Christina Cruz

Last updated

Christina Cruz
Born (1982-12-12) 12 December 1982 (age 42) [1]
Other namesThe Hells Kitchen Kid [1]
Statistics
Weight(s) Flyweight, Bantamweight
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm) [1]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record [2]
Total fights7
Wins6
Losses1
Medal record
Women's amateur boxing
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
IBA Women's World Boxing Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2012 Qinhuangdao 54kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2016 Astana 54kg

Christina Cruz (born 12 December 1982) is an American professional boxer who has challenged for the IBF female flyweight title. As an amateur she won two World Championship bronze medals.

Contents

Career

A seven-time national amateur champion and record-setting 10-time New York Golden Gloves winner, [3] [4] Cruz won bronze medals in the 54kg category at the 2012 [5] and 2016 Women's World Boxing Championships. [6]

Having failed to make the United States team for three Olympics, she was approached to represent Puerto Rico, qualifying through family ties, at the 2020 Tokyo Games and won the trials to secure a spot, only for the event to be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the Olympics were rescheduled for 2021, a new qualification criteria was put in place and Cruz missed out. [3] [7]

She turned professional in 2021, making her debut in the paid ranks at Madison Square Garden Theater on 3 August that year, defeating Indeya Smith via majority decision over four rounds. [3] [4]

With a perfect record of six wins from six pro-fights, Cruz challenged IBF female flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on 27 January 2024. She lost by stoppage in the 10th and final round. [8] [9]

Professional boxing record

7 fights6 wins1 loss
By knockout01
By decision60
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
7Loss6–1 Gabriela Fundora TKO10 (10), 0:5921 June 2025 Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.SFor the IBF female flyweight title
1Win1–0Josefina VegaUD610 October 2023Sony Hall, New York, U.S
5Win5–0 Nancy Franco UD810 August 2023 Sony Hall, New York, U.S
4Win4–0Amy SalinasUD820 January 2023 Kissimmee Civic Center, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S
3Win3–0Maryguenn VellingaUD411 June 2022Madison Square Garden Theater, New York, U.S
2Win2–0Maryguenn VellingaUD627 November 2021Madison Square Garden Theater, New York, U.S
1Win1–0Indeya SmithMD43 August 2021 Madison Square Garden Theater, New York, U.S

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Christina Cruz". tapology.com. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  2. "Boxing record for Christina Cruz". BoxRec .
  3. 1 2 3 "Christina Cruz on Fundora Title Shot: Moment I've Been Dreaming of Since I Was a Little Kid". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Boxing Insider Fight Night — Christina Cruz had long, adventurous path in amateurs". Boxing Insider. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  5. "Women Box: Dispatches From China". WYNC News. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  6. "Claressa Shields wins gold at women's world championships, USA Boxing finishes 3rd in medal count". Pro-Boxing Fans. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  7. "Christina Cruz: "I walked into the gym that first time and immediately fell in love with the sport."". Fight Post. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  8. "Gabriela Fundora Surges in Second Half, Gets TKO of Christina Cruz To Retain IBF Title". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  9. "Bizarre Ending to Gabriela Fundora-Christina Cruz Title Fight". bigfightweekend.com. Retrieved 16 August 2025.