VIDEO: Antonio Esparragoza vs. Steve Cruz - underrated ATG battle

I recently watched this fight, which I believe is the first time I've actually seen it in its entirety.

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I'd say this is the best and most spirited fight I've ever seen either of this fighters wage. Somewhat contrary to their performances in other fights, both of them let it all hang out here. Of course, Cruz was coming off his epic upset win over McGuigan which had earned him his title. Heading into that fight, he had been a complete unknown and came in as a late sub. Against Esparragoza, he was out to prove he was no "fluke" champion and was capable of winning other fights at the top level. Fighting before his hometown fans, he gave his absolute all, but he simply could not match the fiery non-stop punching machine that Esparragoza was on this night.

Esparragoza would go on to defend his title numerous times all over the world, but not against any household names. His most notable challenger was Marcos Villasana, and that ended up being a draw. He was often likened to a "poor man's Arguello" during his heyday, but I felt he was a bit more comparable to Freddie Steele, as he tended to show more of Steele's fire and intensity when he had an opponent hurt rather than Arguello's coolness and patience. Eventually, he lost his title to Yong Kyun Park and never fought again.

I don't believe Cruz was ever really the same after this fight, but he did manage to string together a few good wins a few years later and earned a title shot at Jorge Paez. I remember this as being a heavily hyped grudge match in the heyday of NBC-televised boxing. Cruz surprised Paez early in the fight by dropping him with a sneak right hand, but for the most part Cruz stayed on the defensive and Paez muscled and hustled his way to a clear decision win. Not long after that, Cruz faded into obscurity.


On a side note, I would've loved to have seen a unification match between Esparragoza and Paez. Jeff Fenech was also a titleholder during this period, and a fight between him and either of the other two would've been great as well.