Philippines, 16 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


STORY OF PHILIPPINE BOXING PART XII: ROBERTO CRUZ, THE FIRST FILIPINO WORLD LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION


PhilBoxing.com




Roberto Cruz, born November 21, 1941 in Baguio City, won the WBA world light welterweight title. He has 44 total fights as a professional garnering 29 wins with 12 KO victories, 12 losses with 3 defeats by KO and 3 draws per Boxrec.com.

Cruz made his professional debut on February 10, 1955, but lost to Laureano Llarenas by decision in a four rounder. He was defeated again in the second bout and finally got his first victory in his third fight winning over Peping Cortez with a third round knockout.

Cruz won a title in October 1, 1959 by defeating Leo Espinosa via twelve round decision and grabbed the Philippine Games & Amusement Board (GAB) Philippine featherweight title.

He also won the GAB Philippine welterweight title by winning over Rocky Kalingo via unanimous decision in April 26, 1962. He also fought non-title bouts thereafter and was defeated five times in twelve bouts.

In March 21, 1963, Cruz travelled to the United States for his first fight outside the Philippines. He faced Mexican boxer Battling Torres for the vacant WBA light welterweight title.

The fight venue was the Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles. Cruz was part of a championship triple-header which also featured Emile Griffith fighting Luis Manuel Rodriguez for the WBA and WBC world welterweight title and Sugar Ramos facing Davey Moore for the WBA and WBC featherweight title.

Cruz, who was the underdog that time, knocked Torres out in the first round to win the title. Torres was heavily favored to win, in fact he was selected by the Ring Magazine in its list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. But the night just belonged to the Filipino new world champion.

However, Cruz's upset of Torres was engulfed by the shocking news of the sudden collapse, then hospitalization and subsequent death of Moore after his fight with Ramos.

For his first title defense, Cruz fought again in the Philippines this time against American Eddie Perkins on June 15, 1963. Perkins, a former world champion, won the fight and wrested the title with a fifteen round decision before 25,000 spectators at the Rizal Baseball Stadium.

Cruz did not fare well since the start as he was knocked down in the first round and was badly battered in the third and sixth rounds. He was able to finish the fight, but the verdict was a clear defeat for the champion as he failed to retain his title. He was not able to fight for a world championship again.

Cruz's last fight as a professional happened on September 28, 1968 in Angeles City, where he suffered a knock out in the third round inflected by Fel Pedranza.

Cruz was the first Filipino world light welterweight/super lightweight champion.

He also finished his professional career with a record of 1-1 with 1 KO in world title fights.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 20: MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER III ON OCTOBER 1, 1975 AT THE ARANETA COLISEUM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: History of Boxing in Reynosa, Tamaulipas
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • YORK HALL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS CONWAY AND LIDDARD GET SET FOR HUGE DOMESTIC CLASH
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • Unbeaten Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes Set for Return on October 18 Against Derlyn Hernandez-Geraldo in Long Beach
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • JOEL “LETHAL” LEWIS RETURNS NOV 28TH THUNDERDOME 52 – METRO CITY PERTH
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • Shane Mosley Sr. Blasts Oscar De La Hoya of Blocking Son’s Title Shot, Calls for Trilogy Fight on Drew & Pris Uncensored podcast
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • MASOUD vs McGRAIL HEADLINES BLOCKBUSTER MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI CARD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • WFM Mendoza seizes lead in 2025 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • YOENLI HERNANDEZ KNOCKS OUT RAMON DELACRUZ SENA IN FIRST ROUND OF MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 8
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • BEN WHITTAKER TITLE SHOT CONFIRMED WITH PRESS CONFERENCE THIS FRIDAY
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST AMATEUR TALENT IN CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • SHANNON RYAN: I'M READY TO BRING 'KAOS' TO YORK HALL THIS WEEK
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • Nikita Tszyu Health Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 13 OCTOBER 2025: Ennis Wipes Out Lima; Vianello Defeats Barriere; Makhmudov Outpoits Allen
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • Omar Juarez Set for Homecoming Clash Against Omar Rosario on October 18 i
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • BLAZEN ROCILI, THE 6’3” FILIPINO GIANT, SCORES DOMINANT 2ND-ROUND TKO OVER ORLANDO SALGADO IN AURORA, COLORADO
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • YORK HALL FIGHT WEEK SCHEDULE CONFIRMED AS KIERON CONWAY VOWS TO TEACH 'OVER CONFIDENT' RIVAL GEORGE LIDDARD A LESSON
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • Pedro Veitia Set to Face Fellow Unbeaten Xavier Ceron on October 18 in Texas, Live on DAZN
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • Jesse Espinas Victorious, New IBF Asia Champion
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Naseem Hamed Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Kiddie Chess Tournament Goes to Farmers Plaza
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao vs. Rolly Romero in January 2026? Boxing Legend Eyes One More Run at Glory
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • 11 martial arts in BP 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • NM Medina beats Slovak GM, draws with FM Castellano to win the 8th AQ Prime FIDE Standard Open Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • “The Wonder Boy” Carl Jammes Martin Ready to Shine October 29 at the 50th Anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.