There was some good action on the undercard of the sleepy Sultan Ibragimov – Shannon Briggs WBO Heavyweight title contest at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday with 30 year old local welterweight southpaw Shamone “The Truth” Alvarez, 18-0 (11), clearly outpointing California’s Jose Luis Cruz, 32-3-2 (26), to win the vacant WBO NABO crown.
Cruz had two points taken away for low blows in the middle rounds but was never seriously on the contest anyway, losing 119-108, 117-109 and 116-110.
Ex-world heavyweight title challenger Calvin Brock, 31-1 (23), continued on the comeback trail, winning his second straight bout with an eight round decision over Puerto Rican southpaw Alex Gonzales, 18-5 (8), 79-74 and 77-74 (twice).
Robert Steiglitz, 30-1 (19), was in action for the first time since getting stopped by Colombian KO artist Alejandro Berrio for the vacant IBF Super Middle Crown.
The German based Russian outpointed New Jersey light heavy journeyman Marlon Hayes, 23-7 (11) by scores of 79-73, 77-75 (twice).
One of New York’s top prospects, middleweight Giovanni Lorenzo improved to 24-0 (16) with a one sided, three round thrashing of Illinois based campaigner Bruce “The Rage” Rumbolz, 21-13-2 (15).