Roberto Cruz (boxer)


Roberto Dela Cruz is a first Filipino former professional boxer. Cruz won the WBA light-welterweight title in a career that spanned from 1955 to 1968.

Early life

Roberto Cruz was born on November 21, 1941, in Baguio, Philippines.

Professional career

Cruz made his professional debut on February 10, 1955, losing to Laureano Llarenas via a four round points decision. It took until his third fight to achieve his first victory, beating Peping Cortez with a third round knockout. Cruz's first title success came on October 1, 1959, when he beat Leo Espinosa over twelve rounds for the Philippines Games & Amusement Board Featherweight title. Over the next three years Cruz also won the GAB Welterweight title but also suffered five defeats in non-title bouts.
On March 21, 1963, Cruz fought outside the Philippines for the first time as he travelled to the United States to fight the Mexican boxer Battling Torres for the vacant WBA Light Welterweight title. The fight took place at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles as part of a title triple-header which also featured; Emile Griffith vs Luis Manuel Rodriguez at welterweight and Sugar Ramos vs Davey Moore at featherweight. Cruz, who was the underdog, knocked Torres out in the first round to win the title. However, the night will be remembered more for the hospitalization and eventual death of Moore following his fight with Ramos. For the first defence of his title Cruz returned to the Philippines to fight the American Eddie Perkins on June 15, 1963. Perkins, a former world champion, won the fight with a fifteen round points victory in front of 25,000 fans at the Rizal Baseball Stadium. The fight started badly for Cruz as he was knocked down in the opening round and badly hurt in the third and sixth rounds. Although he was able to last the distance, he was unable to retain his title and would never fight for a world championship again.
The final fight of Cruz's professional career took place on September 28, 1968, in Angeles City, Philippines, where he was knocked out in the third round by Fel Pedranza.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
44Loss29–12–3Fel PedranzaKO3 1968-09-28Angeles City, Philippines
43Loss29–11–3Takeshi FujiKO2 1968-04-02Nakajima Sports Center, Sapporo, Japan
42Win29–10–3Masakatsu NaritaKO9 1967-09-09Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines
41Draw28–10–3Carl PeñalosaPTS10 1966-10-29Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City, Philippines
40Win28–10–2Carl PeñalosaPTS10 1966-07-10Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City, Philippines
39Win27–10–2Rocky MontanteKO5 1965-09-18Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines
38Loss26–10–2Peter CobblahPTS10 1965-01-23Manila, Philippines
37Win26–9–2Flash Tac BolanoKO3 1963-12-21Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Philippines
36Loss25–9–2Eddie PerkinsUD15 1963-06-15Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, PhilippinesLost WBA light-welterweight title;
For inaugural WBC and vacant The Ring light-welterweight titles
35Win25–8–2Raymundo TorresKO1 1963-03-21Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Won vacant WBA light-welterweight title
34Win24–8–2Terry FloresKO6 1962-09-15Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, PhilippinesRetained Filipino welterweight title
33Loss23–8–2Shigemasa KawakamiKO3 1962-04-07Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines
32Win23–7–2Munchai RorfortorPTS10 1962-01-10Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines
31Loss22–7–2Johnny GonsalvesUD10 1961-10-21Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines
30Win22–6–2Gary CowburnPTS10 1961-08-05Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines
29Win21–6–2Rocky KalingoUD12 1961-04-26Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, PhilippinesWon vacant Filipino welterweight title
28Draw20–6–2J D EllisPTS10 1960-11-19Quezon City, Philippines
27Loss20–6–1Solomon BoysawSD10 1960-07-09Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines
26Loss20–5–1Solomon BoysawPTS10 1960-06-04Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines
25Win20–4–1Sompong PitakasmutKO5 1960-04-02Manila, Philippines
24Loss19–4–1Young TerrorPTS10 1960-01-23Zamboanga City, Philippines
23Win19–3–1Flashy PanioPTS8 1959-12-19Barguio mountain retreat, Baguio, Philippines
22Win18–3–1Paulito EscarlanPTS10 1959-12-06FEU Gymnasium, Manila, Philippines
21Win17–3–1Leo EspinosaUD12 1959-10-01Manila, PhilippinesWon Filipino (GAB) featherweight title
20Win16–3–1Flashy PanioPTS8 1959-07-26Calumpit, Philippines
19Win15–3–1Gil FloresKO8 1959-06-05Manila, Philippines
18Win14–3–1Tanny CampoPTS10 1959-03-21Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Philippines
17Win13–3–1Army Wonder BoyKO7 1958-11-21Quezon City, Philippines
16Win12–3–1Rudy LopezKO2 1958-10-31Manila, Philippines
15Win11–3–1Larry FernandezPTS8 1958-09-19Manila, Philippines
14Win10–3–1Dio CaguladaKO3 1958-08-18Quezon City, Philippines
13Loss9–3–1Ernie MasangkayPTS8 1958-04-25San Fernando, Philippines
12Win9–2–1Peping CortezKO3 1958-03-22Guagua, Philippines
11Draw8–2–1Tiger WilliePTS6 1958-02-01Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Philippines
10Win8–2Ernie ParedesPTS6 1957-11-29Manila, Philippines
9Win7–2Pancho DillaPTS6 1957-10-23Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Philippines
8Win6–2Max Posadas JrPTS4 1957-08-01Olongapo, Philippines
7Loss5–2Dixie LoganPTS6 1957-04-01Philippines
6Win5–1?KO? 1956-12-01Philippines
5Win4–1Rudy SantamariaPTS4 1956-08-01Baguio, Philippines
4Win3–1?PTS4 1956-03-01Philippines
3Win2–1?PTS4 1955-10-01Philippines
2Win1–1PTS4 1955-06-01Manila, Philippines
1Loss0–1Laureano LlarenasPTS4 1955-02-10Philippines