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

[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}
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~ 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.
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~ '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}