Round Up: Cruz Wins by Knockout

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, N.J.

12 Rds., Featherweights

YURIORKIS GAMBOA, 20-0, 16 KOs, Miami vs.

DANIEL PONCE DE LEON, 41-3, 34 KOs, Huntington Park, Calif.

UNDERCARD

FIGHT: LUIS CRUZ, 18-0, 14 KOs, Las Piedras, Puerto Rico vs ANTONIO DAVIS, 28-6, 13 KOs, Atlanta, Ga.

DIVISION:  Super Featherweights – 10 Rounds

RESULT: Cruz Wins BY KO in the Sixth

DETAIL:  Cruz was, well, cruising in this fight. He put on a straight up clinic, deploying a variety of shots which left Davis dazed and confused for most of the rounds. Cruz’s most effective weapon was the uppercut; he used it to plant Davis twice. The first knock-down-by-uppercut came in the fifth, when Cruz hit Davis right on the chin, dropping him on his butt. After surviving the count, Davis hung on, only to get tatted by Cruz, who was landing at will by this point.

Davis never really recovered. His mouth was badly bloodied, and he looked shaky – his corner appeared ready to throw in the towel on several occasions. Indeed, just when it appeared they might step in and rescue their fighter, Cruz did the job for them by landing a brutally efficient uppercut that knocked Davis out cold. That sound you heard? A room full of fans watching a potential star do his worst to be the best.

Keep your eye on Cruz.