Photo by Esther Lin / Showtime Sports
Errol Spence Jr. (13-0, 10 KOs) scored an easy 10-round unanimous decision victory over Ronald Cruz (20-4, 15 KOs) at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The fight was the main event of a card presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Showtime Sports.
The 24-year-old Olympian, whom many consider to be the most promising boxing from the 2012 American Olympic team, started early by using quick lateral movement, working his jab, and landing several combination punches.
Spence landed early and often in a pace he was able to keep for 10 rounds, not once stepping his foot off the gas to give Cruz a single round.
In the fifth round, Spence was at his most aggressive, backing up Cruz to land several body shots.
By the eighth round, all hope had seemed lost for Cruz as it became clearer and clearer that he did not have the tools to pose any threat to Spence.
After landing several left hands in the later rounds, the fight seemed in danger of being stopped, but Cruz’s corner allowed him to take more punishment en route to a shutout win.
All judges scored the bout 90-100 for the Desoto, Texas native.
Dominic Wade (15-0, 11 KOs) vs. Nick Brinson (16-1-2, 6 KOs)
Photo by Esther Lin / Showtime Sports
In the co-main event, Dominic Wade scored a 10-round unanimous decision victory over Nick Brinson.
In his first 10- round bout, the 24-year-old prospect used his four-inch reach advantage to walk Brinson down for most of the fight, landing combination punches with ease while Brinson was on the ropes.
In the third round, Brinson landed a short hook on Wade’s mouth–a punch that went right through his high guard stance.
Wade was staggered, but his veteran mind-set (a good sign for someone his age) allowed him to engage Brinson in a clinch in order to avoid further damage and to return to his game plan.
Indeed, Wade spent the rest of his fight relying on his long jab, short check hook, and bursts of combination punching en route to an easy win.
Wade, who hails from Largo, Maryland, grew tired in the later rounds, but was high enough on the scorecards to give up a round or two on his back foot.
He will have to do more in future training camps to prevent exhaustion in the future, which would put his undefeated streak in jeopardy.
Brinson, on the other hand, was fighting defensively from the opening bell, making it virtually impossible for him to land often and significantly.
One judge scored the bout 96-94, while another two scored the bout 97-93 and 97-93.
