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JOSE LUIS CRUZ
PROFILE AND BIO
Mexican native, Jose Luis Cruz is an exciting puncher with 27 knockouts to his credit over his nine-year career. He is also undefeated in 34 fights. Cruz does not know how to lose.
Turning pro at 19 with a first-round knockout of Adolfo Rodriguez in August 1996, Cruz left little doubt about his intentions once he stepped between the ropes. He was going to try to knock you out. He succeeded in impressive fashion early on in his career, knocking out his irst six foes in 1996-1997.
In April 1997, he went the eight-round distance for the first time with a win over Agustin Gurrola. Eight months later, he knocked out Gerardo Esquivel in the eighth round and then stopped his next 11 opponents. With a record of 19-0 and 18 KO's, he was matched up against Arturo Castaneda in July 1999 for the WBC Fecarbox welterweight title. Castaneda was KO'd in two rounds, and Cruz went on to defent his first pro title twice.
Cruz added the Mexican welterweight title to his resume in May 2000, decisioning veteran Marco Antonio Lizarraga over 12 rounds. In July 2000, he made his United States debut and stopped Leonard Townsend in nine rounds to win the WBC Continental Americas championship.
Cruz returned to Mexico and defended his local crown three times, including a 12-round decision win over former world champion, Jorge Vaca.
In March 2002, Cruz battled well-regarded contender, Carlos Baldomir, to a 12-round stalemate in a WBC welterweight title elimination bout. Despite the first blemish on his record, undefeated Cruz opted to base his career out of California, and where he got work as a sparring partner for Antonio Margarito.
In 2003, Cruz scored stoppage wins over Alejandro Jimenez and Oscar Delgado. After a disputed draw with Lino Perez, Jr. in 2004, he stopped tough contender Dairo Esalas in July 2004. In his last bout in January 2005, Cruz TKO'd Vincent Thompson in eight rounds.
In September 2005, Cruz lost a 10-round unanimous decision to "Sugar" Shane Mosley in the first and only loss of his career.