Robert Easter Jr. vs Luis Cruz Preview February 10th
Uneaten lightweight Robert Easter Jr. of Toledo, Ohio will be defending his IBF World Championship against Luis Cruz of Puerto Rico at the Huntington Center in the champion’s hometown this Friday, February 10th. The 12-round bout can be seen live in the U.S. on Bounce TV and fans in the UK can catch it on BoxNation. Easter last fought in September when he beat Richard Commey by a 12-round split decision. Meanwhile, Cruz’s last outing took place last April when he battled to a 10-round split decision draw with Ivan Redkach. Easter won the vacant IBF crown in his close and exciting win over Commey.
Easter Jr. vs Cruz Betting Odds
Here are the winner odds from online sportsbook 5dimes.eu
- Luis Cruz +1500
- Robert Easter Jr. -3000
My Pick
The 26-year-old Easter was an alternate of the 2012 American Olympic Team and will enter the ring with a perfect record of 18-0 along with 14 Kos. He’s a tall lightweight at 5-feet-11-inches tall with a reach of 76 inches. He’s boxed 70 rounds since turning pro back in 2012. Easter has very good power in his fists with a current knockout ratio of 78 per cent. Easter likes to stay active as this will be his seventh contest since 2015. He’s also beaten the likes of Argenis Mendez, Juan Roman Solis, Miguel Mendoza, Daniel Attah, Roberto Acevedo, Hardy Paredes and Carlos Cardenas.
The 31-year-old Cruz climbs into the ring with a record of 22-4-1 with 16 Kos under his belt. He’s boxed 146 rounds since turning pro back in 2007 and possesses decent power with a current knockout ratio of 59 per cent. Cruz gives up both height and reach as he’s 5-feet-9-inches tall with a 72-inch wingspan. Cruz’s losses have been to Juan Carlos Burgos by 10-round majority decision in 2011, to Jose Felix Jr. by 10-round unanimous decision in 2012, an eight-round split decision to Joaquin Chavez in 2014 and by ninth-round KO to Edner Cherry in July of 2015.
Cruz has fought some pretty good opponents, but hasn’t really been successful against the best of them. His most impressive wins have come against Antonio Davis, Martin Honorio and Wilfred Acuna. He’ll be facing an opponent in Easter who has good hand speed and doesn’t mind going toe-to-toe when needed. Easter’s a good combination puncher and a fast starter as all 14 of his Kos have come before the sixth round. He’s also stopped five of his last six opponents. If Easter has a weakness it’s his defence since he’s not the hardest guy to hit.
Cruz has a decent chin, but he’s been stopped once and was on the canvas twice against Redkach in his last fight. He also has good power of his own though. Easter will need to make sure he doesn’t leave himself open for one of the challenger’s powerful right hands. Cruz is a former Latino champion at super featherweight, but is a little inconsistent. He also likes to attack and that should make for an exciting fight for the fans.
Prediction…
This is a pretty decent matchup which should prove to be entertaining. Easter just got past Commey to win the belt in his last outing, but should be able to handle Cruz as long as he doesn’t walk into one of the challenger’s big right hands.
Easter won’t lay an egg here as he should defend his title .
Play: Easter Jr. -3000 @ 5dimes.eu
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Luis Cruz betting • Robert Easter Jr. betting