On June 23, 1986, a 22-year-old Steve Cruz (25-1, 13 KOs) got a shot at the WBA and The Ring featherweight titles held by 25-year-old Irish boxer Barry McGuigan (29-1, 25 KOs).
Cruz came in to the fight on a 6-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 16 days. McGuigan was on a 27-fight win streak with a 83% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 4 months and 8 days.
Steve Cruz defeated Barry McGuigan via unanimous decision and wins the WBA and The Ring titles — in his first world-title fight. Cruz improves his record to 26-1, while McGuigan adds a loss to his record at 29-2.
On August 6, 1989, a 25-year-old Steve Cruz (33-3, 18 KOs) got a shot at the featherweight IBF title held by 23-year-old Mexican boxer Jorge Páez (28-2-2, 23 KOs).
Cruz came in to the fight on a 5-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 23 days. Páez was on a 0-fight win streak with a 71% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 2 months and 16 days.
Jorge Páez defeated Steve Cruz via unanimous decision and successfully defended his IBF featherweight title. Páez improves his record to 29-2-2, while Cruz adds a loss to his record at 33-4.
On August 12, 1988, a 24-year-old Steve Cruz (29-3, 15 KOs) and Fred Adams met in the ring in a featherweight bout.
Cruz came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 46% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 29 days.
Steve Cruz stopped Fred Adams via KO in the 4th round. Cruz improves his record to 30-3 (16 KOs)
On June 14, 1988, a 24-year-old Steve Cruz (28-3, 14 KOs) and Alfred Rangel met in the ring in a featherweight bout.
Cruz came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 45% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 27 days.
Steve Cruz stopped Alfred Rangel via TKO in the 5th round. Cruz improves his record to 29-3 (15 KOs)
On September 30, 1988, a 24-year-old Steve Cruz (30-3, 16 KOs) and Amos Cowart met in the ring.
Cruz came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 48% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 18 days.
Steve Cruz stopped Amos Cowart via TKO in the 1st round. Cruz improves his record to 31-3 (17 KOs)
On October 13, 1983, a 19-year-old Steve Cruz (15-0, 9 KOs) and Angel Hernandez met in the ring.
Cruz came in to the fight on a 15-fight win streak with a 60% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 18 days.
Steve Cruz stopped Angel Hernandez via TKO in the 1st round. Cruz improves his record to 16-0 (10 KOs)
On February 26, 1982, an 18-year-old Steve Cruz (5-0, 5 KOs) and Juan Carlos Barbosa met in the ring.
Cruz came in to the fight on a 5-fight win streak with a 100% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 13 days.
Steve Cruz stopped Juan Carlos Barbosa via TKO in the 1st round. Cruz improves his record to 6-0 (6 KOs)
On December 2, 1981, an 18-year-old Steve Cruz (1-0, 1 KO) and Homero Gonzalez met in the ring.
Cruz came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 100% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 3 days.
Steve Cruz stopped Homero Gonzalez via TKO in the 1st round. Cruz improves his record to 2-0 (2 KOs)
On July 14, 1982, an 18-year-old Steve Cruz (9-0, 8 KOs) and Eddie Richardson met in the ring.
Cruz came in to the fight on a 9-fight win streak with a 88% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 18 days.
Steve Cruz stopped Eddie Richardson via KO in the 1st round. Cruz improves his record to 10-0 (9 KOs)
On December 15, 1981, an 18-year-old Steve Cruz (2-0, 2 KOs) and Ricky Cortez met in the ring.
Cruz came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 100% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 13 days.
Steve Cruz stopped Ricky Cortez via KO in the 1st round. Cruz improves his record to 3-0 (3 KOs)