxer / Counter-Puncher
Record ......... 11-0-0 {4 KO's}
Rank ........... {Not Rated}

A very fast-handed boxer. A 'highly-touted' Featherweight prospect from 'The Federal District' of Caracas.

Diego has not fought an 8-Rounder yet, and is being groomed at the Santa Teresa Boxing Club.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________________

Gustavo 'El Cerebro' Briceno

Born ............ November 3, 1947
Age ............. 21 years, 1 month
Home Base .. Caracas, Venezuela
Height ......... 5' 9"
Style ........... Pure Boxer
Record ........ 13-0-0 {1 KO}
Rank .......... {Not Rated}

A 'tall-and-lanky' pure boxer who is all box-and-jab, and no punch. Only a Pro for 1-Year.

This talented boxer scored an 'upset' {W Dec 8} over Antonio Gomez on November 4, 1968.
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________________

Freddie 'Cochocho' Rengifo

Born ............ January 10, 1945
Age ............. 23 years, 11 months
Home Base .. Caracas, Venezuela
Height ......... 5' 7"
Style ........... Boxer/Puncher
Record ........ 26-5-0 {12 KO's}
Rank .......... {Not Rated}

A generally good all-around boxer.

Things were going well for Freddie thru April 1967, as he had posted a record of 23-1-0, and was ranked
as the #4 Featherweight by 'Ring Magazine'.

Included were wins in 1966 over the following 'Top 10' World-Rated boxers;
* May 30 ......... Hiroshi Kobayashi
* July 3 ............ Carmelo Coscia
* October 17 .... Antonio Amaya
* December 16 .. Johnny Jamito

But, Freddie has only gone 3-5-0 in his last '8-Bouts', and has been stopped in all '5' losses.

On July 1, 1968 > Freddie took the #2 World-Rated Featherweight - Johnny Famechon '10' tough
Rounds before getting stopped by {L TKO 10}.
__________________________________________________ _______________________________

Pedro Gomez

Born ............ December 3, 1941
Age ............. 26 years, 11 months
Home Base .. Cumana, Venezuela
Height ......... 5' 6"
Style ........... Boxer/Puncher
Record ........ 23-1-2 {12 KO's}
Rank .......... #2 WBA

Pedro Gomez is the older brother of Antonio Gomez.

Pedro is a 'great' boxer, and a good puncher. He is a 'Top 2' World-Rated Featherweight, and is also the
Venezuelan Featherweight Champion.

Back on July 27, 1968 ..... "Pedro Gomez Signs Fight Pact"

Boxing Matchmaker - Mickey Davies of the 'Olympic Auditorium' in Los Angeles has signed Pedro Gomez
up to fight the winner of the upcoming WBA Championship Bout between Champion - Raul Rojas and
Japanese Challenger - Shozo Saijo scheduled for August 1968.

Mickey Davies said that he had plans to match the winner of the Rojas-Saijo Championship Bout with
Pedro Gomez for early-Fall 1968 at the 'Olympic Auditorium', or the 'Sports Arena'.

Rafito Cedene {Advisor for Pedro Gomez} stated that his fighter was anxious for the Title challenge.
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________

Antonio Gomez ~ 'El Leon de Cumana'

Born ............ September 7, 1945
Age ............. 23 years, 2 months
Home Base .. Cumana, Venezuela
Height ......... 5' 6"
Style ........... Boxer - Defensive Specialist
Record ........ 18-2-0 {7 KO's}
Rank .......... {Not Rated}

Antonio Gomez, the younger brother for Pedro Gomez.

At the time, Antonio was primarily a 'one-arm' boxer, using his right-hand as his primary weapon.
But, Antonio was a 'defensive-specialist', as he was both elusive and quick.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________________

Alfredo Marcano

Born ............ January 17, 1947
Age ............. 21 years, 10 Months
Home Base .. Cumana, Venezuela
Height ......... 5' 5 1/2"
Style ........... Aggressive Boxer/Puncher
Record ........ 23-2-3 {17 KO's}
Rank ........... #12 WBA {Super-Featherweight}

Alfredo is a muscular and solid punching fighter. Alfredo has bounced between Featherweight {126 lbs.}
and Super-Featherweight {130 lbs.}.

Alfredo is coming off '3-Straight' wins over a few of the 'Top' Colombian Featherweights.
* July 14, 1968 ......... TKO 6 ......... Bernardo Caraballo
* October 6, 1968 ...... KO 6 .......... Enrique Higgins
* October 28, 1968 .... W Dec 10 ... Antonio Herrera
__________________________________________________ _________________________________________

Carlos 'Morocho' Hernandez

Born ............ April 22, 1939
Age ............. 29 years, 7 months
Home Base .. Caracas, Venezuela
Height ......... 5' 10"
Style ........... Aggressive Boxer/Puncher
Record ........ 50-9-4 {36 KO's}
Rank ........... #2 WBA {Lightweight}

Carlos Hernandez is the former World Super-Lightweight Champion {January 18, 1965 - thru - April 29, 1966}.

Carlos has stated that he was campaigning as a Lightweight, and would even drop down to 130 lbs., if he
could 'lock down' a World Title bout.
__________________________________________________ _________________________________________

Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes

Born ............... December 23, 1945
Age ................ 22 years, 11 months
Home Base ..... Maracay, Venezuela {By way of Cartagena, Colombia}
Height ............ 5' 9"
Style .............. Boxer - Stylist
Record ........... 42-5-3 {12 KO's}
Rank .............. #10 WBA Super-Featherweight

Antonio Cervantes left Cartagena, Colombia for Maracay, Venezuela on November 6, 1968.

At the time, Antonio was the Colombian Featherweight Champion, but was having difficulty
making 126 lbs.

Antonio turned Professional in January 1964 {Age; 18 years, 1 month}.

But there has been some question about Antonio's true age, as some have stated that he is 3-Years
older, and has had an additional '25-Bouts' on his record, where he went 22-2-1 with {9 KO's}.

That would put Antonio at {Age; 26 years old}, and put his record at 64-7-4 with {21 KO's}.

At the urging of Venezuelan Businessman and Fight Promoter/Manager - Ramiro Machado, Antonio
moved to Venezuela and immediately was hooked up with Trainer - Melquiades 'Tabaquita' Sanz.

After only 3-Weeks, Antonio has had '2' quick bouts in Caracas, and only 3-Days apart >
* November 25, 1968 ....... KO 1 ......... Orlando Ruiz
* November 28, 1968 ...... W Dec 10 ... Nestor Rojas

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ December 20, 1968

Nuevo Circo ~ Caracas, Venezuela

Attendance ..... { 9300 } 'Sell Out'

~ The Night That Cruz Marcano Destroyed Antonio Cervantes ~

"Main Event"

Carlos Hernandez vs. Ray Adigun ~ 'Lightweight Battle'
-----------------------------------------------------------

'Main Undercard'

Cruz Marcano - 17-0-2 {11 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ Reach; 68" ~ 127 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 9 months}
vs.
Antonio Cervantes - 42-5-3 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 9" ~ Reach; 72" ~ 129 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 0 months}

~ The Skinny ~

Cruz 'El Loco' Marcano was Trained by Ely Montes. Cruz was being proclaimed as the 'best' of the
big group of competing Venezuelan Featherweights in boxing.

Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes {Colombia} was now based out of Maracay, Venezuela. 'Kid Pambele'
was ranked as the #10 WBA Super-Featherweight, and was Trained by Venezuelan - Melquiades
'Tabaquito' Sanz.

The bout was a simple match-up between 'A pure puncher versus a stylist boxer'.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Bout ~

Round 1 >

Both fighters met at Center-Ring, and surprisingly Cervantes was willing to trade with Cruz. It was a
'mistake', as after 25-Seconds Antonio was sent flying backwards after eating a 'left-right' to the head.

Cruz then moved in, and bombarded a 'surprised' Antonio with a savage volley of punches, dropping him
on his right-side at the {0:40 Mark}.

Antonio was up at the '4-Count', and was ready to continue,. Surprisingly, Cruz did not attack and instead
laid back and 'asked' Antonio to hit him by yelling > "Hit me blackie."

Cruz even backed up into a Corner, and let Antonio hit him by lowering his arms by his side. Antonio obliged,
and moved in, and using his 4" reach advantage fired in 'triple' left-jabs followed by straight right-hands to the
head.

This scenario played out for the rest of Round 1. And over the last {1:30} span, Antonio out-punched Cruz by
a punch count of '52 to 'none'.

Round 1 ......... {10-9} > Cruz Marcano
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Corner between Rounds > Trainer - Ely Montes was all over Cruz Marcano for letting Cervanes off the hook,
after 'dropping' him, and then allowing Cervantes to get back into the fight by letting the Colombian hit him at will.

Round 2 >

Again Cruz came out to Center-Ring and threw a few 'bombs', and then backed away at the {0:25 Mark}. Again,
'El Loco' dropped his hands and let Cervantes hit him.

Antion again obliged, and fired away with fast '2-and-3' punch combinations. Each time the Cervantes connected,
Cruz would yell > "Hit me harder Black."

It was the same scenario for the rest of the Round, as Cruz again backed into a Corner and let 'Kid Pambele' hit
him at will.

Round 2 ....... {10-9} > Antonio Cervantes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 3

Just when you think things couldn't get any crazier, they did.

Cruz came out to Center-Ring with his hands down b his side, and he let Cervantes have a free reign. Each time
that Antonio connected with a combination, Cruz would start yelling >
"Hit me Black. Kill me, because if you do not Kill me, I will kill you."

Again, Cervantes hit Marcano with nearly every punch he threw. And again, Cruz took all the punches without
offering up nary a return.

Round 3 ....... {10-9} > Antonio Cervantes
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Called the 'Historic 4th'

Round 4

Both fighters met at Center-Ring, and immediately Cruz dropped his hands and backed up into a Neutral-Corner.

Antonio moved forward, and started to unload with everything he had. Antonio then rained 'left-right' combinations
all over Cruz, as the Venezuelan was backed up in the Corner for a 'full-minute'.

Then Cruz Marcano yelled at Cervantes >
"Kill me Black. If you don't, I will kill you. I Love You."

Antonio had let go with everything he had, but the punches did not effect Cruz Marcano in the least bit.

Then suddenly, Antonio started to slow down significantly, as he had 'punched-himself-out'.

Then in a flash 'El Loco' came out of the Neutral-Corner with an explosion, and nailed
Cervantes with a solid 'right-left' to the head, and a hard left-hook to the body at the {1:10 Mark}.

Antonio then turned away {side-ways} to his right in obvious pain, and lowered his arms by his sides, as he
was both 'gassed-out' and-stunned.

Cruz then jumped all over Antonio, and pummeled him with a 'two-fisted' barrage, driving him to the canvas
with a 'volley-of-punches' to the head.

The Referee counted out Antonio Cervantes at {1:34} of Round 4.

[Bill Paxtom]

January 1969

Cruz 'El Loco' Marcano

The hard-punching and 'crazy' Venezuelan was riding an 'unbeaten' record of
18-0-2 with {12 KO's} following the destruction {KO 4} of Antonio Cervantes on
December 23, 1968 in Caracas, Venezuela.

It was a most talked about win in Venezuela.


~ Ring Magazine Ratings ~

*** 'vacant'
#1 . Jose Legra
#2 . Johnny Famechon
#3 . Shozo Saijo
#4 . Fighting Harada
#5 . Dwight Hawkins
#6 . Jose Jiminez
#7 . Bobby Valdez
#8 . Howard Winstone
#9 . Cruz Marcano
#10. Raul Rojas