LeAnna Cruz and Regina Chavez Lit Up Philly in Fight of the Year Candidate
By David A. Avila
Philadelphia was hot.
One of the top female fights of the year saw hometown fighter LeAnna Cruz and Mexico’s Regina Chavez fire it up at 2300 Arena in Phillie last Friday.
In the city that developed “Smokin” Joe Frazier, the area has another in Cruz (11-0,1 KO), an undefeated super flyweight with an attack-style who ran into Chavez and her stay-in-the-pocket Mexico City style last Friday June 13. They were made for each other from the opening bell.
They were smokin.
Both were not shy to unleash their flurries with Cruz leading the action. She doesn’t wait to determine weaknesses, she attacks and creates weaknesses. Mexico City’s Chavez is accustomed to fighting that style and caught the Phillie fighter with a right cross and down went Cruz in the first round.
Cruz got up weakly but during the knockdown tweaked her knee. Injury or not, the fight resumed.
“I heard a snap in my knee. I don’t know what happened,” said Cruz to DAZN. “That last nine rounds I had to dig deep and make sure that knee didn’t give out.”
Though Cruz suffered an injury to her knee she resumed searching for holes in Chavez’s defense. Both exchanged freely and looked for openings. The Mexico City fighter was clever with her slip and counters and relied on volume punching.
The Philly fighter targeted Chavez’s body and that seemed to open up more avenues for her offense. Meanwhile the Mexican fighter continued firing volume shots and scoring in that manner. The rounds passed quickly.
Both fighters did not shy away from exchanging, but as the rounds mounted, they each began to probe for new ways to score. Cruz nose was bloody from either punches or accidental clash of heads, but the fight never slowed.
Back and forth the two fighters exchanged furious blows with neither moving backward an inch. Cruz bled from the nose and Chavez had welts on her face. Neither was willing to surrender an inch.
The mostly pro-Cruz crowd was tense at the conclusion of the 10th and final round. The fans knew it was not a clear cut victory for either fighter.
After 10 rounds Cruz was declared the winner by three judges 95-94, 96-93, 97-92. Those watching via DAZN saw Chavez the winner by 54 percent. It was very close.
“I definitely unlocked another level on myself,” Cruz said.
Poor Chavez. A mere three months ago in San Bernardino, California the somber looking Chavez fought Jasmine Artiga for the WBA super fly title. Somehow, two judges saw Artiga the majority winner. The TV analysts on that fight thought otherwise. Once again, another close decision loss for Chavez.
“She is a hell of a fighter and her records doesn’t even speak on her skill set,” Cruz said of Chavez. “I feel bad for the girl.”
It was one of the top fights of the year. Catch it on DAZN.
SoCal Heating Up
“Right Hook” Roxy Verduzco (4-0) returns to the boxing ring and faces Celene Roman (6-3-1) in a featherweight fight set for eight rounds at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif. Also, Jenelyn Olsim (0-0) and Jessica Radtke (1-2-1) meet in a four-round bout.
Verduzco a former amateur star, is signed with 360 Boxing Promotions that is promoting the event. The Los Angeles-based fighter will be facing Ontario, California’s Roman a veteran with good experience. The 360 Boxing card will be streamed by UFC Fight Pass.
The main card features undefeated super welterweight Callum Walsh versus Elias Espadas.
Holly Holm in SoCal Next Week
The return of Holly Holm to the boxing ring begins next week when she fights Mexico’s Yolanda Vega in a lightweight match at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The Golden Boy Promotions and Matchroom Boxing card will feature Jake Paul in the main event versus Julio Cesar Chavez. DAZN pay-per-view will stream the event.
Holm, 43, a former world champion, departed from boxing back in 2013 and dived in MMA where she made fame as the first to defeat Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 when she knocked out Rousey for the UFC bantamweight championship in November 2015.
Facing Holm (33-2-3) is Vega (10-0) an undefeated 30-year-old lightweight out of Sonora, Mexico. Also, on the same card is Naomy Valle (14-0, 9 Kos) versus Ashley Felix (7-3) in a light flyweight fight set for six rounds.
More Fight News
Argentina
Ayelen Granadino (12-2-4) defeated Micaela Lujan (15-3-1) by majority decision after 10 rounds on Saturday June 14. The regional flyweight title fight was held in Buenos Aires.
Aldana Lopez (13-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Olga Julio (40-19-3) on Friday June 13. The regional flyweight title fight took place in Buenos Aires.
Austria
On Saturday June 21, welters Johana Rochi (4-5-1) and Szilvia Szabados (18-19) meet four rounds at Vienna.
Belgium
On Sunday June 22, super featherweights Delfine Persoon (49-3) and Ana Maria Lozano (25-15-1) meet eight rounds at Oostende.
On Saturday June 22, lightweights Adeline Polys (2-0-1) and Dunja Bocan (2-14-1) meet four rounds at Pepinster.
Chile
On Saturday June 21, super bantams Sofia Rebolledo (6-1) and Carla Ciriaco (0-2) meet six rounds at Copiapo.
China
Quiyan Lu (2-0) won by decision after four rounds against Nian Lu (0-1-1) on Saturday June 14. The super bantam match took place in Shanghai.
On Friday June 20, super lights Lili Xie (4-0) and Binsi Teng (0-0) meet four rounds at Yantai.
On Saturday June 21, feathers Di An (0-0) and Wen Zhong (0-1-1) meet four rounds at Huhehaote.
Colombia
Nathalia Arango (3-4-1) and Bethy Franco (12-12-3) fought to a majority draw after eight rounds on Saturday June 14. The super bantam fight took place in Cali.
Jaica Pavilus (8-7-1) knocked out Neisi Torres (14-18-1) in the first round on Saturday June 14. The super featherweight match was held in Medellin.
Costa Rica
On Saturday June 21, super feathers Dayana Ulloa (0-0) and Cristel Ruiz (0-4) meet four rounds at San Jose. Also, flyweights Nickol Holmers (0-0) and Natalie Cisneros (0-0) meet four.
Czech Republic
Katerina Cavajdova (4-0) defeated Agnieszka Zaluska (1-2) by decision after six rounds on Friday June 13. The bantam fight was held in Plzen.
Denmark
Melissa Mortensen (6-0) beat Halima Vunjabel (16-14-1) by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday June 14. The super bantam fight was held in Copenhagen.
France
Roman Moulai (6-0) was victorious over Silvia Torres (22-4-3) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday June 14. The IBO light flyweight title match took place in Annecy.
Fanny Galle (3-0) beat Lilia Cherifi (4-1) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday June 14. The super lightweight title fight took place in Paris.
Houria Djalout (1-0) knocked out Nino Mgebrishvili (0-5) in the second round on Saturday June 14. The bantamweight match took place in Port Vendres. Also, featherweight Elodie Bouchlaka (9-1-2) beat Beata Dudek (5-7) in six.
Germany
On Saturday June 21, lightweights Beke Bas (19-0) and Fatuma Yazidu (20-12-1) meet 10 rounds at Dessau.
Guatemala
Nancy Sanan (0-0-1) and Ericka Alvarez (0-0-1) fought to a majority draw after four rounds on Saturday June 14. The super lightweight bout took place in Guatemala City.
India
On Sunday June 22, lightweights Vinaskshi Vinaskshi (0-0) and Anastasia Luchkina (0-0) meet four rounds at Pradesh.
Italy
Francesca Corso (1-1) knocked out Callie Hellens (0-1) in the second round on Saturday June 14. The super fly match was held in Lombardia.
Martina Bernile (7-4-2) and Hye Soo Park (8-10-4) fought to a split draw after 10 rounds on Saturday June 14. The regional flyweight title match was held in Novara. Also, feather Margherita Lavazza (3-0) beat Antonina Cuti (2-15-1) in six; and Denise Brizio (1-0) beat Dunja Bocan (2-14-1) in four.
On Thursday June 19, super feathers Sharon Prisco (1-0) and Sherie Barnes (0-10) meet eight rounds at Abruzzo.
On Saturday June 21, super flies Stephanie Silva (9-1) and Mary Romero (11-7) meet 10 rounds for the regional title at Rome.
Japan
On Sunday June 22, super flies Hazuki Endo (0-0) and Yukari Kawanami (0-0) meet four rounds at Sapporo. Also, Sakura Kannari (1-4) and Reike Mori (1-3-1) meet four.
Kazakhstan
Rimma Volossenko (1-0) won by knockout after two rounds against Chetna Saini (1-1) on Friday June 13. The super featherweight fight took place in Almaty.
Mexico
On Sunday June 22, lightweights Litzy Vazquez (6-0) and Angelica Perez (1-1) meet eight rounds at Orizaba.
Panama
On Saturday June 21, super lights Paula Quintero (1-0) and Janicy Dos Santos (1-1) meet four rounds at Panama City.
Spain
Cristina Navarro (7-3) knocked out Maria Milano (13-4-2) in the first round on Saturday June 14. The minimumweight title match was held in Zaragoza.
Almudena Alvarez (7-2) beat Gabrielle Mezei (11-37-5) by decision after five rounds on Saturday June 14. The super featherweight match took place in Alcorcon.
Thailand
Chisakan Ariphipat (20-1-1) beat Tanwarat Saenggiamit (13-10-1) by split decision after six rounds on Saturday June 14. The super fly fight took place in Pattaya.
United Kingdom
Megan Redstall (5-0-1) knocked out Evelin Camporeale (5-16-1) in the third round on Saturday June 14. The bantam fight was held in Bristol. Also, super light Charlie Sutton (5-1) beat Lenka Volejnikova (3-4-1) in six.
Sylwia Doligala (6-2-2) defeated Charlotte Powell (6-3-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday June 14. The super fly British title fight took place in Liverpool.
Gabriela Strikalyte (2-0) beat Nicholine Achieng (4-13-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday June 14. The bantam fight was held in Wolverhampton. Also, feather Ebonie Cotton (1-0) beat Kira Carter (0-18-1) by decision.
On Friday June 20, super bantams Cassidy Todd (4-0) and Ashleigh Johnson (3-2) meet 10 rounds at East Kilbride, Scotland.
USA
Brittany Ordonez (6-6-3) beat Karla Valenzuela (3-38-3) by decision after six rounds on Saturday June 14. The lightweight fight took place in San Antonio, Texas.
LeeAnna Cruz (11-0) won by decision after 10 rounds versus Regina Chavez (8-6-3) on Friday June 13. The super flyweight match took place in Philadelphia, Pa.
On Thursday June 19, bantams Amanda DeRosa (0-1) and Elena Mandujano (0-0) meet four rounds at Costa Mesa, Calif.
On Saturday June 21, featherweights Iyana Verduzco (4-0) and Celene Roman (6-3-1) meet eight rounds at Santa Ynez, Calif. Also, Jenelyn Olsim (0-0) and Jessica Radtke (1-2-1) meet four.
Uruguay
Diana Delbone (2-1-1) and Elizabeth Sellanes (0-3-1) fought to a majority draw after six rounds on Friday June 13. The flyweight match took place in Tacuarembo.
Venezuela
Erika Bolivar (11-5-1) knocked out Winnymar Lopez (1-14) in the fifth round on Tuesday June 10. The minimumweight fight was held in Caracas. Also, Yuskenny Colmenares (1-0) k nocked out Angie Colmenarez (0-13) in two.