[3] Cruz in his first defense knocked out Benito Badilla of Chile in eight rounds, at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan.
[4][5] When Gómez 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,[6] by decision in 15; after dropping him in round eight; also in San Juan.
[6] In his first defense at his home country, Cruz put his title on the line in August 1983 against Nicaraguan challenger Cleo Garcia at Santo Domingo.
With a defense against Puerto Rican Victor Luvi Callejas looming ahead,[7] Cruz went to Milan in February 1984, and, while defending his crown against Italian Loris Stecca, was stopped in round 12, therefore losing the WBA world junior featherweight title.