The Big Chill! Pee Wee Cruz Comes Off Canvas To Win DiBella Main Event
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
*Photo Credit: Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media
Rye Brook, NY (February 21, 2015)– Like the Arctic temperatures outside, unbeaten DiBella Entertainment Junior Lightweight prospect Bryant ‘Pee Wee’ Cruz experienced his own version of ‘the big chill’ inside the ring. In the main event of a ten bout card at the Westchester Hilton Grand Ballroom in Rye Brook, New York, on Friday evening, February 20, 2015. Cruz came off the canvas in the second round to win an eight round decision in front of his area Port Chester fight fans, who loudly cheered their hometown hero. Broadway Boxing and Gofightlive.tv televised.
Cruz, now 14-0, eight knockouts, Port Chester, New York, got tested by Jorge Pazos, 14-7-1, eight knockouts, Guamuchil, Mexico. Pazos’ record of 14-7-1 is deceiving. Pazos is a power hitter. Cruz, knowing nothing of his unknown opponent, got baited onto the ropes midway through the first round, where Pazos attempted to slug it out with him in a Mexican telephone booth. In the second round, Pee Wee got caught in a corner, and a booming right hook sent Pee Wee down on his back near the end of the round. Pazos attacked at the bell starting the third round in an attempt to finish Cruz and score the upset. Pee Wee appeared unhurt, and won every round which followed on technical skill.
Cruz stayed for the most part in center ring after the knockdown, and when he did wind up along the ropes, he either slugged it out, held on or pivoted away. This neutralized the Pazos game plan, but Pazos remained headhunting to the final bell. Cruz used body head combinations and scored frequently during the bout, with Pazos landing an occasional counter, and looking to trap Cruz on the ropes. Cruz lacked the power to take Pazos out, but had the technical skill to take target practice on Pazos.
Result: Bryant Cruz Win 8 Jorge Pazos, Junior Lightweights
Scoring: 78-73, 78-73, 77-74 Cruz. Referee: Danny Schiavone. Cruz down in second round.
In another main event which wasn’t, unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Frank ‘Notorious’ Galarza, 16-0-2, 10 knockouts, Brooklyn, New York, knocked out Kansas pretender Raul Munoz in 76 seconds with the second punch he landed. Munoz, 23-28-1 with 16 knockouts, appeared to seek the canvas on all fours, not wanting any part of an actual fight. Munoz, who will turn 39 years old in March, has been knocked out in five of his last six bouts, has nothing left, and should be retired by the NYSAC and ABC Boxing. Munoz, knocked out twice in the first round in the past two months, needs to be protected.
Hilton Westchester Undercard Results
Referees: Danny Schiavone, Pete Santiago, and Johnny Callas
Frank Galarza TKO 1 Raul Munoz, Junior Middleweights (1:16)
Washed up Munoz down and out. Galarza closed the show with his second power shot.
Sergiy Derevyanchenko TKO 2 VladineBiosse (1:42)
Washed up Cape Verde fighter Biosse, onetime Jimmy Burchfield prospect, down and out.
Samuel Clarkson Jr. Win Split Decision 8 Cedric Agnew, Cruiserweights
Clarkson came off canvas in second round. Superior movement beat come forward Agnew.
Ivan Baranchyk KO 2 David Thomas, Welterweights (2:07)
In battle of unbeaten prospects, David Thomas knocked out by power hitter Baranchyk.
Andrew Ruiz Win Split Decision 6 Evancii Dixon, Junior Welterweights
Two judges had 58-56 for Ruiz, who clearly won. One judge outrageously had 59-55 Dixon.
Chris Galeano Win 6 Javier Loya, Middleweights
In rock’emsock’em robot banger, Galeano wins Foreman-Lyle nonstop offensive slugfest.
Avantandil Khurtsidse TKO 4 Philip Penson, Middleweights (1:00)
30-2-2 Khurtsidse started cautiously, and later cut off the ring,overpowering 8-0-2 Penson.
Alex Vanasse TKO 4 Richard Ballard, Cruiserweights (2:08)
Debuting local favorite Vanasses came off canvas on his back in the second round to win.
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