http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/cristobal_cruz/73861 Recent articles about Cristobal Cruz en-us At 30, Art Hovhannisyan (14-0-2, 8 KOs) is a six-year pro who remains highly regarded even though he has fought only 75 rounds in his career - an average of about 12 a year. This Friday, July 20, in what should be an exciting main event on ShoBox: The New Generation, the Glendale, Calif.-based Armenian faces always-dangerous, hard-hitting former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Miguel Acosta (29-5-2, 23 KOs) at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif. Right here, check out an interview with Hovhannisyan, and some more background on his fight against Acosta. Hovhannisyan will be making his first start in 11 months and second in a row against a former world titleholder. In his last outing, he fought a technical draw with ex-International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion Cristobal Cruz in an entertaining bout on Aug. 5, 2011, that was stopped at 2:36 of the fourth round due to a nasty, accidental  head butt that opened a bad cut ... Wed, 18 Jul 2012 19:54:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/interview_with_undefeated_art_hovhannisyan_battles_acosta_on_shobox/11248864 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/interview_with_undefeated_art_hovhannisyan_battles_acosta_on_shobox/11248864 Interview with undefeated Art Hovhannisyan: Battles Acosta on Shobox http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/interview_with_undefeated_art_hovhannisyan_battles_acosta_on_shobox/11248864 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/3/53622fa51341ca637bb9857f263a5f7e7e7d31e7/mini/CHIAPAS_BOX_CRUZ_8811.jpg Former Featherweight Title Challenger Meets Undefeated Junior Lightweight on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights The July 20 edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will feature two top contenders -- Ring Magazine’s No.8 ranked Junior Lightweight Juan Carlos “Mini” Burgos (29-1, 19 KOs) and undefeated Junior Lightweight Cesar “Saba” Vazquez (25-0, 16 KOs) in the 10-round Junior Lightweight main event. Main Event: Mexico’s Burgos, a former Featherweight title challenger, has won his last four fights including a February 10-round unanimous decision on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights over former Featherweight titlist Cristobal Cruz. After that fight, ESPN.com boxing writer Dan Rafael wrote: “The Friday Night Fights main event was a good one in which both fighters had their moments. The 5-foot-10 Burgos, who seemed to tower over the 5-6 Cruz, dropped him to his knees in the sixth round with a left uppercut. Cruz, who suffered a cut over his left in the sixth round,... Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:35:18 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/burgos_vs_vazquez_friday_night_fights_video_preview/11245570 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/burgos_vs_vazquez_friday_night_fights_video_preview/11245570 Burgos vs. Vazquez Friday Night Fights video preview http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/burgos_vs_vazquez_friday_night_fights_video_preview/11245570 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/3/53622fa51341ca637bb9857f263a5f7e7e7d31e7/mini/CHIAPAS_BOX_CRUZ_8811.jpg Two Stars Born on the Same Night! Fortuna and Mago Both Crush Foes in Jaw-Dropping Performances Friday Night Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to congratulate his two budding superstars after their impressive victories at Friday night's "The Moment of Truth" boxing show at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and televised live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. In the night's main event, Sampson Boxing featherweight prospect Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (20-0, 15 KOs) passed the toughest test of his career with flying colors (and leather) by demolishing former IBF Featherweight Champion Cristobal Cruz (39-14, 23 KOs) with a razor sharp left hand at 2:22 of round two. Having been world champion two short years ago and with a resume that included victories over several impressive names, Cruz was supposed to test the 22-year-old southpaw. It didn't go that way. Flashing the brilliant hand speed and thudding power that... Mon, 09 Jul 2012 10:27:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/javier_fortuna_magomed_abdusalamov_make_case_for_bright_future/11182792 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/javier_fortuna_magomed_abdusalamov_make_case_for_bright_future/11182792 Javier Fortuna & Magomed Abdusalamov make case for bright future http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/javier_fortuna_magomed_abdusalamov_make_case_for_bright_future/11182792 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png In an intriguing doubleheader on ESPN Friday Nights from Las Vegas, we learned a couple of new things about a few young fighters that share the oversight of Sampson Lewkowicz, who manages both fighters and is largely responsible for their rise. In the main event, 22-year old Javier Fortuna of the Dominican Republic gave himself a nine-day early birthday present, starching well-traveled Tijuana-based journeyman Cristobal Cruz inside of two rounds in their scheduled 10-round clash. Fortuna (20-0, 15 KOs) bothered Cruz with his power early, dropping him with some wide-swining stuff inside of Cruz's slower unorthodox punches early in the round. Cruz used all the veteran tricks he could in order to remain on his feet, pulling Fortuna to the canvas a number of times and falling to the ground at least once on his own. In the 2nd round, however, Cruz (39-14-3, 23 KOs) was unable to survive his much younger opponent, ultimately having his night ended by a highlight-reel overhand left... Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:02:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/javier_fortuna_aces_cristobal_cruz_test/11170523 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/javier_fortuna_aces_cristobal_cruz_test/11170523 Javier Fortuna Aces Cristobal Cruz Test http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/javier_fortuna_aces_cristobal_cruz_test/11170523 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/3/53622fa51341ca637bb9857f263a5f7e7e7d31e7/mini/CHIAPAS_BOX_CRUZ_8811.jpg Friday Night Fight Results: Fortuna vs. Cruz & Abdusalamov vs. Byarm The two main fights this Friday evening on ESPN's Friday Night Fights each featured a quick, concussive ending. In the co-feature of the evening, undefeated heavyweight phenom Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov took a step up and smashed his opponent to the canvas, and in the headliner, undefeated featherweight prospect Javier Fortuna put forth an explosive display of his skill as he ousted former titleholder Cristobal Cruz. Credit: Sampson Boxing In the Abdusalamov vs. Byarm fight, one thing became clear. If you can't take a punch, or excellently get out of the way of one, you're not going to be able to hold up against Mago. Abdusalamov needed less than 4 minutes to dispatch of Maurice Byarm, a one-loss prospect who was the "A" side of the fight, his only previous loss, to Bryant Jennings not too long ago. But Mago came at him hard and strong, and couldn't miss with his booming s... Fri, 06 Jul 2012 23:55:35 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/fortuna_mago_score_quick_concussive_victories_on_friday_night_fights/11170406 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/fortuna_mago_score_quick_concussive_victories_on_friday_night_fights/11170406 Fortuna & Mago score quick, concussive victories on Friday Night Fights http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/fortuna_mago_score_quick_concussive_victories_on_friday_night_fights/11170406 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/5/d5c023aafa40b8293b8dcf4cc17490dec2880845/mini/CHIAPAS_BOX_CRUZ_0bc1.jpg Weights from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino A final press conference and the pre-fight weigh-ins for the ESPN Friday Night Fights Card at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Friday, July 6 were held on Thursday. Featherweight prospect Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (19-0, 14 KOs) and former IBF Featherweight Champion Cristobal "Lacandón" Cruz (39-13, 23 Kos), as well as co-main event fighters Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov (14-0, 14 KOs) and Maurice "Freight Train" Byarm (13-1-1, 9 KOs) were all respectful but all are determined to emerge victorious. Right here, you can find the complete weigh-in results, photos from the weigh-ins and quotes from the final presser. Javier Fortuna 129 vs. Cristobal Cruz 128 Magomed Abdusalamov 229 vs. Maurice Byarm 239 (USNBC Silver Heavyweight Championship) Rocco Santomauro 124.5 vs. Dewayne Wisdom 125 William Williams 181 vs. Manuel Otero 184 Ronald Gavril 167 vs. Kenneth T Schmitz 169.5 ESPN... Fri, 06 Jul 2012 09:28:24 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/weigh_in_results_for_tonights_fnf_fortuna_vs_cruz_mago_vs_byarm/11164838 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/weigh_in_results_for_tonights_fnf_fortuna_vs_cruz_mago_vs_byarm/11164838 Weigh-in results for tonight’s FNF: Fortuna vs. Cruz, Mago vs. Byarm http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/weigh_in_results_for_tonights_fnf_fortuna_vs_cruz_mago_vs_byarm/11164838 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/3/53622fa51341ca637bb9857f263a5f7e7e7d31e7/mini/CHIAPAS_BOX_CRUZ_8811.jpg Byarm: I Even Impressed Myself This Training Camp! Washington DC (via Philadelphia) heavyweight locomotive Maurice "Freight Train" Byarm (13-1-1, 9 KOs) says he's never had a better training camp than the one he just finished in preparation for his 10-round showdown with Russian southpaw powerhouse Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov (14-0, 14 KOs). The two big men will meet for the WBC United States (USNBC) Silver Heavyweight Championship in the co-main event of the Sampson Boxing and Greg Cohen Promotions show entitled "The Moment of Truth", this Friday, July 6, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and televised live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. In the main event that same night, featherweight prospect Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (19-0, 14 KOs) will take on the toughest opponent of his career when he faces former IBF Featherweight Champion Cristobal Cruz (39-13, 23 KOs). Even though he's coming off his firs... Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:42:46 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/q_a_with_maurice_byarm_freight_train_ready_to_take_on_undefeated_mago/11136956 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/q_a_with_maurice_byarm_freight_train_ready_to_take_on_undefeated_mago/11136956 Q&A with Maurice Byarm: Freight Train ready to take on undefeated Mago http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/q_a_with_maurice_byarm_freight_train_ready_to_take_on_undefeated_mago/11136956 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Gary Shaw Productions in association with Thompson Boxing Promotions will bring another exciting night of professional boxing to the Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif., on July 20, when undefeated Armenian, Art Hovhannisyan (14-0-2, 8 KOs) and Venezuelan, Miguel Acosta (29-5-2, 23 KOs) fight in the 10-round main event. The lightweight bout will be televised live on ShoBox: The New Generation. Known for having power in both hands, Hovhannisyan boosts an undefeated record and a great chin as he's never hit the canvas as a professional or amateur.  In his last fight against former world champion, Cristobal Cruz (39-13-3, 23 KOs), an accidental head butt stopped their bout after a cut over Cruz's right eye was deemed too bad to continue from the referee.  Hovhannisyan will look to rebound with a victory and move up the rankings. "Acosta was on his way to beating Brandon Rios until he ran out of gas," Hovhannisyan said. "Everyone knows he can fight... Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:37:35 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mma/article_external/hovhannisyan_steps_up_in_class_to_meet_miguel_acosta_on_shobox_july_20/11113466 http://network.yardbarker.com/mma/article_external/hovhannisyan_steps_up_in_class_to_meet_miguel_acosta_on_shobox_july_20/11113466 Hovhannisyan steps up in class to meet Miguel Acosta on Shobox July 20 http://www.yardbarker.com/mma/articles/hovhannisyan_steps_up_in_class_to_meet_miguel_acosta_on_shobox_july_20/11113466 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png "A victory (over Cristobal Cruz) would mean that I'm ready for big things and big fights against the world champions." Featherweight magician Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (19-0, 14 KOs) is in heavy preparation for his upcoming showdown with former IBF Featherweight Champion Cristobal Cruz (39-13, 23 KOs) on Friday, July 6, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and televised live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. The 22-year-old southpaw from La Romana, Dominican Republic, is one of the hottest young fighters in the world, coming off his spectacular Friday Night Fights-televised first-round annihilation of Yuandale Evans last April. Fortuna and Cruz will meet in the main event of the Sampson Boxing and Greg Cohen Promotions show entitled "The Moment of Truth", which will also feature Russian heavyweight power puncher Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov (14-0, 14 KOs) defending his WBC United States (USNBC) Silver Heavyweight Champ... Wed, 27 Jun 2012 15:37:23 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/q_a_interview_with_undefeated_featherweight_javier_fortuna/11103674 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/q_a_interview_with_undefeated_featherweight_javier_fortuna/11103674 Q&A interview with undefeated featherweight Javier Fortuna http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/q_a_interview_with_undefeated_featherweight_javier_fortuna/11103674 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png 122 lb. prospect Roman Morales makes ShoBox debutOn July 20th, Gary Shaw Promotions will bring a tripleheader to the esteemed prospect series ShoBox: The New Generation from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif. as confirmed by matchmaker John Beninati. As has been previously reported, the card will be headlined by a 10-round lightweight bout between unbeaten Artyom Hovhannisyan of Glendale, Calif. by way of Armenia against former titleholder Miguel Acosta of Venezuela. The two televised undercard bouts have not been previously reported anywhere. Hovhannisyan (14-0-2, 8 KOs) is coming off a ShoBox televised technical draw against Cristobal Cruz last August and will have been out of the ring nearly a year when he steps into the ring. Prior to that, he had recorded a career best victory over previously unbeaten Archie Ray Marquez in his ShoBox debut, stopping him in the 6th round. Acosta (29-5-2, 23 KOs) is coming off an October loss to Richard Abril in Panama in which Ac... Wed, 27 Jun 2012 15:27:20 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/miguel_acosta_art_hovhannisyan_tops_shobox_tripleheader_july_20/11103686 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/miguel_acosta_art_hovhannisyan_tops_shobox_tripleheader_july_20/11103686 Miguel Acosta-Art Hovhannisyan Tops ShoBox Tripleheader July 20 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/miguel_acosta_art_hovhannisyan_tops_shobox_tripleheader_july_20/11103686 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Juan Carlos Burgos returns on July 20th at The Edgewater Casino in Laughlin, Nevada.  The main event & co-main event will be televised live on ESPN’S Friday Night Fights on ESPN 2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN 3 at 9 p.m. ET. In the ten round main event, former world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos, 29-1 with 19 knockouts of Tijuana, Mexico will look to make it five straight wins when he takes on Cesar Vazquez, 25-0 with 16 knockouts of Mexicali, Mexico in a ten round Super Featherweight bout for the WBO Latino Junior Lightweight Championship. Burgos, 24 years old is ranked No. 2 by the WBO and No. 4 by the IBF and is one of the hottest fighters in the 130 pound division.  Since he came up just short in his title opportunity to the distinguished Hozumi Hasegawa, Burgos has had four signature victories which include wins over previously undefeated Luis Cruz and former world champion Cristobal Cruz.  In the fight with Cristobal Cruz, which took place on February 24th, Burgos claime... Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:32:39 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/juan_carlos_burgos_headlines_friday_night_fights_on_july_20_against_undefeated_cesar_vazquez/11087633 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/juan_carlos_burgos_headlines_friday_night_fights_on_july_20_against_undefeated_cesar_vazquez/11087633 Juan Carlos Burgos headlines Friday Night Fights on July 20 against undefeated Cesar Vazquez http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/juan_carlos_burgos_headlines_friday_night_fights_on_july_20_against_undefeated_cesar_vazquez/11087633 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/3/53622fa51341ca637bb9857f263a5f7e7e7d31e7/mini/CHIAPAS_BOX_CRUZ_8811.jpg Red-hot featherweight prospect Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (19-0, 14 KOs) of La Romana, Dominican Republic, will step in to face former IBF Featherweight Champion Cristobal "Lacandón" Cruz (39-13, 23 KOs) of Chiapas, Mexico, on Friday, July 6, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and televised live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. An injury to original main event participant Marvin Sonsona left an opening on the Sampson Boxing and Greg Cohen Promotions show entitled "The Moment of Truth", which Fortuna and Cruz have eagerly jumped in to fill. "This fight could not have been made without the wonderful assistance of Art Pellulo of Banner Promotions," said an excited Sampson Lewkowicz. "We are having a show called The Moment of Truth and now it truly will be for Javier Fortuna. We are going to see what he can do with a world-class fighter like Cristobal Cruz, who was already in shape for a fight on the 20th. This is g... Fri, 15 Jun 2012 10:14:37 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/javier_fortuna_to_face_cristobal_cruz_on_july_6_fnf_in_vegas/11019122 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/javier_fortuna_to_face_cristobal_cruz_on_july_6_fnf_in_vegas/11019122 Javier Fortuna to face Cristobal Cruz on July 6 FNF in Vegas http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/javier_fortuna_to_face_cristobal_cruz_on_july_6_fnf_in_vegas/11019122 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/3/53622fa51341ca637bb9857f263a5f7e7e7d31e7/mini/CHIAPAS_BOX_CRUZ_8811.jpg Sloppy action accented what was a fairly lackluster Friday Night Fights on ESPN2 last night, as what might have been entertaining match-ups on paper turned out to be a bit underwhelming. But boxing fans looking to FNF for their pre-Saturday warm up have become somewhat accustomed to fights that look better the week before than they wind up being on the night of. Hard-nosed scrapper and former featherweight titlist Cristobol Cruz, who is usually good for a solid effort with his "land what I can" style, was generally out-classed by recent WBC title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos. In place of a firefight, fans instead witnessed Burgos often fighting jumpy and looking to avoid any exchanges. It's not that it was necessarily the incorrect tactic, just that Burgos was unable to sustain much of an offense that wasn't based on waiting for Cruz to attack and countering. Burgos, now 29-1 (19 KO), came forward behind a few jabs early in the 1st and made the visibly sm... Sat, 25 Feb 2012 10:18:32 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/juan_carlos_burgos_outshines_cristobal_cruz_but_only_somewhat/10110625 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/juan_carlos_burgos_outshines_cristobal_cruz_but_only_somewhat/10110625 Juan Carlos Burgos Outshines Cristobal Cruz, But Only Somewhat http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/juan_carlos_burgos_outshines_cristobal_cruz_but_only_somewhat/10110625 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/5/d5c023aafa40b8293b8dcf4cc17490dec2880845/mini/CHIAPAS_BOX_CRUZ_0bc1.jpg Dover Downs may be better known for NASCAR racing on the Monster Mile, but its hotel and casino are playing host to tonight's Friday Night Fights broadcast. Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas are on hand to bring us a card featuring a 130-pound battle between developing talent Juan Carlos Burgos and veteran Cristobal Cruz.Atlas breaks down the battle between Burgos' left hook and Cruz's right hand while doing his usual run of analogies. Bernardo Osuna is in the studio with Timothy Bradley, who will be facing Manny Pacquiao on June 9. Bradley says he's ready for the huge spotlight because he's been preparing for this moment for his whole life. He's excited and ready to give Pacquiao a big fight.Osuna points out the obvious by saying the two of them are very respectful to each other, and Bradley says it's because both of them are humble and classy. He assures viewers that it will be a war once the bell rings.To live action we go, with a scheduled 10-rounder between junior welterweights Ed Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:59:25 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/friday_night_fights_live_blog_22412/10104310 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/friday_night_fights_live_blog_22412/10104310 Friday Night Fights Live Blog - 2/24/12 http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/friday_night_fights_live_blog_22412/10104310 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/5/d5c023aafa40b8293b8dcf4cc17490dec2880845/mini/CHIAPAS_BOX_CRUZ_0bc1.jpg The countdown begins.  In just 9 days, on February 24 Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions will team up to present an exciting fight card at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Dover, Delaware. Scheduled to be televised on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" the main event boasts a 10-round super featherweight match up featuring Tijuana, Mexico's Juan Carlos Burgos (28-1, 19 KOs) versus former IBF featherweight world champion Cristobal Cruz (39-12-3, 23 KOs). This will be Burgos' first defense of his WBC Silver super featherweight title. Credit: Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing We caught up with the Tijuana native; as he gets close to wrap up his preparation. 1.  What do you know about your opponent Cristobal Cruz? Since Cruz is a former champion, I know him very well.  We are from the same town and we sparred a number of times. I know for a fact that he is not taking any chances in his preparation to fight me and it will be a great match.   He will... Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:23:21 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/juan_carlos_burgos_interview_faces_cristobal_cruz_on_feb_24th/9944353 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/juan_carlos_burgos_interview_faces_cristobal_cruz_on_feb_24th/9944353 Juan Carlos Burgos Interview: Faces Cristobal Cruz on Feb 24th http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/juan_carlos_burgos_interview_faces_cristobal_cruz_on_feb_24th/9944353 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/5/d5c023aafa40b8293b8dcf4cc17490dec2880845/mini/CHIAPAS_BOX_CRUZ_0bc1.jpg