Fidel Maldonado Jr. (12-0, 10 knockouts) of Albuquerque, N.M., prevailed over Puerto Rican Eric “La Maquina” Cruz (13-8-3, 13 KOs) on an eight-round unanimous decision in the entertaining main event of Friday’s Golden Boy/Cavazos Boxing show at Pharr Events Center.
With the victory, televised on Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo Tecate,” Maldonado, a Golden Boy fighter, claimed Cruz’s WBC Youth World lightweight title. It was Cruz’s first title defense since capturing the belt in July by defeating Guillermo Sanchez in Puerto Rico.
“It was a war,” local promoter Anthony Cavazos said of the main event. “Maldonado dropped Cruz with his first punch, a left, in the opening round, and from there, the two of them just went at it for eight rounds. They’re both warriors.
“We had a great turnout — more than 2,000 fans,” Cavazos added. “I’d just like to thank everyone for their support on behalf of Golden Boy and Cavazos Boxing.”
Welterweight Jorge Suarez (5-0, three KOs) of San Antonio defeated Larry Smith (10-7, seven KOs) of Dallas on a six-round unanimous decision in the co-main event.
Other winners on the card were welterweight Raul Tovar (9-5-1, three KOs) of Mission with a second-round technical knockout of Miguel Pizarro (2-5, one KO) of San Antonio, junior welterweight Juan Reyna (3-0, two KOs) of Brownsville with a fourth-round TKO of Juan Ovalle (4-6-1, three KOs) of Mercedes and featherweight Gilbert Cancino (1-0) of Brownsville with a four-round majority decision against Hector Gutierrez (0-2) of Mission.
In another undercard bout, bantamweight Joey “Rocket” Garcia (0-0-1) of Weslaco battled Javier Rodriguez (0-0-1) of San Antonio to a four-round draw.

Roy Hess writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com

GOLDEN BOY SHOW DELIVERS MAIN EVENT SLUGFEST is a post from: Cavazos Boxing Promotions

PHARR – Both Erick Cruz and Fidel Maldonado have one thing in common; both plan on leaving the Rio Grande Valley with the WBC Youth World Lightweight Title. However, only one of them will have the opportunity of taking the title home.
Cruz (13-7, 13 KO’s) will defend his title against undefeated Golden Boy prospect Maldonado (11-0, 10 KO’s) in the 8-round main event of the Solo Boxeo Tecate show Friday night at the Pharr Events Center sponsored by Golden Boy Promotions and Cavazos Boxing.
Cruz was originally scheduled to face Weslaco native and fellow Golden Boy prospect Omar Figueroa (13-0-1, 10 KO’s) in a highly anticipated rematch in which Figueroa won by unanimous decision in June of this year. However, Figueroa injured his leg in Philadelphia last weekend and was not able to fight which disappointed Cruz.
“When I heard the news that Omar was not going to be able to fight, I was extremely disappointed and mad,” said Cruz. “I trained very hard for the rematch and all I had on my mind was avenging the loss.”
“However, my main focus right now is Maldonado and I can guarantee it’s going to be a fight for the ages.”
“But one thing I can guarantee is that the belt is coming back to Puerto Rico with me.”
Maldonado said he is very excited about getting an opportunity to face Cruz for the title and also wants to take the belt home with him.
“I never expected to get an opportunity like this. But I am excited about the opportunity to face Cruz for the title,” said Maldonado. “I have seen him fight before and plan on breaking him down piece by piece.”
“People say that there is going to be a knockout on Friday night. But one thing is for sure it’s not going to be me who is going to get knocked out. That WBC Youth title is coming home with me to New Mexico.”

CRUZ, MALDONADO PLAN ON TAKING WBC TITLE HOME is a post from: Cavazos Boxing Promotions

Omar is coming off a spectacular TKO win over John Figueroa of Puerto Rico on the Showtime event held on April 23, 2011 headlining Vic Darchinyan vs. Yonnhy Perez.

A two-fisted banger who has earned the nickname “Panterita” for his ability to destroy any opponent in his path, 21-year-old Omar Figueroa (11-0-1, 9 KO’s) has blasted his way to nine knockout victories since his professional debut in 2008.

The hard hitting undercard will also feature local favorites Raul Tovar (8-5-1, 3 KO’s), Juan Lucio (4-1-1, 2KO’s), Oscar Tovar Jr. (1-0), Juan Reyna (Pro Debut), Pablo Padilla (Pro Debut).

Figueroa which headlines a night of world-class professional boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Cavazos Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at the State Farm Arena at 6:00pm, the first bell rings at 7:00pm and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 11:30pm ET / 8:30pm PT (10:30pm CT). Fans at home can also be part of the action by voting for the fighter in the main event who displayed the most character during the telecast by sending a text message to 55333.

Tickets priced at $20, $50, $70 and $100 (plus service fees) on sale now and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or at the State Farm Arena Box Office. For VIP seating and table information, contact Anthony Cavazos at (956) 369-0742.

OMAR FIGUEROA HEADLINES AT STATE FARM ARENA ON JUNE 17, 2011 is a post from: Cavazos Boxing Promotions