Curtis Cokes vs. Enrique Cruz
Curtis Cokes 149 lbs beat Enrique Cruz 148 lbs by KO at 2:34 in round 7 of 10
- Date: 1966-09-27
- Location: Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
- Cruz claimed a 25-6 record going into this bout.
- Cokes was scheduled to meet Brian Curvis of Wales on November 7th, however, Curvis pulled out of the fight on September 28th due to an Achilles tendon issue in his right heel. On October 24th Curvis announced his retirement due to the ongoing issue and never fought again.
- Promoter Norm Levinson stated he was considering 4 separate challengers for the new title defense date of November 28th. They were Ted Whitfield, Percy Manning, Francois Pavilla and Jean Josselin, with Josselin getting the fight.
"It took stylish Curtis Cokes almost seven rounds to solve the southpaw, peek-a-boo style of Enrique Cruz at Memorial Coliseum last night but once he did the workout was over in a hurry. The fight had been billed as a tuneup for Cokes' upcoming defense of his welterweight title on November 7th and that's virtually all it was, although Cruz did prove to be a willing opponent. Cokes, 149, of Dallas finished Cruz, 148, of Monterrey, Mexico at 2:34 of the 7th round with two quick rights to the head. Cokes scarcely changed expressions throughout the scrap and had won every round according to all three judges before he finally dropped Cruz quick and decisively along with cuts over both eyes. Cruz made a worthy foe for Cokes but was certainly no match for the arsenal of Cokes." -Corpus Christi Times