Cartagena set to make his mark on Gamboa-Ponce de Leon undercard.

Undefeated bantamweight sensation, Miguel Cartagena is set to once again take Atlantic City, New Jersey by storm on Saturday night, when he faces Dominican knockout artist Christian Cruz (3-2. 3KO’s) in a four round contest on the Yuriorkis Gamboa-Daniel Ponce de Leon undercard, promoted by Top Rank Inc. and Golden Boy Promotions, at the famed Boardwalk Hall.

The former number one ranked US amateur and two time national champ, Cartagena (2-0,1KO) is quickly making a name for himself in the bantamweight division as a professional. In his first bout on March 26th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the 19 year old Cartagena easily out dueled the much more experienced thirty year old Omar Gonzalez (3-5), winning every round on the judge’s scorecards, by scores 40-36 across the board. The bout was on the Gamboa-Solis undercard.

Cartagena followed up his opening victory Omar Gonzalez (0-1) with a two round demolition of Jamie Gonzalez on June 25th at the South Philly Asylum Arena before his raucous hometown crowd. Cartagena of North Philadelphia, PA looked in control from the opening bell and extremely confident as he dropped the man from Puerto Rico, three times, with the last knockdown finally finishing the onslaught at thirty seconds of the second round.

It won’t be easy for Cartagena this Saturday night as he faces Christian Cruz (3-2, 3KO’s) in what may be the final four rounder of his career. Cruz of Queens, New York has shown his power with knockouts in each of his three victories and should be a good test for Cartagena in just his third professional bout.

Cartagena is prepared though for whatever Cruz will bring him. “I am in fantastic shape for the fight and can’t wait to get into the ring,” said Cartagena. “I have had several solid rounds of sparring and I feel great.”

The well grounded Cartagena, who is managed by Moz Gonzalez and Eddie Woods of E & M Management Inc, had one simple message to any of the future bantamweights that are standing in his way of a world title; “Keep your hands up.”