THE Andy Cruz period obtained beneath means at Masonic Temple, as the beginner sensation received his professional debut in decisive vogue, outpointing former contender Juan Carlos Burgos over 10 rounds. The sturdy Burgos, who had by no means been stopped in 45 contests, saved his proud file for sturdiness intact however was shutout on the scorecards of judges Rosemary Gross, Gerald White and Dave DeJonge (every of whom had it 100-90). Ansel Stewart refereed.
Perhaps there was a small contact of disappointment in that Cruz was unable to do what others, like Mikey Garcia and Devin Haney, had did not but when a spotlight reel knockout was the aim then absolutely the cussed gatekeeper from Tijuana wouldn’t have been summoned.
Cruz, 28, is trying to take the categorical practice to a world title. Whether he’s prepared proper now’s debatable however, by going 10 rounds and being recent at the finish, the Cuban at the very least proved that going the championship distance as an expert shouldn’t be an issue.
By the third spherical it was Cruz wanting like a seasoned professional. Burgos, who had received solely 4 of his earlier 13 moving into, focused the physique however his efforts to assault waned as the match progressed. Cruz’s coach, Bozy Ennis, excitedly advised his protege at the finish of the fifth, “you can stop him” however the materialisation of such optimism by no means actually regarded seemingly. Later, Ennis would lose observe of which spherical it was in a small case of nerves.
Cruz overwhelmed Burgos with an assortment of blows all through. As a end result, a few of Burgos’ punches could have deliberately strayed low, reminiscent of in the tenth when the crown jewels of Cruz got here beneath hearth. But Cruz saved his poise, his mood and his stream.
To summise, Andy Cruz is already a think about the light-weight division.
Andy Cruz (Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
Some may take offence to the match of a debutant being the lead on this report when there was a girls’s world title combat on show. However, the actuality is that super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner’s contest didn’t have the similar anticipation as Cruz’s. But credit score Baumgardner with delivering a wonderful efficiency in avenging her solely profession defeat, which had taken place in 2018, to Greece’s Christina Linardatou.
In the first, fourth, and eighth rounds, Detroit’s Baumgardner opened up with massive blows, however for the most half boxed inside herself. Linardatou moved ahead however was by no means capable of wage a significant assault. When all was stated and carried out, judges Katealia Chambers (99-91), Fred Fluty (98-92), and Rosemary Gross (98-92) all voted for the champion with scores that advised the proper story. Afterwards, promoter Eddie Hearn said his intention to match Baumgardner with Amanda Serrano subsequent.
As a facet notice, it was introduced that this might be referee Frank Garza’s ultimate combat and he can be retiring after having served 40 years as a 3rd man. In giant half, Garza’s profession has been controversy-free; the signal of a very good referee.
Heavyweight fringe contender Jermaine Franklin is finest recognized for his resolution defeats to Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua in the UK however obtained again in the profitable column in opposition to Mexico’s Issac Munoz, profitable by unanimous 10 spherical resolution (99-91 and two scores of 100-90). Garza refereed.
Franklin from Saginaw, Michigan, moved ahead and had a excessive work-rate. Munoz, who had by no means misplaced earlier than, punched sporadically, hoping to catch Franklin with a hurtful blow. His physique language usually betrayed that hope, nonetheless, and made it considerably shocking that he lasted the course.
A stable win for Franklin who appears to be like like he’s constructing on the losses to Whyte and Joshua quite than regressing from them.
Detroit’s Ja’Rico O’Quinn and Venezuela’s Carlos Mujica engaged in a spirited 10-rounder that was shut sufficient to have been scored both means. The native boxer was awarded a unanimous resolution by margins of 96-94, 97-93 and a completely unacceptable 100-90 (from choose Chambers). Scoring a combat is subjective however to rule that Mujica didn’t win a spherical was baffling.
Grand Rapids prospect Joseph Hicks went the distance for the first time in his profession, profitable unanimously over six rounds in opposition to Mexico’s Ramses Agaton. All scores have been 60-54.
The Verdict – Cruz gets a sizeable ball rolling whereas Baumgardner rights an previous mistaken.
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