Leonardo Cruz (born 17 January 1953 in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic), better known in the world of boxing as Leo Cruz, was a world Jr. Featherweight champion from the Dominican Republic. January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1953 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Founded in 1495 during the first wave of European colonization of the New World, today Santiago de los Caballeros (the first Santiago of America) is the second most important city in the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola. ... The World in plate carrée projection The World In English, world is rooted in a compound of the obsolete words were, man, and eld, age; thus, its oldest meaning is age or life of man. Its primary modern meaning is the planet Earth, especially when capitalized: the World. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Leo was the brother of Carlos Cruz, a man whom many recognize as one of the greatest fighters to come out of the Dominican Republic. His brother Carlos had conquered the world Lightweight title by beating Carlos Ortiz in 1969, and was on his way to a rematch with Ortiz at San Juan, when his Dominicana De Aviacion DC-9 jet crashed shortly after take-off, killing everyone on board. With that, Leo had to learn how to deal with life's hardships at a very young age (see: Dominicana DC-9 air disaster). Carlos Cruz (November 4, 1937_February 15, 1970) was a boxer from the Dominican Republic. ... Carlos Ortiz (born September 9, Puerto Rican who was a three time world boxing champion, twice in the lightweight division and once in the Jr. ... 1969 was a common year starting on Wednesday For other uses, see Number 1969. ... San Juan is the capital city of Puerto Rico. ... Dominicana de Aviacion was the national and international airline of the Dominican Republic. ... The Douglas DC-9 is a twin-engined jet airliner, first manufactured in 1965 and, in much modified form and under a succession of different names, still in production today as the Boeing 717. ... The Dominicana de Aviacion Santo Domingo DC-9 air disaster occurred on February 15, 1970. ...

Leo moved to Puerto Rico early in the 1970s, and began identifying himself as half Puerto Rican almost immediately. He began his successful professional boxing career there, with a string of wins. Despite having beaten future two time world champion Lupe Pintor, however, Cruz was still a virtual unknown when given a chance to win the WBC world Jr. Featherweight championship. Despite losing by a knockout in the 13th round against world champion Wilfredo Gomez, his stock around the boxing world rose after that fight. Cruz kept on fighting, and winning, until he was given a second world title try, this time by the WBA world champion Sergio Palma, in Buenos Aires. Cruz was beaten by a decision in 15 by the Argentine world champion, but in a rematch on February of 1982 at Miami, Cruz became world champion by defeating Palma by a decision, also in 15 rounds. This article provides extensive lists of events and significant personalities of the 1970s. ... Guadalupe Pintor (born April 13, 1955), better known as Lupe Pintor in the boxing world, is a former boxer from Cuajimalpa, Mexico. ... The World Boxing Council (WBC) has operated since 1963 as a competitor to Venezuelas World Boxing Association (WBA) and, according to its founders, a way to improve professional boxings standards. ... Knockout (K.O.), or simply knock, is a winning criterion of many ringsports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and others. ... Wilfredo Gómez (born October 29, 1956) is a former boxer and three time world champion. ... World Boxing Association (WBA) is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level. ... Buenos Aires (BWEH-naus EYE-ress, literally Good Winds in Spanish, but more akin to Fair Winds, as in navigation) is the capital of Argentina and its largest city and port, as well as one of the largest in South America. ... February is the second month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1982 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... City nickname: The Magic City, The American Riviera, The Sixth Borough Location Location of Miami in the State of Florida Government County Miami-Dade Mayor Manuel “Manny” Diaz (R) Physical characteristics Area      Land      Water 54 km²      35. ...

Cruz in his first defense knocked out Benito Badillo of Chile in eight rounds, at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan. When Gomez left his WBC title vacant soon after, Cruz became recognized by most fans as the universal world champion. Then, he defeated South Korean challenger Soon-Hyun Chung, by decision in 15; after dropping him in round eight; also in San Juan. In his first defense at his home country, Cruz put his title on the line on August of 1983 against Nicaraguan challenger Cleo Garcia at Santo Domingo. Cruz retained the title by a decision. The Roberto Clemente Coliseum (or Coliseo Roberto Clemente in Spanish) is a sporting events and concert arena in San Juan, Puerto Rico. ... National motto: 널리 인간 세계를 이롭게 하라 Translation: Bring benefit to all peoples world Official language Korean Capital Seoul Largest city Seoul President Roh Moo-hyun Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 107th 99,274 km² 0. ... Note: as an adjective (stressed on the second syllable instead of the first), august means honorable. ... 1983 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Santo Domingo, population 2,061,200 (2003), is the capital of the Dominican Republic. ...

With a lucrative defense against Puerto Rican Victor Luvi Callejas looming ahead, Cruz went to Rome in February of 1984, and, while defending his crown against Italian Loris Stecca, he inexplicably quit in round 12, therefore losing the world Featherweight title. Victor Callejas (born December 11, 1960) is a Puerto Rican who was boxings world Jr. ... The Roman Colosseum Rome (Italian and Latin Roma) is the capital city of Italy, and of its Lazio region. ... 1984 is a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Loris Stecca was a world champion boxer. ...

Cruz attempted a comeback in 1985, winning one fight, but retiring for good after that. 1985 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Eleoncio Mercedes