Cruz won the World Boxing Association (WBA) and lineal featherweight title by defeating Barry McGuigan on June 23, 1986 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, in a 15-round unanimous decision before 10,200 fans. Cruz's win was something of an upset, as he was a replacement for the injured Fernando Sosa."Cruz Looking to Learn", Northwest Herald, Woodstock, Illinois, pg. 22, 6 March 1987 The bout was a grueling, fast-paced brawl in the sweltering 110-degree heat of the outdoor ring. Another factor in the upset was that Cruz was rated only the ninth featherweight in the world by the WBA; McGuigan led the early betting 6 to 1. McGuigan hit the canvas three times, twice in the final fifteenth round from a furious assault by Cruz. After the bout, McGuigan was hospitalized overnight for a mild concussion, and was also affected by severe dehydration from the excessive heat in the arena.McGuigan was dehydrated severely in "Small Boxers Look Large As they Enter the Hall of Fame", Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona, pg. 149, 14 January 2005Sneddon, Steve, "Battered, Proud McGuigan Keeps Wit About Him", Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno, Nevada, pg. 17, 25 June 1986 The bout was proclaimed The Ring magazine's 1986 Fight of the Year.Sneddon, Steve, Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno, Nevada, pg. 9, 24 June 1986 Cruz received some training guidance for the bout with McGuigan from Don Gorman, who had him spar with one of his trainees, Troy Dorsey, future 1991 International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Featherweight Champion. Dorsey's aggressive style was similar to McGuigan's, and may have aided Cruz in his upset win.Gustkey, Earl, "Boxing", Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, pg. 865, 11 August 1991
