Boxing News Boxing News
Hometown hero Cyril Thomas took a big risk challenging for the IBF Featherweight title but the odds proved too great for the Frenchman to overcome as Thomas was turned back by reigning world titlist Cristobal Cruz after 12 competitive rounds at Palais des Sportes in Saint-Quentin, France.
The former European titlist proved good on his intention of staying out of the trenches but was still outworked by the champion, who managed to rock Thomas on several occasions in the later rounds.
Thomas stepped it up over the last two stanzas but it was not enough to overturn the commanding lead taken by Mexico’s Cruz, who swept the scorecards by marks of 116-112 and 115-113 twice.
Cruz, 38-11-1 (23), retains the IBF belt for the first time since winning it by split decision last October against Omar Salido.
Thomas, 33-3-4 (10), loses for just the second time over the last five years and sees a six bout unbeaten streak go up in smoke.
The undercard saw 25 year old southpaw featherweight prospect Guillaume Frenois, 13-0 (1), step up and post a wide points decision over former European Union champ Osman Aktas, 33-16-5 (6), to win the French title.
Big punching South African light welter Phillip N’dou, 32-3 (31), came back from a five year layoff following consecutive losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr and Isaac Hlatshwayo to stop durable Frenchman Rachid Drilzane, 15-7 (1), in the fifth frame of a scheduled six.
