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

[Bill Paxtom]

August 15, 1969

~ Cruz Marcano vs. Alfredo Marcano ~

Venezuela's 1969 ~ 'Fight of the Year'

But a bizarre ending to this bout.

Approximatley 5-Minutes after the bout ended, the Ring Announcer > Ray Garcia announced that
Alfredo Marcano had won by a 'Majority Decision'.

* Referee - Luis Salbaran ...... 96-95 > {5-4-1 in Rounds} > Alfredo Marcano
* Judge - Carlos Cataya ........ 96-96 > {4-4-2 in Rounds} > 'Even'
* Judge - Santos Arizmendi ... 96-95 > {5-4-1 in Rounds} > Alfredo Marcano

After the announcement, all 'Hell' broke loose in the Cruz Marcano group, as they screamed that
they were 'robbed'.

And the Cruz Marcano supporters inside the Nuevo Circo Arena started 'booing' loudly, and many
were throwing objects at the Ring.

Immediately, the Venezuelan Boxing Commission got involved, and made an announcement that
they were going to 're-tabulate' the Scorecards.

What they found {or so stated}, that Judge - Santos Arizmendi had 'incorrectly' scored Round 8
{10-9} for Alfredo Marcano, instead of scoring the Round {10-10} 'Even', which is what he
intended to do.

That {1-Point} swing in difference made the bout a '10-Round Draw'.

~ Corrected Scorecard Reading ~

Referee - Luis Salbaran
> Alfredo Marcano > Rounds ... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
> Cruz Marcano > Rounds ....... 6, 7, 9, 10
> 'Even' .................................. 8

Judge - Carlos Cataya
> Alfredo Marcano > Rounds ... 1, 2, 3, 5
> Cruz Marcano > Rounds ....... 6, 7, 9, 10
> 'Even' .................................. 4, 8

Judge - Santos Arizmendi
> Alfredo Marcano > Rounds .. 1, 2, 3, 5
> Cruz Marcano > Rounds ...... 6, 7, 9, 10
> 'Even' ................................ 4, 8

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Rare Photo ~

Friday ~ August 15, 1969

~ Venezuela's 1969 ~ 'Fight of the Year'

Cruz Marcano {left} versus Alfredo Marcano {right}

[Bill Paxtom]

Wednesday ~ August 20, 1969

Fight Promoter - Ramiro Machado

That bout on Friday Night {August 15th} at the Nuevo Circo 'New Circus' was a brutal battle.
Both fighters are bruised and sore.

Those type of fights can 'ruin' a fighter's career. Thankfully, both Cruz Marcano and Alfredo Marcano
are young, and strong. They will both bounce back, as long as they have a 'required' rest period.

What we saw on Friday Night, was 'two' future World Champion's. That I can guarantee. My plan
is to have both of them World Champion's in 1970.

But,

Cruz Marcano injured his right-hand in the bout with Alfredo Marcano on Friday Night.

He will be 'out-of-action' for 3-Months. I was going to take him to California in mid-September,
but those plans will now be 'scuibbed'.

The Doctor has told him, 'No Boxing' for 3-Months, and no sparring until he has been
re-examined in November 1969.

Alfredo Marcano is a little sore and bruised up. He's under orders from his Physician, to
rest for 1-Month, and not resume training during that time.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Famous Photo ~

* Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes {wearing White Suit}....... WBA Light-Welterweight Champion

* Ramiro Machado {with Hat and reading Newspaper} ........ Venezuelan Fight Promoter and Boxing Manager

* Melquiades 'Tabaquito' Saenz {Super Afro hairdo} ............ Venezuelan Boxing Trainer

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ December 20, 1969

Nuevo Circo 'New Circus' ~ Caracas, Venezuela

~ Venezuela Featherweight Championship ~

* Pedro Gomez - 25-4-2 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 126 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 0 months}
vs.
* Cruz Marcano - 23-0-3 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 125 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 6 months}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Cruz 'El Loco' Marcano > Is fighting for the '1st-time' in over 4-months, after his 'war' on
August 15th in 'The Fight of the Year' with Alfredo Marcano.

Cruz has been recovering from a fractured-bone in his right-hand.

While the 'unbeaten' South American has been labeled a can't miss Champion by the 'boxing experts',
there has been a concern over his 'power-loss' in 1969.

In '6-Bouts', Cruz has had to go the 'full-route' in each bout, and has not scored a Knockout,
and only has registered '2' Knockdowns in '60-Rounds'.

Cruz Marcano is rated as the #3 WBA Featherweight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pedro Gomez > Is the older brother of Antonio Gomez. Pedro had been 'The Star' of Cumana
and Venezuela's 'Top' Featherweight in early-1969.

Also, Pedro had been the Venezuelan Featherweight Champion since February 1968.

The 4-Year Professional was the #1 WBA Featherweight in February 1969, and earned the challenge
for the WBA Featherweight Championship on February 9th against Japan's - Shozo Saijo in Tokyo, Japan.

In that bout, Pedro fell behind 'badly' after 10-Rounds, but put on a remarkable come-back over the
last 4-Rounds. But, Pedro came up just short and lost a 'tough' 15-Round Decision to the WBA Champion.

Since that loss on February 9th >

Pedro had lost 'back-to-back' bouts {L TKO 6} to Mexican - Vicente Garcia on 'May 1st', and a {L Dec 10}
to American - Richard Sue on 'August 1st'.

But on August 29th, Pedro 'reversed' the tables on Richard Sue, and won a {W Dec 10}.

Pedro is rated as the #11 WBA Featherweight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Cruz Marcano 'Captures' The Venezuelan Featherweight Championship, Defeats Pedro Gomez ~

'Unbeaten' Cruz Marcano made it '27-Straight' bouts without a loss, as he easily defeated Pedro Gomez to capture
the Venezuelan Featherweight Championship.

The 23 year-old Marcano used a 'steady' left-jab and 'crisp' right-hands in every Round, to bruise up the face of
the 28 year-old Champion.

Cruz Marcano, who is from Cumana, just like the Champion, was in control from the Opening Round, and out-sped
Pedro Gomez in every exchange, throughout the 12-Round bout.

El Nacionale' scored the bout {118-112} or {8-2-2} in Rounds for the 'new' Champion - Cruz Marcano.

[Bill Paxtom]

January 1, 1970

Ring Magazine Ratings

*** Johnny Famechon > {WBC Champion}
#1 . Shozo Saijo > {WBA Champion}
#2 . Vicente Saldivar
#3 . Fighting Harada
#4 . Cruz Marcano
#5 . Antonio Gomez
#6 . Kuniaki Shibata
#7 . Jimmy Revie
#8 . Jose Legra
#9 . Fernando Sotello
#10. Dwight Hawkins
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday ~ February 20, 1970

Nuevo Circo 'New Circus' ~ Caracas, Venezuela

* Cruz 'El Loco' Marcano - 24-0-3 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 127 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 11 months}
vs.
* Guillermo 'Memo' Morales - 20-4-0 {18 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 127 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 2 months}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Cruz Marcano > is on a roll, and has moved up to the #2 WBA-ranked Featherweight.
The Venezuelan is also ranked at #4 Ring Magazine.

Cruz has been labeled 'a complete fighter', and is unbeaten in '27' bouts. The one issue, is that
'El Loco' has been missing the 'KO Punch' in 1969, as he has gone 7-Straight bouts without
scoring a Knockout.

His last 'Knockout' {KO 4} was against Antonio Cervantes back in December 1968.

In fairness, Cruz has had some issues with his right-hand {bruised and hairline fracture}
since the Cervantes bout.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Guillermo 'Memo' Morales > is a tough-and-young fighter from Mexicali. 'Memo' always
comes to fight, and never gives up, as he brings in an aggressive style

The Mexican 'now' usually fights in his opponents backyard. 'Memo' is an average boxer, but he
has a good left-hook that has 'helped' produce '18' Knockouts in '20' wins.

'Memo' got off to a 'blazing start' in his career, as he won his first '15' Bouts with {14 KO's}
thru May 1968.

But 'back-to-back' tough 10-Round Decision losses stalled his fast rise.
* June 19, 1968 ..... Richie Gonzalez
* August 9, 1968 ... Beto Maldonado

Then on August 23, 1968 > 'Memo' lost a tough bout {L TKO 7} to Baby Cassius, when he had
his 'left-eye' sliced up. It was his '3rd' straight loss, dropping him to 15-3-0.

After '3' straight losses, 'Memo' Morales moved to Honolulu, Hawaii in November 1968, as there
was a 'call' to get some West-Coast Featherweights out there.

In his '1st-Bout' in Honolulu {October 31, 1968} > 'Memo' was matched with 'unbeaten' and
highly-touted Filipino - Dominado 'Domi' Manalang.

Manalang had a record of 17-0-1 with {12 KO's}, and was the #7 WBA-ranked Bantamweight.

'The Filipino was moving up in weight, and in the bout > Manalang {123 lbs.} was too fast
for 'Memo' {126 lbs.}, and went on to score a {TKO 8} over Morales.

It was Morales' '4th' straight loss, dropping the young 21 year-old Mexican to 15-4-0.

3-Months later {January 29, 1969} 'Memo' was back in the Ring again in Honolulu. Again
'Memo' was facing another 'talented' Filipino in Roberto Andrade.

Roberto was the #7 WBA-ranked Featherweight, and was a 'big' fan favorite on the Island.

In a 'Major Upset' > 'Memo' Morales scored a Knockout {KO 3} over the World-Ranked
Filipino.

The 'upset win' moved 'Memo' Morales to the #10 WBA Featherweight in the February 1969
ratings. The win ended the '4-Bout' losing streak for 'Memo', as he upped his record of 16-4-0 {15 KO's}.

For the rest of 1969, 'Memo' went on to score '4' more wins, and with {3 KO's}.

At the end of 1969 > 'Memo' Morales had improved to 20-4-0 with {18 KO's}.

[Bill Paxtom]

February 20, 1970

~ Major Upset In Caracas, As Visiting Mexican Defeats 'Top-Ranked' Cruz Marcano ~

~ Cruz Marcano Loses, Upset By Majority Decision To 'Memo' Morales ~

The highly-touted and #2 WBA-ranked Venezuelan - Cruz Marcano was 'upset' in
his home country by little-known Mexican - Guillermo 'Memo' Morales.

Cruz Marcano was just '1-Bout' away from a Featherweight World Championship
bout, but now he will fall a few notches in the World Rankings.

In the bout, Marcano {127 1/2 lbs.} fought 'brilliantly' for the first 2-Rounds, as he
displayed his 'great' boxing-skills of jabbing and countering with 'lightning' fast-speed
on the visiting Mexican.

'El Loco' also used his crazy tactics of 'screaming' at his opponent by yelling >
"Hit me Mexico. Hit me if you can."

But starting mid-way thru Round 3, Morales had 'upset-on-his-mind', as he moved in
close on the Venezuelan favorite, and scored with 'several' hard left-hooks to the head.

For the next 3-Rounds, it was 'Memo' Morales as the effective-aggressor, and the
Venezuelan who was on the defensive.

Morales {126 lbs.} continued to bore in on Marcano, who for some reason backed to
the Ropes and let the Mexican hit him without offering a return. Morales landed with
repeated left-hooks and short right-hands, as he had Marcano covering up while having
him pinned to the Ropes.

Realizing that he was losing control of the bout, Cruz Marcano moved to Center-Ring
in Round 7, and smoothly-boxed by dishing out repeated left-hands and counter
right-hands on the pressing Mexican.

During the Round, 'El Loco' went back to his yelling antics, by screaming >
"I am here Mexico. Hit me. Hit me Mexico."

But, Marcano used up a lot of energy, as he was going at a super-fast pace, and
looked a bit 'leg-weary' at the end of the Round.

In Round 8, the 'tough' Mexican came out charging, and again went back to bulling
Marcano into the Ropes, where he went to work with a steady punching-attack,
preventing to give the Venezuelan punching room.

> With '2' Rounds to go, the bout was up for grabs.

In Round 9, Cruz Marcano got off to a 'good start' as he smoothly boxed by jabbing and
circling around Morales who was positioned at Center-Ring.

But by the {1:30 Mark}, Cruz started to fade, as his legs weakened. Then Morales moved in
and backed the suddenly 'fatigued' Venezuelan to the Ropes. There, 'Memo' continued with
his steady and deliberate punching attack, as a 'spent' Marcano could only defend or grab.

In Round 10, Cruz Marcano came out to Center-Ring and unloaded what he had 'left-in-his-tank',
but after a brief period {25-Seconds} he was 'gassed'.

Then 'Memo' stepped up, and delivered heavy hooks into Cruz' body sending him backwards and
into the back-left Corner at the {0:40 Mark}.

While there, 'Memo' just kept pumping a steady flow of 'medium-power' punches into Marcano's
head-and-body until the Final Bell.

Scorecards
* Referee - Luis Salbaran ...... 96-95 > {5-4-1 in Rounds} > Guillermo 'Memo' Morales
* Judge - Carlos Cartaya ....... 96-96 > {4-4-2 in Rounds} > 'Even'
* Judge - Santos Arizmendi ... 97-96 > {4-3-3 in Rounds} > Guillermo 'Memo' Morales

[Bill Paxtom]

February 26, 1970

Fight Promoter - Ramiro Machado

Discussing his fighter {Cruz 'El Loco' Marcano} and his recent loss to Guillermo 'Memo' Morales.

"It was just one of those nights. Cruz was fighting well for {2 1/2 Rounds}, and then he just
lost his strength for no reason.

He really labored in Rounds 4, 5 and 6. I believe he may have had 'the bug' while getting
prepared for this bout.

He was 'listless' for the whole 2nd-half of the bout, except for Round 7.

We have no other choice, but for Cruz to rest up for 6-Weeks, then we'll try to bring 'Memo' Morales
back in for a rematch.

I've already talked to his Manager - Edwin Inca Valero. Of course we will up the Mexican's
fight purse to { $3500 } this time, because a rematch will draw more interest.

[Bill Paxtom]

March 5, 1970

Cruz 'El Loco' Marcano

The loss to Guillermo 'Memo' Morales dropped Cruz Marcano from the #2 WBA Featherweight
down to #5 WBA.

Now with a record of 24-1-3 > 'El Loco' had fallen from the 'unbeaten' Ranks.

The 'loss' also pushed the 'talented' Venezuelan out of a potential WBA Featherweight
Championship bout with Japan's Shozo Saijo {which was being discussed}.

The 23 1/2 year-old Venezuelan was told by his Trainer - Hely Montes to 're-group',
and to rest his 'problematic' right-hand for 2-Months.


~ WBA Featherweight Rankings ~

*** Shozo Saijo
#1 . Johnny Famechon > {WBC Champion}
#2 . Vicente Saldivar
#3 . Jose Legra
#4 . Antonio Gomez
#5 . Cruz Marcano
#6 . Godfrey Stevens
#7 . Frankie Crawford
#8 . Eder Jofre
#9 . Jimmy Revie
#10. Guillermo 'Memo' Morales

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ May 8, 1970

Nuevo Circo 'New Circus' ~ Caracas, Venezuela

* Cruz Marcano - 24-1-3 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 127 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 24 years, 2 months}
vs.
* Luis Ramirez - 37-12-3 {21 KO's} ~ 5' 5 1/2" ~ 129 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 6 months}
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Cruz Marcano is taking his '1st-Bout' since getting upset by 'Memo' Morales on February 20th.

Cruz is also planning for a 'rematch' with 'Memo' Morales for late-June 1970, after he defeats
the veteran Luis Ramirez.

Luis 'El Estudiante' Ramirez is an 11-Year veteran from Torreon, Mexico. Luis is hard-punching
fighter, but he has seen better days, as he has gone {2-5-0} in his last '7' bouts since October 1968.

Luis plans to retire this year, no matter what his results are.

As a side-note > Luis holds a win {W Dec 10} over 'Memo' Morales 1-year earlier, back
on March 31, 1969
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Cruz Marcano Hammers Mexico's Ramirez, Wins One-Sided Decision ~

Venezuelan - Cruz Marcano, the #5 World-rated Featherweight hammered veteran Mexican -
Luis Ramirez for 10-Rounds in Caracas, Venezuela.

Marcano, also known as 'El Loco', used a steady assortment of left-jabs, and fast 'one-two'
combinations to the head of the slower-moving Ramirez.

Marcano was in control from the out-set, and floored the 27 1/2 year-old veteran with a
left-hook, and 'double' right-hand to the head in Round 7.

The Venezuelan displayed fine technique and quick-hands throughout the 10-Round bout.

Luis Ramirez showed heart-and-courage in taking a one-sided pounding, as well as fighting
back after suffering a Knockdown in Round 7.

Scorecards
* 100-92
* 99-91
* 100-90

[Bill Paxtom]

June 24, 1970

~ Ring Magazine Featherweight Ratings ~

*** Vicente Saldivar > {WBC Champion}
#1 . Shozo Saijo > {WBA Champion}
#2 . Antonio Gomez
#3 . Raul Cruz
#4 . Kuniaki Shibata
#5 . Cruz Marcano
#6 . Jose Luis Pimentel
#7 . Jose Legra
#8 . Eder Jofre
#9 . Fernando Sotello
#10. Tomasso Galli

Venezuelan Fight Promoter - Ramiro Machado was 'negotiating' to set up a
WBA Championship bout between Shozo Saijo and either one of his Venezuelan
Featherweights in > Antonio Gomez or Cruz Marcano.

He was also working on the possibility, of getting Cruz Marcano a challenge at
WBA Super-Featherweight Champion - Hiroshi Kobayashi.

Cruz {Age; 24 years, 3 months} was more than willing to move up to 130 lbs.,
if he could get a Championship bout.

Ramiro Machado >

I have '3' of my fighters angling for a World Championship. > Antonio Gomez,
Cruz Marcano and Alfredo Marcano. Unfortunately for them, they all are competing
at the same weight . One of them will have to move up to {130 lbs.}, as there just
isn't enough World Title's to go around.

[Bill Paxtom]

July 2, 1970

~ WBA Featherweight Rankings ~

*** Shozo Saijo
#1 . Vicente Saldivar > {WBC Champion}
#2 . Frankie Crawford
#3 . Antonio Gomez
#4 . Kuniaki Shibata
#5 . Cruz Marcano

~ Featherweight Happenings ~

{#1} Vicente Saldivar captured the WBC Featherweight Championship on May 9th.

{#2} Frankie Crawford was challenging WBA Champion - Shozo Saijo on July 5th, and in Japan.

{#3} Antonio Gomez had signed a contract to challenge the winner of the Shozo Saijo vs. Frankie Crawford
WBA Championship Bout. With a tentative date set for November 1970, and at the 'Olympic Auditorium' in California.

{#4} Kuniaki Shibata was aiming to challenge Vicente Saldivar for the WBC Championship, with the bout tentatively
set for later this year {November}.

{#5} Cruz Marcano was the 'odd-man out'.

[Bill Paxtom]

August 1, 1970

Caracas, Venezuela

Venezuelan Fight Promoter - Ramiro Machado

Announced today that his fighter Cruz Marcano, the #5 WBA-ranked Featherweight will
be fighting later this month.

The promoter stated that Cruz will be fighting a 10-Round bout at the Nuevo Circo in
Caracas, against Mexico's - Guillermo 'Memo' Morales.

The Mexican Featherweight is the 'only' fighter to defeat the World-Rated - Cruz Marcano,
as he socred an 'upset' 10-Round Decision over Marcano on Febrary 20th, and in Caracas.

Ramiro Machado >

"This will be a bout of great interest. Mainly because, 'Memo' Morales has the style to give
'El Loco' Marcano a very difficult time in the Ring."

"Cruz wants this bout in the worst way. He needs to get revenge, before he challenges for
a World Championship."

[Bill Paxtom]

{AP} Sunday ~ August 23, 1970

~ Venezuelan Boxer Dies In Car Crash ~

Cruz Marcano, the #5 World-Rated Featherweight boxer was killed in a car crash late
Satruday Night {August 22nd}.

The accident occurred around 11:00 PM - Saturday Night on a Mountain Road {Route 9}
along the northern shore in the Region of Pocotos, which is approximately 200 Miles east
of Caracas.

Cruz Marcano was returning to his home in Cumana, Venezuela after spending a Week
training at the Saint Theresa Gym in Caracas.

Reports stated that a car coming in the opposite direction crossed the center-line, and
collided head-on with the car that Cruz Marcano was driving. A passenger was also in the
vehicle with Mr. Marcano, but there have been no reports on that person's condition.

Ramiro Machado {Boxing Promoter and Boxing Manager} >

It is a tragedy. Cruz was a great person, and a fantastic boxer. He had a joy for life,
and loved his family.

He wanted to become a World Champion, to make some good money and to take care
of his family, especially his mother. He wanted to buy her a new home over-looking the
Caribbean Sea in Cumana.

Cruz had been training in Caracas for the week {Monday thru Saturday}. He left here
about 6:00 PM for the 6-Hour drive back home to Cumana. He planned to stay in Cumana
for 4-Days, and was planning to return back to Caracas next Thursday to resume training.

Additional Report >

Cruz Marcano {Age; 24 years, 5 months} had only lost 'once' in 29-Bouts over a 4-Year
career, in compiling a record of 25-1-3.

His nickname was 'El Loco' {The Crazy One}, for his sometime crazy antics in the Ring,
as in yelling at his opponent asking to be hit, or dropping his hands to his side and offering
up his chin as a target.

Cruz was scheduled for a bout at the Nuevo Circo in Caracas for September 5th, against
the only fighter to ever defeat him - Guillermo 'Memo' Morales.

The Venezuelan Press had projected Cruz Marcano as a future World Champion for 1971.