Cruz Stops Morales in Final Round of War in Bethlehem’s Sands Casino
By Ken Hissner at ringside, Doghouse Boxing (Sept 27, 2013)
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-Ronald Cruz- |
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Boxing returned to the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA, by Peltz Boxing. Matchmakers, J Russell Peltz and Brittany Rogers put together a 7 bout card on a Thursday night. A good crowd was in attendance and very vocal throughout!
In the main event Bethlehem’s Ronald Cruz, 19-2 (14), and Alberto Morales, 11-3-1 (8), of Miami, FL, had no feeling out round as both opened up. In the second Cruz took over with over hand rights. In the third Morales had Cruz on the ropes with Cruz jestering he wasn’t hurt. Cruz got away with a left hook on the hip and both continued slugging it out. Again Morales had Cruz on the ropes with Cruz landing body shots in return.
In the fourth both went to war with Cruz occasionally switching to southpaw. In the seventh Cruz had Morales battered and when it looked like he had enough Morales came back. In the eighth Morales was bleeding from the nose but still full of fight. Again Cruz occasionally switched to southpaw. The fans were loving it. In the final round an overhand right dropped Morales. Cruz went right after him landing a right uppercut. Another right hand dropped Morales face first as referee Gary Rosato waved it off at 1:29 of the tenth. Two judges had Cruz ahead 86-85 while a third had Morales ahead 86-85. “I wasn’t happy with my performance and have to listen to my corner more,” said Cruz. Lemuel Indio Rodriguez is the trainer while manager Jim Deoria also works the corner with Joey Eye handling cut’s.
Prior to the main event Peltz Boxing brought in legendary Kronk knockout artist and champion Tommy “Hit Man” Hearnsand one of the hardest hitting heavyweights of all time in Earnie Shavers. Local former champ Larry Holmes and one of his opponents Gerry Cooney were also introduced. A 10 count was given for recent death of former champion Ken Norton.
In a battle of welterweights Easton’s southpaw Arturo Trujillo, 3-0 (1), and Terrell James, 1-1 (0), of Philly gave the fans all they wanted. Halfway through the round James buckled the knees of Trujillo to the shock of the fans. He immediately came back madder than hell. He landed and dared James to do it again. In the second round Trujillo got the attention of James with a straight left to the head. He continued to turn up the heat in taking the round.
In the third Trujillo had his way but in the fourth a right put him on the canvas. Up immediately he came storming back in a wild round. In the fifth James was only able to catch Trujillo once and in return Trujillo was having the best of it. In the final round James was slowing down but at the bell both were landing as referee Clark separated them. Scores were 40-36 twice and 39-37 for Trujillo with dhb 39-37 for the winner.
Heavyweights Bill Marks, 1-1 (0), Allentown, PA and southpaw Dan Pasciolla, 1-1 (0), of Toms River, NJ, showed plenty of action over 4 rounds with Pasciolla suffering a small cut on top of his head in the fourth. Seemed like Marks would easily get the win but the judges didn’t see it that way scoring 39-37 for Pasciolla. DHB had it 39-37 for Marks. Fans did not like the decision.
Camden, NJ, junior lightweight Jason Sosa, 10-1-3 (6), was almost flawless in taking his time breaking down Tyrone Luckey, 5-4 (5), of Middletown, NJ, rocking him with 10 seconds left in first round. Sosa came out in the second with lead rights that couldn’t miss Luckey, then taking it to his body.
A left uppercut followed by a left hook had Luckey trying to land his left hook without much luck. A 5 punch combo ending with a left hook to the mid-section dropped Luckey to his knees motionless. He stayed down for several minutes. The stoppage was at 2:58 of the second as referee Shawn Clark counted him out.
Light welterweight Jerome Rodriguez, 6-0-1 (2), of Allentown, PA, started off orthodox and it cost him and tall and lean Juan Serrano, 3-8-1 (2), Killeen, TX, outhustled Rodriguez. Coming out for the second round Rodriguez was southpaw and started landing with the jab and stuns Serrano. At end of round Rodriguez had Serrano missing half a dozen punches at the bell.
By the fourth Serrano’s nose was bleeding and barely got through the round. In the fifth Rodriguez hit Serrano with everything but the kitchen sink but he kept coming. In the final round Serrano was trying for a knockout as Rodriguez went back to boxing and countering in a close round. Judges had it 60-54, 59-54 as did dhb and 58-54 all for Rodriguez. Gary Rosato was the referee.
In the swing bout Philly’s Joey Dawejko, 8-2-2 (3), defeated Kevin Franklin, 4-7 (2), of Charleston, WV, in a heavyweight over 6 rounds. Dawejko won an easy decision over Franklin after a strong start. Working corner for Dawejko was former Philly boxer Brian McGinley. Scores were 60-54 and 58-56 twice. DHB had it 59-55.
In opening bout super bantamweight Chris Diaz, 1-0 (1), Berlin, NJ, after a close first round opened up on Johnny Portillo, 0-2, Lancaster, PA., dropping Portillo with a right, left right right hand. Right hand dropped him again and a strong flurry of punches dropped Portillo as the referee Shawn Clark waved it off at 2:36 of the second.
Ring announcer Steve Mittman did an excellent job. He is the son of long time announcer Mike Mittman who was at ringside with Holmes doing commentating.
Ken Hissner responds to all his emails at: kenhissner@gmail.com |
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