QUINCY, Mass. (March 8, 2023) – The Cruz brothers – Isaiah and Calixto – are scheduled to fight together for the first time as professionals this Saturday night on the “Springfield Championship Boxing 2” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at MassMutural Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“Springfield Championship Boxing 2” will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com.

Junior lightweight Isaiah “Baby Warrior” Cruz (5-0, 3 KOs) will meet Akeem “Action Action” Jackson (6-5, 5 KOs) in the 6-round co-featured event, while his older brother, super lightweight Calixto Cruz (1-0), faces Ahmad Cherry (0-2) in a 4-rounder.

Of course, both of the Cruz brothers are excited to be fighting at home in Springfield. They did fight together on a pro card, back on October 10, 2018, at Foxwoods Resort Casino, when Calixto made his pro debut but suffered a shoulder injury, but Isaiah fought as an amateur.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Isaiah’s pro career is off to a very promising start in contrast to his brother, who is 3 years older than Isaiah. They are both trained by their father, Caesar.

“It feels great to be fighting in the co-feature, especially at home,” said Isaiah, who recently signed a GCP promotional contract. “It’s another step. I can’t wait to be in the main event. That’s the goal. I don’t know too much about my opponent other than he’s tall and has a long reach. I’m used to chopping down trees, so I’m good.

“This (fighting on same pro card with his brother) is something we’ve always wanted to do. We both have a good fanbase and we come from a big family. I’m used to fighting first, so this will be a nice experience for me. I definitely want to walk out with my brother.”

Calixto was sidelined after suffering a dislocated shoulder in his pro debut, then COVID-19 hit and Calixto was unable to get a physical until 9 months ago. But he damaged his rotator cuff during a sparring session, which led to 2 more months of inactivity leading up to surgery, which resulted in 2 months of therapy.

Calixto, to say the least, is thrilled to be fighting again, especially with his brother.

“It’s amazing that this is the first time we’re fighting together as pros after growing up together in the amateurs,” Calixto remarked. “It’s going to be a good experience. This is going to be a good show and I’m ready to represent Puerto Rico.

“Me and my brother are excited. I haven’t been in the ring for so long. My family and friends haven’t seen me fight in years and they’re all excited for my comeback, especially fighting on the same card with my brother.”

In the 8-round main event, undefeated Massachusetts State Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (10-0, 6 KOs), of Holyoke (MA), will make his first title defense versus unbeaten challenger Kenny “Lionheart” Larson (6-0, 5 -0 KOs), of Salem (MA).

Russian light heavyweight prospect Ali Izmailov (9-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Detroit, will put his undefeated pro record on the line in an 8-round match against Ariel “El Fenomena” Armando Basconcel (13-4-1, 12 KOs), of Argentina.

Impressive Dominican junior middleweight prospect Carlos Castillo (6-0, 4 KOs) is matched with Alfred Keenan Raymond (1-5-1) in a 6-rounder.

Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round bouts are Springfield welterweight Ian “Dynamite” Garcia (2-0-1, 1 KO) vs. “The Outlaw” Ryan Venable (3-16), Springfield junior welterweight Carlos Gonzalez (4-0, 4 KOs) vs. Richard “Hit To Hard” Barnard (1-10-1), and Springfield junior welterweight Liz Humphries (0-1-1) vs. Sarah “Switch Kick” Click (0-2-1).

Card subject to change.

Tickets range between $203.00 and $48.00 and are available to purchase online at https://www.massmutualcenter.com/events/detail/springfield-championship-boxing-2 or from any of the participating boxers.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:

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Twitter: @Granite_Chin

QUINCY, Mass. (January 4, 2023) – Strengthening its objective to make Western Mass. its power base, Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) has announced the signing of a pair of promising prospects from Springfield, super featherweight Isaiah “Baby Warrior” Cruz (5-0, 3 KOs) and super lightweight Ian “Dinamite” Garcia (2-0-1, 1 KO).

Granite Chin’s stable already includes several Western Mass. boxers including Massachusetts Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (10-0, 6 KOs), of Holyoke; Massachusetts Light Heavyweight Champion Steve Sumpter (7-0, 6 KOs), of Pittsfield, and his brother, heavyweight Quintin Sumpter (5-1, 4 KOs); and undefeated junior middleweight prospect Carlos Castillo (6-0. 4 KOs).

“I’m thrilled to be part of Isaiah’s and Ian’s career,” GCP President Chris Traietti said. “Both guys have a ton of talent and are genuinely good guys. It is always humbling when young fighters trust you to help guide their careers. I take that responsibility seriously and won’t let them down, or any of my fighters for that matter down. There are a ton of quality fighters out in Springfield, but nobody has taken the time to try to build a home for boxing there. I intend to change that. I mean it, sincerely, within 2 years Springfield is going to be the spot for the best shows in New England and Granite Chin will be the one running them.”

Cruz, 20, had 90 amateur bouts and competed in numerous national tournaments. He was rated as high as No. 6 in the country. He is friends with Castillo and also knows Whitley and the Sumpter brothers.

(L-R) — Isaiah Cruz, promoter Chris Traietti & Isaiah’s father, Cesar Cruz

“We’ve always had talent here,” Cruz noted, “but we didn’t have the connections – promoters and managers – to get noticed and fight our way out of here. This is a great opportunity for me (to sign with (GCP). I had a few opportunities, but this was the best. I signed with Granite Chin because Chris (Traietti) is not going to rush my career. We’re going to take it step-by-step. I’ll also get a belt in my second year and I’m going to be fighting at home.

“I can’t wait to fight again in Springfield on March 11th (at MassMutual in Springfield). There’s a lot of talent on this show and our fans will be hyped up. Granite Chin will succeed in promoting shows in Springfield. We all have a lot of fans here.”

The 24-year-old Garcia is a native of Puerto Rico, who moved to Springfield in 2000. During the pandemic, Garcia traveled to Tijuana to make his pro debut, which resulted in a 4-round majority draw on the road against a local opponent.

(L-R) – Promoter Chris Traietti & Ian Garcia

“I agree that there is a lot of talent in Western Mass.,” Garcia noted, “but we had no outlet to show our skills. And there are a lot of young kids coming up, too, who will be able to get to the next level of boxing. They will get better because of shows held in Springfield. There are a lot of hungry kids here, especially me.

“I signed with Granite Chin because Chris is going to be a great help for me. My fans want to see me fight, and now they can because Granite Chin is promoting shows here.”

Cruz and Garcia were both winners on Granite Show’s inaugural show in Springfield this past November 19th at MassMutual.

The upbeat continues as Granite Chin Promotions clearly invests in Western Mass.

INFORMATION:

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Twitter: @Granite_Chin