Luis “El Artesano” Cruz: Boxing Career

Puerto Rican lightweight Luis “El Artesano” Cruz challenged IBF champion Robert Easter Jr. on February 10, 2017, in Toledo, Ohio. Easter retained the title by unanimous decision after scoring three knockdowns, according to Premier Boxing Champions and the IBF.

A world-title challenge in Toledo

Cruz entered the bout with a record of 22 wins, four losses and one draw, including 16 knockouts, as reported by ESPN before fight night. Easter knocked Cruz down in the tenth, eleventh and twelfth rounds, but Cruz went the distance. All three judges scored the 12-round contest for Easter, who made the first defense of his IBF lightweight belt.

The fight was a major opportunity for Cruz, a Puerto Rican contender who had not lost since a 2015 stoppage defeat to Edner Cherry. The loss to Easter moved Cruz’s listed record to 22–5–1. The IBF later described the bout as one of Easter’s successful title defenses.

Separating Cruz’s record from other boxers

Professional records identify the challenger as Luis Cruz, nicknamed “El Artesano,” from Las Piedras, Puerto Rico. His title challenge and documented professional results identify the Puerto Rican contender discussed here.

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A Puerto Rican Lightweight’s Challenge for the IBF World Championship

Cruz’s defeat came in Easter’s first defense of the IBF title, rather than a later championship reign. The title remained with Easter after the twelve-round decision.

Cruz’s title challenge came against an unbeaten champion in Easter’s hometown of Toledo. He completed twelve rounds despite the three knockdowns, leaving the verdict to the judges. The unanimous decision meant Easter retained the championship; Cruz’s performance should therefore be described as a completed world-title challenge rather than a championship victory. His pre-fight and post-fight records refer to that same Puerto Rican contender, not to a different boxer named José Luis Cruz.

Sources

Premier Boxing Champions; ESPN; Career or result cross-check.

Article Tags

Luis Cruz, Boxing, Sports History