Isaac Cruz Defeats Giovanni Cabrera by Split Decision
By Ralph Rimpell
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 30 Jul 2023
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas -- In a lightweight bout before the Spence-Crawford main event, Isaac Cruz (25-2-1,17KOs) faced off against Giovanni Cabrera (21-1, 7KOs).
Round 1 - Cabrera used the ring effectively and good jab to keep Cruz at bey. Cruz unable to close the gap even though he landed a few good shots. Cabrera 10-9.
Round 2 - Cabrera keeps his hands low and doesn't cover his chin. Cruz trying to close the distance between the two stalking the the taller Cabrera. More of the same action from first round. Cabrera gets hit clean by Cruz and immediately ties him up. Warning form Referee for his using forearm. Cabera 10-9.
Round 3 - Cabrera using the ring effectively. When Cruz attempts to close the gap, Cabrera immediately clinches to break Cruz's momentum. Cabrera continues to uses his jab effectively. Cabera 10-9.
Round 4 - More of the same action from round 3, except for Cruz begins to finally close the gap and lands a few good right hands. Close round. Cabrera 10-9.
Round 5 - Cruz trying to engage Cabrera in a brawl at the beginning of round 5 and lands well. Cruz is warned for an intentional head butt by referee. Good round for Cruz. Cruz 10-9.
Round 6 - Cruz able to land some good shots and continues closing the gap to score well. Cruz 10-9.
Round 7 - Close round where both fighters scored well. Cabera 10-9.
Round 8- Momentum is shifting to Cruz who is able to close the gap and score. Cabrera clinches Cruz when he scores with good shots. Cruz head butts Cabrera who complains to Referee. Cruz is deducted 1 point by Referee. Even round 9-9.
Round 9 - Cruz continues to close the gap and lands effective combinations. Cabrera rallys back. Close round. Cruz 10-9.
Round 10 - More of the same action from round 9. Cruz 10-9.
Round 11 - Cabrera worked well behind the jab and is able to land his punches. Cabrera 10-9.
Round 12 - Cabrera used his jab to keep Cruz at bay. Cruz is able to get past jab to land his punches. Close round.Cabrera 10-9.
The Judges awarded a split decision victory to Cruz after 12 rounds.
Official scores were 1 Judge scored it 114-113 for Cabrera, and two judges scored it 114-113 and 115-112 in favor of Cruz
Philboxing.com scored it 7 rounds in favor of Cabrera, 4 rounds for Cruz and 1 even round for both fighters.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ralph Rimpell.
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