Bethlehem, PA—Undefeated welterweight prospect Ronald Cruz (left), of Bethlehem, PA, faces hard-hitting Doel Carrasquillo (right), of Lancaster, PA, in the scheduled 10-round main event of the first-ever boxing card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem on Friday evening, July 1.
Cruz will headline a card for the first time as well as engage in his first scheduled 10-round bout in a temporary 1,600-seat tent on the grounds of the Sands.
”The Sands is proud to present its first professional boxing event featuring Ronald Cruz from Bethlehem,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of the Sands. “The fans will see a great card from Peltz Boxing.”
Cruz, 24, has developed a following while boxing 11 times in Philadelphia, PA, and Atlantic City, NJ. A pro since 2009, Cruz has won all 12 of his fights, nine by knockout. He has knocked out his last five opponents, including former national amateur standout Jeremy Bryan, of Paterson, NJ, and local rival Manuel Guzman, of Lancaster, PA.
Managed by ex-pro Jimmy Deoria, of Phoenixville, PA, and trained by Lemuel Rodriguez, of Bethlehem, Cruz had a brief amateur career, fighting 28 times in a13-month period from July, 2007, until August, 2008.
Carrasquillo, 38, has fought nearly every good prospect up and down the East Coast while compiling a record of 15-17-1, 13 K0s.
Known for a good punch and a solid chin, Carrasquillo knocked out previously unbeaten Denis Douglin, of Marlboro, NJ, in his last fight Feb. 18 in Salisbury, MD. Douglin, who was 12-0 at the time, is one of 11 undefeated fighters Carrasquillo has boxed.
Carrasquillo has boxed only four men (out of 33) with losing records, an incredible statistic in today’s boxing world.
Proving he doesn’t mind fighting local heroes in their hometowns, Carrasquillo knocked out Jorge Melendez last year in the loser’s backyard of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Melendez was 13-1-1 at the time. Two years earlier, at Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY, Carrasquillo snapped the 13-fight unbeaten streak of hometown hero Wayland Willingham with a first-round knockout.
“Tell Cruz he’d better be in top shape because Doel will be looking for him,” said Albert Solis, who trains Carrasquillo. “He’s never fought everyone as tough as Doel.”
Six preliminary fights complete the card, which begins at 7.30 p.m. and is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc.
“It’s an honor to stage the first boxing card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem,” said International Boxing Hall-of-Fame promoter J Russell Peltz. “Ronald Cruz has been bringing fans with him to his fights in Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Now he has a chance to showcase himself at home. This could be the first step in helping boxing to become a fixture at the Sands.”
Tickets priced at $51 and $78 and go on sale next week in the gift shop of the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and online at www.ArtsQuest. org. Tickets also can be purchased at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922) and online at www.peltzboxing.com.
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