Bethlehem boxer Ronald Cruz wins first professional title at Sands Bethlehem Event Center

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/06/bethlehem_boxer_ronald_cruz.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES View full sizeExpress-Times Photo | CHRIS POSTRonald Cruz lifts the WBC belt over his head following his 12-round unanimous decision over Prenice Brewer. Ronald Cruz won his first professional boxing title, and he didn't have to leave his backyard to do it. Cruz, of Bethlehem, won a unanimous decision over Prenice Brewer, 118-110, to claim the vacant World Boxing Council Continental America's welterweight title in front of a sold-out crowd at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center tonight. The 147-pound fighter remains perfect at 17-0 (12 knockouts) with the victory over Cleveland's Brewer (16-2-1). Chants of "Ronald, Ronald ..." reigned down on the ring from the audience as Cruz dictated the pace of the fight in the early rounds, constantly pressing Brewer across the ring. The Cleveland fighter appeared in better shape through the middle of the fight after weathering Cruz's big hits. However, Brewer seemed more concerned with taunting the crowd than producing offense as Cruz remained the steady aggressor in the closing round. The judges favored Cruz's no-nonsense, hard-hitting style. A capacity crowd filled the 1,832-seat event center for the first boxing night at the venue, which was nationally televised on NBC Sports Network.