In the co-main event of Ruiz vs Ortiz, top lightweight contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (24-2-1, 17 KOs) delivered a standout knockout over veteran contender Eduardo Ramirez (27-3-3, 12 KOs). in the second round of their matchup.
Already a fan favorite after giving three-division world champion Gervonta Davis all he could handle in loss at this very arena last December, Mexico City’s Cruz entered the ring with high approval as he looked for another win. .
isaac cross
“I was ready to win at all costs, for my family, and what better way to win than here in front of all the great fans in Los Angeles,” Cruz said.
Midway through the second round, Davis showed off his fight-changing power, which has helped him become a fan favorite in Los Angeles and beyond. Cruz first connected flush with a big left hook around a Ramirez jab, sending Ramirez to the canvas hard.
While Ramirez was able to get to his feet, Cruz pushed forward, sensing his moment to end the fight.
Using a feint right hand, Ramirez caught Cruz clean with another left hook and followed up with a solid right hand to score a second knockdown.
This time, referee Jack Reiss immediately stepped in and stopped the fight at 2:27 of the round.
“I lost and I have to accept that,” Ramirez said. “I will get better and move on. I felt like I was fighting well, and then everything suddenly changed.
“That’s just boxing. Now I’m going to rest, recover and plan my next moves. But I’ll come back. You can count on that.”
In his post-fight interview with FOX Sports’ Heidi Androl, Cruz stated his intention to rematch WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, who was sitting ringside.
“We want the rematch with Gervonta Davis,” Cruz said. “That’s what these fans want. I promised the knockout tonight and we did it.”
Abner Mares vs. Miguel Flores
In his first fight in four years, former three-division world champion Abner Mares (31-3-2, 15 KOs) faced Miguel Flores (25-4-1, 12 KOs) to a thrilling majority draw after 10 rounds. in their lightweight matchup.
Mares got off to a strong start on his return to the ring, landing a series of sharp right hands early in the second round that brought his Southern California hometown crowd to their feet as their hometown hero landed 42 in-frame punches.
A world champion at bantamweight, super bantamweight and featherweight throughout his career, Mares believed he had done enough to win the fight.
“It had been more than four years, so it was a little bit out of time and slow,” Mares said. “But I felt good and I thought I was landing the most powerful punches every time.”
Although Mares had a 151 to 124 advantage in punches, the two fighters were even at 90 to 90 in punches landed during rounds three to 10. His improvement in the second half of the fight was enough for victory in Flores’ eyes. .
“It was a good fight and obviously I thought I got it done,” Flores said. “I know we’re in his hometown, and he’s a veteran, so he is who he is.
“He was trying to shoot me, but I was catching most of it. He gave me a couple of good shots early on, but I felt like I was in control after the fourth round.”
late finish
Flores had his best rounds in the last two frames, sweeping the ninth and tenth in all three cards to clinch the tie.
The raucous 10th round left fans on their feet with both fighters raising their hands in victory before scores were read out 95-95 twice and 96-94 for Mares.
“It was a great atmosphere,” Flores said. “It’s hard not to get carried away by the crowd. I know they were cheering me on at the end too.
“This leaves me in a great position. We got a draw against a three-division world champion, so it leaves a good taste in your mouth.”
“After four years, I did enough to beat a little kid and an active fighter,” Mares said.
“My performance speaks for itself. The crowd was happy and it felt good to be home. I felt like I won, but it is what it is. The judges saw a draw.”
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