CRISTOBAL CRUZ RETAINS IBF WORLD TITLE AGAINST JORGE SOLIS ON JULY 11

IN TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, CHIAPAS, MEXICO

            Cristobal Cruz made his second successful defense of the International Boxing Federation featherweight world title with a hard-fought 12 round unanimous decision win against No. 1 ranked mandatory challenger Jorge Solis on July 11 in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico. It was Cruz’ first world championship fight in his home state.

Lleft to right: Banner Promotions president Art Pelullo, IBF featherweight world champion Cristobal Cruz, Governor of Chiapas Juan Sabines Guerrero, Cruz’ manager-trainer Pedro Moran.

            Banner Promotions president Art Pelullo said, “We want to congratulate Cristobal on his sensational win and tell him how proud of him we all are at Banner Promotions. The event drew 7,000 enthusiastic fans and was a huge success.

            “This was Cristobal’s third world title fight, and he’s been the underdog in all three. The odds were 4 to 1 against him this time, but once again he gave a tremendous performance and proved the oddsmakers wrong.

            “We also want to thank everyone in the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez and the state of Chiapas who helped make this event so successful, with a special acknowledgement to the Governor of Chiapas, Juan Sabines Guerrero.”

            Photos by Shane Sims, Banner Promotions staff photographer. Free for editorial use.