By Jason Pribila: Christobal Cruz won the vacant IBF featherweight boxing world title by scoring a split decision win over Orlando Salido on Thursday night October 23 at the Northern Quest Casino in Spokane, Washington, USA.
The main event on a fight card televised in the US on the “VS” network saw Cruz 37-11-1 (23) overcome a slow start to outpoint Salido 31-10-2 (20) on two of the three judge’s cards. Two judges favored Cruz 116-112, while the third favored Salido 115-113. This title became vacated when Robert Guerrero chose to move up to super featherweight.
The battle between two 15-year veterans turned out to more tactical than their records would have led one to believe, and in the end it was Cruz’ effective combination punching in the second half of the fight that earned him the nod.
Cruz entered the fight 4-4 in his last eight fights, and contemplated retirement. He leaves with a title, and the potential to earn more money before he calls it a day.
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Undercard
Demetrius Andrade, considered by many to be the best pro prospect on the 2008 USA Olympic Team, began to earn those accolades by knocking out Patrick Cape (4-3) at 0:24 of the second round. Andrade, a two time National Golden Gloves Champion, started fast and dropped Cape with a wicked left hook to the body at the end of round one.
“I wasn’t nervous, I was anxious and excited to get in there and show the world what I can do, and I’m not just #1 in the amateurs, I’m gonna be #1 in the pros.”
If Andrade could continue to land picture perfect left hooks to the body, the world will take notice.
The telecast began with super middleweight prospect Maxim Vlasov improving to 14-0 (5) with a majority decision victory over Don Mouton. Vlasov suffered a nasty cut in the third round from what appeared to be an accidental head butt, even though it was not seen by the referee. Vlasov worked well behind his jab, and was busy enough to impress two of the three judges to win by scores of: 77-75 and 78-74. The third card felt that Mouton’s heavier punches earned him a draw (76-76). Vlasov has skills, and uses his height well, however he needs to tighten up his defense as he steps up his competition.
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