Tony DeLuca: Boxing Career and Major Results
Tony “Bazooka” DeLuca was a New Hampshire-born American boxer who later fought out of San Diego. BoxRec identifies him as Adam J. Marchulaitis and documents his professional career. His obituary records his birth on July 8, 1962, and death in Chula Vista on October 20, 2012. A 1986 Los Angeles Times profile described his early pro record as 7–1–2 and reported that he had beaten a defending Massachusetts Golden Gloves champion in his third fight.
Regional Champion
DeLuca won the North American Boxing Federation title in August 1989, rallying to defeat Willie Salazar by split decision over 12 rounds. The Los Angeles Times report noted that DeLuca had been knocked down during the bout before he secured the decision.
Challenge Against Michael Carbajal
In February 1990, DeLuca faced Olympic silver medalist Michael Carbajal for the NABF junior-flyweight title. Carbajal won a unanimous 12-round decision in Phoenix. The contemporary fight report described it as Carbajal’s first professional title.
Career Record
DeLuca continued competing into 1991. The Los Angeles Times reported that he lost a split decision to Edgar Decena that August and listed his record at 17 wins, six losses and three draws. BoxRec’s profile provides the broader career record.
That title win set up a tougher defense six months later. Carbajal, an Olympic silver medalist, took the NABF belt by unanimous decision in Phoenix, giving DeLuca’s best-known run a clear arc: a comeback title victory followed by a loss to a future world champion.
Sources
Career records and reporting: boxrec.com.
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
