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

[Bill Paxtom]

April 1969

~ Sport Grafico ~

Articles about >
* Pedro Gomez {Venezuelan Featherweight}
* Mickey Mantle {New York Yankees Baseball Player}
* Cruz Marcano {Venezuelan Featherweight}

The article on Cruz Marcano >

Discusses the vaunted punching-power of 'El Loco', and his Trainer - Ely Montes.

Also, mentioned Cruz Marcano's upcoming bout with #2 Mexican Featherweight
Aurelio Muniz, set for April 19th in Mexico City, Mexico.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ April 19, 1969

Arena Coliseo ~ Mexico City, Mexico

{#7 WBA} - Cruz Marcano ~ 20-0-2 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 127 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 1 month}
vs.
{#6 WBC} - Aurelio Muniz ~ 34-2-1 {17 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 127 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 7 months}
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Cruz Marcano, is having his '1st-Bout' outside of Venezuela. The 23 year-old 'bomber' has now
moved up to the #7 WBA Featherweight, as well as #7 Ring Magazine

Aurelio Muniz is an excellent boxer/puncher from Tamaulipas, Mexico. Aurelio also was the
Mexican Featherweight Champion from > August 4, 1967 thru October 20, 1967.

Aurelio is Managed by George Hughes, who thinks that his fighter has the 'right style' to
handle Cruz Marcano.

Besides '1' early career loss, the only other fighter to defeat Aurelio was World-Rated
Vicente Garcia for the Mexican Featherweight Championship.

Aurelio is ranked as the #6 WBC Featherweight, and is ranked at #6 Ring Magazine.
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~ Cruz Marcano Smooth In Mexico, Decisions Aurelio Muniz ~

Cruz Marcano fighting in front of a partisan Mexico City crowd, scored an impressive 10-Round
Decision over 'tough' Aurelio Muniz in a 10-Round Featherweight bout.

The 'highly-touted' Venezuelan got off to a fast start, as he used a variety of 'lefts-and-rights' to
keep the hard-charging Mexican off of him during the first-half of the bout.

Marcano also exhibited a 'tight-defense' and solid chin, as he was not affected by Muniz' hard hooks
to the head during Rounds 6 and 7.

Marcano put the 'icing-on-the-cake' in Round 8, when he caught Muniz with a volley of head-blows,
dropping the Mexican for a '3-Count'.

The 'tough-and durable' Mexican fought back hard after the Knockdown, and presented himself well
over the last 2-Rounds as well.

Scorecards
* 97-94 > {5-3-2 in Rounds} = Cruz Marcano
* 97-93 > {6-3-1 in Rounds} = Cruz Marcano
* 96-93 > {6-4-0 in Rounds} = Cruz Marcano






'

[Bill Paxtom]

May 8, 1969

~ Ring Magazine Ratings ~

*** Johnny Famechon ... {WBC Champion}
#1 . Shozo Saijo ........... {WBA Champion}
#2 . Jose Legra
#3 . Dwight Hawkins
#4 . Cruz Marcano
#5 . Fighting Harada
#6 . Jose Jiminez
#7 . Felipe Torres
#8 . Fernando Sotelo
#9 . Howard Winstone
#10. Raul Rojas
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May 22, 1969

Manager/Promoter - Ramiro Machado discussing his fighter- Cruz 'El Loco' Marcano >

We were nervous taking Cruz to Mexico City on April 19th. We were fighting in front of a partisan crowd
of 10,000 Mexicans.

That kid {Aurelio Muniz} was a tough Featherweight, and he was ranked {1} notch above us at #6 Ring Magazine.
We had to take the fight, if we wanted to move up in the World Ratings

I just told the 'Promoters' in Mexico that I wanted a 'fair scoring' of the bout, and nothing less. Otherwise I
would never bring back another Venezuelan fighter there, ever.

Well, Cruz fought a great fight, and we got a 'fair' officials scoring of the bout. I told Cruz to fight 'El Loco'
over the first 5-Rounds to build up a points lead, and to take the Mexican crowd out of the fight. And, he
did just that, as Cruz won the first 5-Rounds.

From that point on, he fought 'cagey smart', and even dropped him {Aurelio Muniz} in Round 8. He then
fought defensively over the last 2-Rounds, but Cruz still won by a comfortable-margin.

[Bill Paxtom]

June 6, 1969

Nuevo Circo ~ Caracas, Venezuela

{#4} - Cruz Marcano ~ 21-0-2 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 129 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 3 months}
vs.
{#14} - Bobby Valdez ~ 22-7-4 {8 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 129 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 6 months}
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Cruz Marcano has now moved up to the #4 World Ranked Featherweight. A win here,
and Cruz has a date set for him in Los Angeles for August.

Bobby Valdez, a stylish-boxer from San Diego, California. Only 5-Months ago, Bobby
was slotted as the #5 World-Ranked Featherweight.

But, back-to-back losses to {L TKO 6} Felipe Torres on January 13, 1969 - and a
{L Dec 10} to Godfrey Stevens on April 19, 1969 ~ has dropped the California Featherweight
down to the #14 Featherweight.
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~ Cruz Marcano Chases, Scores Decision Over 'Speedy' Bobby Valdez ~

Venezuelan - Cruz Marcano fighting in front off 8000 home-country supporters at the Nuevo Circo
chased all noght in trying to catch California Featherweight 'Speedy' Bobby Valdez.

After losing the 1st-Round, Marcano took control in Round 2 when he staggered Valdez with a
left-hook to the jaw, and had him wobbly. Marcano then literally chased the Californian around
the Ring, in attempt to unload his heavy-fists.

By the 5th Round, Marcano became frustrated, and threw his arms 'up-in-the-air', and yelled at his
American opponent > "C'mon, lets fight".

The fast, but light-hitting Valdez stayed on his wheels, and circled about on the outside, and away
from the Venezuelan.

Marcano spent most of the bout moving in, and trying to dish out combinations. But the Venezuelan
had to take what was available, and was only able to score with left-jabs, or an occasional wide-sweeping
hook.

Scorecards >
* 98-94 = {6-2-2 in Rounds} = Cruz Marcano
* 99-94 = {6-1-3 in Rounds} = Cruz Marcano
* 98-93 = {7-2-1 in Rounds} = Cruz Marcano

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ June 6, 1969

Nuevo Circo 'New Circus' ~ Caracas, Venezuela

#3 ~ Cruz Marcano - 22-0-2 {13 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 129 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 3 months}
vs.
{NR} ~ Pedro Rodriguez - 19-6-1 {9 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 130 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 1 month}
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~ The Skinny ~

Cruz 'El Loco' Marcano will take on another tough Mexican Featherweight. Cruz has won
'4-Straight' by 10-Round Decision, and there are 'rumblings' about his power {or lake there of}.

Pedro Rodriguez is a Los-Angeles based Featherweight. Pedro is a gritty 'club-fighter' who is
known for his durability and toughness. As, he has only been stopped {by cuts} once
in '26-Bouts' over a 5-Year career.

Pedro went 10-Rounds with WBA Featherweight Champion - Shozo Saijo only 2-Months earlier,
on April 14th.
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~ Cruz Marcano Remains Undefeated, Defeats Pedro Rodriguez ~

Cruz Marcano won an 'easy' and one-sided 10-Round Decision over a game but out-classed
Pedro Rodriguez of Los Angeles, California.

The 'talented' and World-Rated Venezuelan won the first 6-Rounds of the bout by scoring with
left-hooks and jolting right-hands into his tough but limited opponent.

With the bout well under control, 'El Loco' played to the crowd of { 8700 } in the Nuevo Circo
Arena, by dancing with his hands-up-in-the-air, and blowing kisses to the crowd over the last
4-Rounds, as his opponent was perplexed by the display.

Scorecards
* 99-94 > {6-1-3 in Rounds}
* 100-94 >{6-0-4 in Rounds}
* 99-93 > {7-1-2 in Rounds}

Cruz Marcano >
"I knew that I had the bout won after the 6th Round, so I decided to have a little fun by going
'El Loco' in he Ring."

"I was not trying to embarrass Pedro. I only wanted to entertain the spectators."

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ August 15, 1969

Nuevo Circo 'New Circus' ~ Caracas, Venezuela

* Cruz Marcano - 23-0-2 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 128 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 5 months}
vs.
* Alfredo Marcano - 28-3-3 {19 KO's} ~ 5' 5" ~ 129 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 7 months}
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~ The Skinny ~

A battle between 'two' of the Top Venezuelan Featherweights, as well as '2' World Rated Boxers.

Both fighters are named 'Marcano', and both fighters are from Cumana, Venezuela.

This highly-anticipated 10-Round Bout is billed as ~ The Match of the Marcano's ~

Cruz, is rated by Ring Magazine as the #4 Featherweight. Cruz is a '5' 7" boxer-puncher,
who has 'heavy-hands'. He also has a very good defense with a 'rock-hard' chin.

Alfredo, is rated by Ring Magazine as the #8 Super-Featherweight. Alfredo is a muscular
and powerfully built fighter in a short frame {5' 4 1/2"}. Alfredo, can 'whack' with his
style, which resembles a 'Mason' smacking bricks.
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~ 'Fight Of The Year' ~

~ Cruz Marcano and Alfredo Marcano Battle To Draw ~

In one of the 'wildest shoot-outs' ever seen, two of Venezuela's top boxers > Cruz Marcano and Alfredo Marcano
battled to a 10-Round Draw.

In the early going, it looked like Alfredo would blow 'El Loco' out of the Ring, as the Alfredo {better technician} gave
Cruz an old-fashioned boxing-lesson.

Alfredo scored with accurate left-jabs and short right-hands to the chin, to rattle the 'Crazy Marcano' time and
again, while sending Cruz back in his heels. Alfredo swept Rounds 1, 2 and 3 > as he out-hit his opponent
4-to-1.

In Round 4, it was an 'all-out slugfest', as both boxers stood at Center-Ring and went toe-to-toe, slamming
each other with both 'body blows' and hooks to the head. Neither fighter gave ground, in a near 3-Minute
'non-stop' war of wills.

In Round 5, it was Alfredo who got back in control, as he stayed 'inside-and-close' at Center-Ring and worked
on Cruz's mid-section with repeated body-smashes. Cruz could not the distance to utilize his longer reach,
where he could whip-in-punches, and was forced to block and stay on the defensive.

By the end of Round 5, Alfredo had built up a 'wide' 4-Point lead on the Scorecards.

Round 6 went off the same way for Alfredo, as he again he got inside Cruz, and battered away at his taller
opponent's mid-section.

But just past the {2:00 Mark}., Cruz opened up and caught Alfredo with a 'right-left' to the head that sent
him stumbling backwards. Then, Cruz went on an 'all-out assault' and pummeled away on Alfredo as he was
sent into the left-side Ropes and took a pounding until the Bell.

In Round 7 > Cruz had it going all his way, and scored with repeated 'one-two' punches to Alfredo's head.
And then when Alfredo brought up his hands to cover his face and head, Cruz dug low with left-hooks into
the rib-cage. Basically, Alfredo 'ran'.

In Round 8 > Cruz continued to put the offensive-pressure on Alfredo, and worked away with 'one-two'
combinations over the first {1:00}.

But Alfredo was not about to give away the large Points lead that he had built up earlier. And, by the {1:10 Mark},
Alfredo's head had cleared, and by the {1:30 Mark} he was fighting back by sending in some heavy-blows to the body.

At the {1:45 Mark} it turned into an 'All-Out War', as both fighters were slamming each other at Center-Ring with
their best punches. Each fighter was 'rocked', but neither gave in as they went 'non-stop' over the last minute
of Round 8.

The Nuevo Circo Arena of { 9500 } roared with cheers and the 'sell-out' full-house gave a rousing standing
ovation for both fighters at the end of the Round.

Coming out for Round 9 {Cruz Marcano} was behind 1-or-2 Points.

Immediately, Cruz started jabbing away at Alfredo's head. On the other side, Alfredo was literally 'running'
and staying on the outside, as he was trying to protect his points lead and 'run-out-the-bout'.

While this was happening > Cruz was yelling at Alfedo > "Kill me. Hit me, don't run. Come on 'Fredo', hit me."
Alfredo continued to chase Alfredo for nearly the entire Round 9.
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In the 'Final Round' > Cruz Marcano again went after Alfredo. And over the first {1:20}, Alfredo stayed
away from exchanging and boxed from 'way' outside.

Then it turned into a War !!

Cruz was finally able to 'trap' Alfredo on the back-Ropes, and he let go with a 'blistering' 11-punch barrage that
'stunned' Alfredo at the {1:35 Mark}.

Just as it seemed that Cruz would put a 'hurting' on Alfredo, he made the 'mistake' of leaving himself 'wide open'.
Then Alfredo countered with a hard 'left-hook/right-hook' to the body, that took the wind out of Cruz.

Alfredo then added in a right to the head, and Cruz 'stumbled' forward and fell face first into the Ropes, where he
was momentarily 'out-on-his-feet'.

Alfredo then 'spun' 180*, and unloaded with a '12-Punch' bombardment on Cruz who was 'hanging' Ropes at
the {1:50 Mark}.

Cruz was able to 'right himself', but was now backed in the back-left Corner. As Alfredo kept throwing punches,
'amazingly' Cruz started screaming at Alfredo > "Kill me Fredo. Hit me. I Love you."

At the {2:10 Mark} > Cruz then even 'dropped' his hands, and said to Alfredo > "Hit me. Hit me here on the chin."

A 'perplexed' Alfredo was unsure of what to do, and he inexplicably backed off. Then, Cruz Marcano made his move,
and went after Alfredo like a 'Crazed Bull'. Cruz charged into Alfredo at Center-Ring at the {2:20 Mark}, and slammed
him with several wide-hooks.

To avoid the sudden attack, Alfredo backed up all the way across the Ring, and into the front-right Corner. There, Cruz
'bored-in' at the {2:35 Mark}, and continued to wing 'haymakers' from every angle

Cruz ripped away and slammed 'jarring' punches into Alfredo's head 'non-stop' for 25-Seconds. But Alfredo was
able to 'weather-the-storm', and was even able to land a good '3-Punch' combination just before the Bell sounded,
endinga 'wild' 10th and Final Round.