| |
|
|
Juan Carlos Burgos vs.
Cristobal Cruz
Headlines Feb. 24 On ESPN2
In the 10-round main event at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in
Dover, Delaware, on Friday, February 24, WBC Silver super
featherweight champion Juan Carlos Burgos, 28-1 with 19
knockouts, of Tijuana, B.C., Mexico, will make his first
defense of the title against former IBF featherweight world
champion Cristobal Cruz, 39-12-3 with 23 knockouts, also of
Tijuana.
Thompson Promotions president Ken Thompson said, “This
should be another step in the career of Juan Carlos Burgos
to get the coveted green belt. He tried once against
Hasegawa but felt short, now he is on the right path to make
his dream come true. Cristobal Cruz is a formidable foe and
will challenge the grit of our future champion Juan Carlos
Burgos, but we are confident he will have a magnificent
night.”
The fight card was originally scheduled to be in southern
California, but was recently moved to Dover. Juan Carlos
Burgos said, “I heard we changed venues through my managers
and promoters. All I really want is to show the fans on the
east or west coast that I am one of the best boxers out
there. I know Cruz extremely well - we have even sparred a
number of times here in Tijuana - but my mission is to get
him out of there and proudly defend my WBC Silver belt.”
Burgos, 25 years old, won the vacant WBC Silver title with
an upset 10-round decision against previously undefeated
Puerto Rican prospect Luis Cruz in his last fight on
November 11. Currently ranked WBC No. 2, WBA No. 4, WBO No.
4, and IBF No. 6, he has won three fights in a row since his
only loss in a WBC featherweight world title challenge
against Hozumi Hasegawa in November, 2010 – Juan gave a
tremendous effort in a fast-paced, exciting battle, but lost
by 12-round decision on Hasegawa’s home turf in Nagoya,
Japan.
The event is being promoted by Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions
and Thompson Promotions. The main event and co-featured
bouts will be televised live on ESPN’s “Friday Night
Fights.”
|
|
|
