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BAM on Boxing Boxing in Bethlehem (Also June 25th Results)
July 1, 2011 Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
The little town of Bethlehem is excited! They have their very own boxing prospect, undefeated welterweight Ronald Cruz, and he headlines Friday night July 1 at the beautiful Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. If memory serves, the city has not hosted a professional boxing card in a long time. The people of the little town are getting ready to throw their hats into the ring for their hometown fighter.
Talk about pressure, Cruz is under it. It’s his first main event, his first 10-round fight, his first fight at home. The distractions of being at home--self-promoting the fight, selling tickets, combined with a new training regime to prepare him for a 10-round bout--are just the tip of the pressure iceberg.
The 24-year-old Cruz (pictured above) faces hard-hitting Doel Carrasquillo, of Lancaster, PA, a guy who will fight anybody, any place, any time. He has boxed 11 (soon-to-be 12) undefeated fighters. Carrasquillo likes to take chances and his record (15-17-1, 13 K0s) shows it.
On the importance of this fight, Cruz said: “Doel Carrasquillo needs to win to make a statement. I need to win to make my own statement. That's what makes the fight interesting. We won’t be in there to play.”
Cruz (12-0, 9 K0s) is right; they won’t be in there to play. Carrasquillo is a fighter who will be looking to trade bombs. He is a warrior itching for a fight.
Carrasquillo is battle-tested and experienced, fighting high-quality prospects along the East Coast. He has an iron chin and heavy hands. He is coming off the most important win of his career, a third-round knockout over Denis Douglin, (12-0, 8 K0s), of Marlboro, NJ, on Feb. 28 in Salisbury, MD. Last year, he knocked out Jorge Melendez (19-2-2, 19 K0s), in the loser’s Puerto Rico backyard.
If you like risk-takers, Carrasquillo is your man. The 38-year-old veteran lost to unbeaten Philadelphians Mike Jones and Steve Upsher Chambers, as well as to lefty Alex Perez, of Newark, NJ. He also fought Tim Coleman, Mike Arnaoutis and Bayan Jargal. Each of these fighters moved onto bigger and better things after beating Carrasquillo and that is exactly what Cruz is hoping to do.
On top of the pressure to win the biggest fight of his brief career, Cruz has personal pressure. This week will mark 10 years since he lost his older brother, Raymond “Jay” Cruz. He will be fighting in his brother’s memory, looking to include Bethlehem in his success. Cruz has a big heart inside and outside the ring. Neither illness nor injury nor personal problems seem to prevent him from fighting.
We can expect to see a more experienced Cruz on Friday. Trainer Lemuel Rodriguez has had Cruz sparring with several fighters. Cruz drives to Philadelphia to get work with Mike Jones and junior middleweight prospect Julian Williams. I am looking forward to seeing the result of all his hard work.
Saturday June 25 in Philly Excitement was what the fans wanted and excitement was what they got last Saturday night at the South Philly Arena.
Light-heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins and legendary welterweight and middleweight contender Stanley “Kitten” Hayward were ringside to see the local up-and-coming fighters. They picked a perfect night to make an appearance.
Welterweight Mike Jones (pictured above) did exactly as expected. He made short work of Mexico’s Raul Munoz, easily disposing of him in the second round. Jones looked calm during the first round, then landed some body shots that made Munoz uncomfortable. Jones got serious in the second round and again dug into Munoz's body. I thought those punches would end the fight but Jones opted for a hard right hand to the head to close out the night in dramatic fashion.
Philadelphia welterweights Phil McCants and Kaseem Wilson fought with heart. Wilson was slightly busier and more composed and gave everything he had, but McCants was awarded a majority six-round decision, perhaps due to his aggressive tactics. The fight could have gone either way.
Lightweights Osnel Charles, of Atlantic City, and Anthony Flores, of Philadelphia, shut their Facebook- talking mouths and went to war. Charles kept his word and knocked out Flores in the first round with one dramatic right hand. Flores was out for several minutes but managed to walk out of the ring. He went to the hospital but was released shortly afterward. Keep an eye out for Charles; he gets better with each fight. His boastful attitude will continue to set the stage and gain attention for him down the road.
Philadelphia bantamweight Miguel Cartagena showcased his skills and showboated a bit. The 18-year-old prospect knocked out Jaime Gonzalez, of Aguado, Puerto Rico, in the second round. Cartagena’s attitude has carried over from the amateurs; his cocky tendencies grab fans attention. Inside the ring Cartagena is a rumbler; outside the ring he is a gentleman.
In other results: In six-rounders featuring out-of-town talent, super flyweights Jose Rivera and Angel Cruz boxed to a draw in an exciting bout…Junior middleweight Glen Tapia scored a decision over Taronze Washington…Welterweight Yordenis Ugas out-pointed Kenny Abril…Super bantamweight Mike Oliver earned a decision over Felipe Almanza.
- Press Release from Peltz Boxing - Photos courtesy of Peltz Boxing
Subject to change
(6/28/11) |
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