Carlos Teo Cruz vs. Mando Ramos (1st meeting)
Carlos Teo Cruz 135 lbs beat Mando Ramos 135 lbs by UD in round 15 of 15
- Date: 1968-09-27
- Location: Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Referee: Lee Grossman 7-6
- Judge: Rudy Jordan 7-6
- Judge: Dick Young 9-6
"Carlos "Teo" Cruz of the Dominican Republic won a unanimous decision in 15 rounds over youthful Mando Ramos to retain his lightweight championship. There were no knockdowns but the crowd was in a frenzy as Ramos, well behind on points, came with a rush to win the last three rounds, trying desperately for a knockout to win the title. Ramos, who suffered a cut by his left eye in the 1st round, a wound that the champion reopened in the 14th, slashed a bad cut over Cruz's left eye in the 13th. Ramos, who enjoyed a four inch advantage in height and reach, closed in on the champion and had him hanging on and obviously in distress. The 15th was a scorcher. Ramos continued the attack and Cruz was hurt and seemingly tired. But the titleholder gained strength and was throwing punches as rapidly as possible in the final 15 seconds." -Associated Press
- Attendance - 23,211
- Gate - $181,216
- This bout was part of a dual title bill, sharing with the Raul Rojas - Sho Saijyo WBA featherweight title fight.
Unofficial scorecards (all for Cruz)
- AP - 9-6
- Pasadena Star-News - 9-7
- Long Beach Press-Telegram - 10-5
Post fight comments
- "I hit him with everything I had and nothing happened. He was much tougher than I expected and he sure has a lot going for him at his age. Within two years, nobody will be able to touch him." -Carlos "Teo" Cruz
- "I was worried all day about getting tired in the late rounds if the fight went 15. I had never gone farther than 10. So, I decided to skip warming up in the dressing room and then coast through the first three or four rounds, but I waited too long to get started. But if I ever fight him again, I'll knock him out. In fact, if he ever agrees to fight me again, he's crazy. And, I hope he's that crazy." -Mando Ramos