Boxing Results: Jelena Mrdjenovich Loses WBA Feather Title to Erika Cruz!

By Boxing News - 04/23/2021 - Comments

By Ken Hissner: At the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, Thursday, Ring City USA, over NBC Sports Network, Bash Boxing – Steve Bash, in the Main Event WBA World Female Featherweight champion Canada’s Jelena Mrdjenovich defending her title for fifth time lost by technical decision to Mexico’s Erika Cruz in the seventh round.

In the Main Event, 38-year-old 3-division world champ current WBA World Female Featherweight champion Jelena Mrdjenovich, 41-11-2 (19), #125 ¼, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, was upset by southpaw Erika Cruz, 13-1 (3), #125 ¾, of Mexico City, MEX, losing her title at 0:25 of the seventh round due to technical decision of a scheduled 10 rounds.

In both the first two rounds, there was a clash of heads. Cruz outlanded Mrdjenovich throughout the rounds. In the third round, halfway through, Mrdjenovich suffered a cut on the right eyebrow from a Cruz left. In the fourth and fifth rounds, Cruz continues pressuring Mrdjenovich.

In the sixth round, Cruz suffered a small cut outside the right eye while Mrdjenovich’s right eyebrow cut worsened due to a clash of heads. In the seventh round, referee Benjy Esteves, Jr. called in the ring physician, halting the fight due to a clash of heads. They would go to the judge’s scorecards.

Scores were 70-63 by all 3 judges, with this writer 70-64.
“All the glory to God coming to this country for the first time. I wish my father-trainer were here tonight,” said Cruz.

In the co-feature Deiner “Monstruo” Berrio, 22-3-1 (13), #141 ¾, of Santiago deTolu, Colombia, lost to Juan “El Pivi” Pablo Romero, 14-0 (9), #143, of Villa del Carbon, Mexico, over 10 rounds.

In the first round little from Berrio as the taller Romero (Sgt. in the Mexican Army) let it all hang out. In the second round, Berrio came out firing on all cylinders the first minute. Romero suffered a cut on the eyebrow from an accidental clash of heads. In the third through the ninth rounds, Romero was firing punches like he did in the first round, mostly to the head of Berrio, who fires back only on occasions.

In the tenth and final round, Berrio knowing he would need a knockout to win comes out more aggressive than at any other time in the fight. Romero continued his offense as he did since round one.

Scores were 98-92 by all judges, with this writer 99-91. The referee was Ricky Gonzalez.

Welterweight Bobirzhan “Bobby” Mominov, 12-1 (8), #146 ¼, of Aksukent, KAZ, lost to southpaw Angel “Relampago” Ruiz, 17-1 (12), #146 ½, of Tijuana, Baja CA, Mexico, who scored 2 knockdowns over 8 rounds.

In the first four rounds, Mominov was the aggressor throwing punches in bunches against southpaw Ruiz. In the fifth round, Mominov warned for a third time for a low blow by referee Charley Fitch costing him a point. After a five-minute rest, Ruiz came out angry, landing a left to the chin of Mominov, who was moving backward, dropping him on his back for an 8-count with thirty seconds left in the round.

In the sixth, Mominov came out, taking it to Ruiz up until the final seconds of the round, with Ruiz landing back. In the seventh round, after a minute, Ruiz landed a right uppercut to the body, followed by a left on the chin, dropping Mominov for a second time for an 8-count. In the eighth and final round, Mominov came out firing punches keeping Ruiz against the ropes for most of the round.
Scores were 75-74 and 76-73 twice though this writer 75-74 Mominov.

Super Middleweight Christian “Solidi” Mbilli, 18-0 (17), #167 ¼, of Cameron and Pornic, Loire-Atlantique, France, stopped Jesus Antonio Gutierreze Velazquez, 27-5-2 (14), #167 ¼, of Tijuana, Baja CA, Mexico, at 1:53 of the fifth of a scheduled 8 rounds.

Featherweight southpaw Jalan “Sky” Walker, 8-0-1 (7), #125 ¾, of L.A., CA, drew with Angel “Cachorro” Contreras, 11-4-2 (7), #126 ¼, of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, MEX, over 6 rounds.
Each boxer got a 58-56 and a lone 57-57.

Super Featherweight Daniel “G.D.F.E.” Bailey, 4-0 (3), #129 ½, of Tampa, FL, scored a TKO in first over southpaw Luis Alvarado, 1-3 (0), #130, of Pasco, WA, in a scheduled 4 rounds.