Atlantic City, NJ—Undefeated welterweight Ronald Cruz, of Bethlehem, PA, takes on steel-chinned Anges Adjaho, of Buffalo, NY, in a scheduled eight-round contest on Saturday evening, Nov. 19, at Bally’s Atlantic City.
The Cruz-Adjaho match will serve as the semifinal to the 12-round main event which features Garrett Wilson, of Philadelphia, PA, making the first defense of his United States Boxing Association (USBA) cruiserweight title against Chuck Mussachio, of Wildwood, NJ.
The 25-year-old Cruz (pictured) is coming off an impressive fifth-round knockout over Chris Fernandez, of Salt Lake City, UT, on Sept. 9 at the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia, PA. Cruz was scheduled to box Adjaho that evening, but a wrist injury suffered in training forced Adjaho to withdraw.
Cruz’ win over Fernandez followed a string of knockout victories he registered over Doel Carrasquillo and Manuel Guzman, both of Lancaster, PA, Dillett Frederick, of Fort Myers, FL, and Jeremy Bryan, of Passaic, NJ.
A pro since 2009, Cruz is now 14-0, 11 K0s, and ranked by the United States Boxing Association (USBA) at No. 14 and the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) at No. 13.
“I would fight every month if I could,” said Cruz, whose 28-fight amateur career lasted only 13 months, from July, 2007, to August, 2008. As a pro, he has been just as busy, fighting seven times in 2009, three times in 2010 and four times so far in 2011.
Adjaho, 31, is originally from the Republic of Benin in West Africa. He came to the United States in 2006 after winning African titles at junior lightweight and lightweight.
He has not had it easy here, fighting only the best—Antonio DeMarco, Mark Melligen, Brad Solomon, Shawn Porter and Joel Julio. Since turning pro in 2002, Adjaho is 17-6, 9 K0s. He has been stopped once, by DeMarco in nine rounds, when he had to get down to135 pounds after previously fighting at 142.
ABOUT NOV. 19
The Wilson-Mussachio and Cruz-Adjaho fights top a seven-bout card at Bally’s Atlantic City. First fight is 7.30 pm. Tickets priced at $50 and $75 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com and www.ticketmaster.com. Gofightlive.tv will televise the card on the internet. The card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with Bally’s Atlantic City.
