Terri Lynn Cruz is a World Title winning professional boxer from Raton, New Mexico. Cruz began her professional boxing career in Denver, Colorado and was a professional boxer for over fifteen years. Before retiring in 2011, Cruz boxed in Colorado, Texas, South Dakota, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, South Korea, Germany, and Australia. With a total of 26 fights and 130 rounds, she retired with a professional record of 17-7-2.

Growing up in New Mexico, Cruz was raised in a family with many talented boxes. Cruz grew up in the Colorado Boxing Community, witnessing her father, Arturo Cruz Sr., box professionally in her childhood. Along with her father, two of Cruz’s brothers, her sister, and her niece are all involved in and respected in the boxing community. Not only did Cruz have the support of other boxers in her family, but Cruz also had the unwavering support of her other two siblings and her mother, Haze Cruz, who were instrumental in her success as a professional boxer. When Cruz was inducted into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame, she dedicated her award to her mother who supported Cruz in reaching her goals and dreams.

Cruz’s induction into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame was well-earned. Cruz won her first world title in October of 2005 over Heather Percivil where she was awarded the IFBA World Bantamweight Title. The next year, Cruz won her first defense after a ten-round fight against Eun Young Kim in South Korea. She won her second world title in September of 2008. She won by a TKO against Jessica Mohs, earning her the WIBA Super Bantamweight Title. Because of her achievements, Cruz has become the first woman in Colorado to be a Women’s Boxing Champion and the only female boxer to be recognized twice by the Sportswomen of Colorado.

Cruz is not only an inspiration in the boxing world but in her family as well. Cruz is the proud mother of three children, her two sons Anthony and Moses and her daughter Genesis. She has cared for her disabled uncle for years, and she has helped her nieces since they were eight years old to pursue and succeed in their own boxing careers. Cruz has also volunteered her time to help support the fight against cancer and work with Colorado WBC Cares events that benefit amateur boxers and victims of cancer.