Carlos Teo Cruz (November 4, 1937-February 15, 1970) was a boxer from the Dominican Republic. Considered by many Dominican boxing fans to be one of the finest boxers ever born in that country, Cruz was world Lightweight champion from 1968 to 1970.
Cruz claimed he didn't put on his first pair of boxing gloves until his 20th birthday. He fought as an amateur from 1957-1959, posting a 14-3 record.
Cruz's father, Francisco Rosario Almonte was an army...
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Carlos Teo Cruz (November 4, 1937-February 15, 1970) was a boxer from the Dominican Republic. Considered by many Dominican boxing fans to be one of the finest boxers ever born in that country, Cruz was world Lightweight champion from 1968 to 1970.
Cruz claimed he didn't put on his first pair of boxing gloves until his 20th birthday. He fought as an amateur from 1957-1959, posting a 14-3 record.
Cruz's father, Francisco Rosario Almonte was an army officer in the Dominican military. Cruz met his wife, Mildred Ortiz in the town of Río Piedras in Puerto Rico. They were married in 1961 when Ortiz was 14 years old. Cruz had two children; Carlos, Jr. (born 1962), and Hermina (born 1963). Cruz's younger brother, Leo Cruz, later on went on to become a world champion.
He started his career as a professional boxer with a loss, being defeated by decision in eight rounds by Juan Jose Jimenez, October 23 of 1959 in Santo Domingo. His first win came on December 3 of that year, also in Santo Domingo,...
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