Philippines, 12 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


RIVAS AND CRUZ CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN LA

PhilBoxing.com





Rivas defends Super-Bantamweight crown against Cruz on November 18

Mayerlin Rivas will defend her WBA World Super-Bantamweight title against Erika Cruz at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday November 18, live worldwide on DAZN.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM

Rivas (17-4-3 11 KOs) puts the title on the line for the third time in her second outing of 2023, with the first ending prematurely in a technical draw after her Argentine opponent Nazarena Romero suffered a cut from an accidental headclash in the fifth round of their fight in Buenos Aires in June. The Venezuelan champion became a two-weight champion when she won the vacant title in February 2020 in Panama City against Laura Ledezma and defended it for the first time in June 2022, forcing Karina Fernandez to quit on her stool after three rounds in Guadalajara, Mexico. The 35 year old become WBA Bantamweight champion in June 2015 and made three defenses, winning two and drawing one.

Cruz (16-2 3 KOs) is aiming to match Rivas and become a two-weight World ruler in her own right having previously reigned at Featherweight. The Mexican dropped down in weight following her epic Undisputed battle with Amanda Serrano in February in New York, widely outpointing Melissa Oddessa Parker in Tijuana in September. The 33 year old previously ended landed the WBA 126lbs belt against Jelena Mrdjenovich, ending the five-year rule of the Canadian on the cards after an accidental headclash halted the contest after seven rounds in April 2021. Cruz successfully defended the belt in Puerto Vallarta in November via split decision over Melissa Esquivel, and then met Mrdjenovich again in Hermosillo in September 2022, winning once again to set up the clash with Serrano.

"First of all, I thank God for this opportunity to defend my world title again and debut in the United States with a world-class rival like Erika Cruz,” said Rivas. “I am preparing very well to put on a great show, I am very happy for this opportunity, I'm going for victory and then going for unification.”

“With the support of the National Guard, I'm stepping into the ring once more, and you can bet it's going to be a war,” said Cruz. “I'll proudly bring my second World title to Mexico, fueled by determination.”

Marc Castro will kick off the main card live on DAZN as he fights over ten rounds for the first time against Gonzalo Fuenzalida (12-2 3 KOs). Castro (10-0 7 KOs) moved into double figures in the pros in April, recording a seventh stoppage win in his third eight-round contest in San Antonio. The Fresno talent now meets the Las Vegas-based Chilean over ten as he takes the latest step in a pro journey that began in December 2020.

“November 18, we are back at it,” said Castro. “I’m grateful to be returning to the ring, especially in my home state. This is my first time fighting as a pro in LA and I’m expecting a ton of support and plan on putting on a sensational performance in my first scheduled 10 rounder.

“I’m looking to close out my 2023 in spectacular fashion as we look to take it to the next level in 2024.

Criztec Bazaldua steps through the ropes for the third time in his career when he takes on Pedro Angel Cruz (3-3 2 KOs). Bazaldua (2-0) has been faultless in his first two four rounders so far, his debut in Culiacan, Mexico in March and his second bout in New Orleans in June, and it’s a first hometown showing in the pro ranks for his third fight, again over four rounds at Lightweight.

“I feel immensely privileged to be able to showcase my abilities in front of a home crowd so early on in my career,” said Bazaldua. “It is a testament to the opportunities I knew Matchroom could provide me with both domestically and in Latin America. To also be on the undercard of a big brother in Diego Pacheco, having grown up together in South Central, Los Angeles and enjoyed the same amateur tournaments and boxing circuit is a blessing. I can’t wait to see so many familiar faces in the crowd, the support for this show will be electric.

“It’s been a banner year for Women’s boxing, and this is another brilliant fight to add to the list of epic battles we’ve seen,” said Eddie Hearn. “Rivas and Cruz has got war written all over it, with Mayerlin defending her title and Erika aiming to become a two-weight champion – neither will take a backwards step so the fans are going to be the winners.

“Marc makes a big step in his education as he fights over ten rounds for the first time in the paid ranks, Criztec gets a hometown fight in just his third action in the pros and there’s more fights to be added as we close in on our return to LA.

“Of course, this is all on the undercard of one of the most exciting talents in the sport, with Diego Pacheco headlining for the third straight event of his blossoming career against Marcelo Coceres – a chance for Diego to show that he is the future of the Super-Middleweight division and a major star in the making for American boxing.”




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • James Perkins & Anthony Andreozzi Headlines “Oceanside Prize Fights”
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • GORST PURSUES GOLDEN GLORY IN JEDDAH, DEFENDING WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN SAUDI ARABIA, 21–26 JULY
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
    , Tue, 08 Jul 2025
  • UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
    , Mon, 07 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.