Luis Cruz Hopes To Fight Four or Five Times in 2013

By Ryan Burton

Puerto Rican super featherweight contender Luis "El Artisano" Cruz's (20-2) career has hit a few bumps in the road over the past 16 months.  He suffered his first career loss, a majority decision to Juan Carlos Burgos in November 2011 on the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez III pay-per-view undercard.  He bounced back with a 1st round knockout of Tomas Sierra this past June before losing a unanimous decision to Jose Felix Jr. in September on a special edition of ESPN's Friday Night Fights series. 

Cruz faces Steve Trumble on Saturday in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico.  He told BoxingScene that he is very eager to get back in the ring and get back on the winning track.

"I am very excited to get back in the ring.  I have been training hard and I am 100% focused on putting on a great show.  I am especially happy to fighting in front of my people here in Puerto Rico and I plan on taking advantage of this opportunity," Cruz stated.

Cruz also said that he hopes that he will be more active in 2013.  He fought twice in 2012 and three times in 2011.  He hopes to fight four or five times in 2013 alone.

"I really want to be active.  God willing I hope to fight a minimum of four or five times this year.  I am focused and recharged and I feel like I am starting my career over.  The best of Luis Cruz is yet to come," the Puerto Rican told BoxingScene.com.

The fight will take place on this week's edition of UniMas' Solo Boxeo Series.  The main event features Jonathan Gonzalez against Joseph Rios.  2012 Puerto Rican Olympian Felix "Diamante" Verdejo takes on Martin Quezada in the co-featured bout.

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