THE Andy Cruz period obtained below manner at Masonic Temple, because the novice sensation received his professional debut in decisive trend, 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 report 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.
Maybe there was a small contact of disappointment in that Cruz was unable to do what others, like Mikey Garcia and Devin Haney, had didn’t but when a spotlight reel knockout was the aim then certainly the cussed gatekeeper from Tijuana wouldn’t have been summoned.
Cruz, 28, is trying to take the specific prepare to a world title. Whether or not he’s prepared proper now could be debatable however, by going 10 rounds and being recent on the finish, the Cuban on the very least proved that going the championship distance as an expert shouldn’t be an issue.
By the third spherical it was Cruz trying like a seasoned professional. Burgos, who had received solely 4 of his earlier 13 stepping into, focused the physique however his efforts to assault waned because the match progressed. Cruz’s coach, Bozy Ennis, excitedly instructed his protege on the finish of the fifth, “you may cease him” however the materialisation of such optimism by no means actually seemed doubtless. Later, Ennis would lose monitor of which spherical it was in a small case of nerves.
Cruz overwhelmed Burgos with an assortment of blows all through. Because of this, a few of Burgos’ punches might have deliberately strayed low, comparable to within the tenth when the crown jewels of Cruz got here below hearth. However Cruz saved his poise, his mood and his circulate.
To summise, Andy Cruz is already an element within 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 struggle on show. Nevertheless, the truth is that super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner’s contest didn’t have the identical anticipation as Cruz’s. However credit score Baumgardner with handing over a superb efficiency in avenging her solely profession defeat, which had taken place in 2018, to Greece’s Christina Linardatou.
Within the first, fourth, and eighth rounds, Detroit’s Baumgardner opened up with massive blows, however for probably the most half boxed inside herself. Linardatou moved ahead however was by no means in a position to wage a significant assault. When all was mentioned and performed, judges Katealia Chambers (99-91), Fred Fluty (98-92), and Rosemary Gross (98-92) all voted for the champion with scores that instructed the fitting story. Afterwards, promoter Eddie Hearn said his intention to match Baumgardner with Amanda Serrano subsequent.
As a facet be aware, it was introduced that this could be referee Frank Garza’s remaining struggle and he can be retiring after having served 40 years as a 3rd man. Largely, Garza’s profession has been controversy-free; the signal of a superb referee.
Heavyweight fringe contender Jermaine Franklin is greatest identified for his determination defeats to Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua within the UK however obtained again within the profitable column towards Mexico’s Issac Munoz, profitable by unanimous 10 spherical determination (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 seems like he’s constructing on the losses to Whyte and Joshua slightly 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 manner. The native boxer was awarded a unanimous determination by margins of 96-94, 97-93 and a completely unacceptable 100-90 (from decide Chambers). Scoring a struggle is subjective however to rule that Mujica didn’t win a spherical was baffling.
Grand Rapids prospect Joseph Hicks went the space for the primary time in his profession, profitable unanimously over six rounds towards Mexico’s Ramses Agaton. All scores have been 60-54.
The Verdict – Cruz will get a sizeable ball rolling whereas Baumgardner rights an previous incorrect.
