Photos by: Kathryn Warburton

Bethlehem, PA (August 11th, 2013)–  Gamalier Rodriguez retained his NABO featherweight title with a hard-fought 10-round decision over tougher-than-expected Jorge Pazos in the 10-round main event in front of 1,152 fans at the Sands Casino Resort.

Rodriguez, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, worked well to the body and was just a bit quicker than Pazos, Guamuchil, Mexico, winning by scores of 98-92 and 98-91 twice. The wide scores were not indicative of the competitive nature of the match. The win marked Rodriguez’ first defense of his NABO belt and brought his record to 22-2-3, 15 K0s. The loss dropped Pazos to 19-6-1, 13 K0s.

Local welterweight Ronald Cruz ended a two-fight losing streak, working the body and head of Rodolfo Armenta and also utilizing his seldom-seen jab, stopping Armenta at 2.40 of the second round of their scheduled eight-round contest. Cruz, who is scheduled to return to the Sands Casino on Thursday evening, Sept. 26, improves to 18-2, 13 K0s. Aremnta, of Rio Rico, AZ, slips to 12-11-1, 9 K0s.

Rising star Felix Verdejo, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, went six rounds for the first time, earning a unanimous decision (60-52 three times) over game Guillermo DelGadillo of Walla Walla, WA. Verdejo improves to 7-0, 6 K0s, while DelGadillo drops to 4-5-1.

In other bouts: Jerome Rodriguez, Allentown, PA, earned a unanimous six-round decision (60-54, 59-55 twice) over Ariel Duran, Queens, NY, junior welterweights; Arturo Trujillo, Easton, PA, out-pointed Yurii Polischuk, Alexandria, VA, over four rounds (40-35 three times) welterweights; Jesse Hart,  Philadelphia, PA, KO’d late sub Steven Tyner, Akron, OH, at 1.22 of the first round, light-heavyweights; David Williams, Philadelphia, PA, scored a unanimous four-round decision (38-37, 39-37, 40-36) over William Miranda, Allentown, PA, heavyweights; Toka Kahn Clary, Providence, RI, decisioned (40-36 three times) Jose Valderrama, Manati, Puerto Rico, over four rounds, junior lightweights.