Terri Lynn "Lil Loca" Cruz born in Raton,
New Mexico. lives in Denver, Colorado, where she began boxing
professionally. Terri’s career spanned some 15 years. Compiling a
professional record of 17-7-2, retired from boxing in 2011. With 26
fights and 130 rounds on her resume, Terri also fought in Colorado,
Texas, South Dakota, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, South Korea (twice),
Germany, Australia, deserving the Title of "Road Warrior".
Cruz won her first world title on October 5, 2005, in a unanimous
decision over Heather Percivil. The two fought for the IFBA World
Bantamweight Title.
She made her first defense on November 4, 2006, in Boeum Gun, South
Korea against Eun Young Kim winning the ten-round bout by a split
decision.
Cruz won her second world title by gaining another belt to her arsenal
which was the WIBA Super Bantamweight Title, where she fought Jessica
Mohs winning by a TKO when Mohs was unable to answer the bell after four
rounds.
The success of Terri Cruz outside the boxing ring is now evident with
her 29 year old son Anthony Cruz with whom is a graduate of University
of Virgin Islands College, 22 year old son Moses Cruz, a graduate of
Thornton High School, and daughter Genisis Mestas recently graduated
from Bear Creek High School.
Cruz coming from a family of talented boxers with her father Arturo Cruz
Sr., brother's Arturo Cruz Jr. and Noah Cruz, her sister Brandi
Fernandez and niece Brittany Cruz all are well known names in the
Colorado Boxing Community.
Cruz is Colorado's only female boxer to be recognized by the Sportswomen
of Colorado Twice for her Boxing Achievements, also Colorado's only
First ever Women's World Boxing Champion.
Her other siblings are Tammy Cruz, Marc Cruz and her mother Haze Cruz
was very instrumental in her boxing career, Her mother believed in her
and totally believed in in God and our family.
Moma Cruz was in her corner the night she won her first World Title.
Haze Cruz was the backbone of our family. Today, Terri Dedicates this
Hall of Fame Award to her Mom Haze and May she R.I.P knowing the goals
and the dreams she had for her daughter have come true.
Cruz said, "I also want to give a Special Thanks to my family and
friends, and my trainers Stephen Blea, Steve Mestas, Ricky Lopez Sr.,
and everyone that helped me on this journey, also to Sue Fox and the
IWBHF Board for this Special and Beautiful Induction. God Bless Everyone
and Congratulations to all the Past and Present Hall Inductees."
