Erika Cruz has been relieved of her title reign.
The 2-division titlist was stripped of her WBA 122-pound belt attributable to a optimistic drug take a look at surrounding her most up-to-date bout. A pattern collected on April 29 and examined Might 7 returned findings of Stanozololol metabolites 16b-hydroxystanozolol, 3′- hydroxystanozolol and furosemide. The findings had been found eleven days after her Might 11 ten-round draw versus Nazarena Romero in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Cruz (17-2-1, 3 knockouts) has but to face disciplinary motion with Comision de Field Aguascalientes, the presiding authority over the bout. The draw verdict stays intact, although a moot level even when transformed to a No-Determination. Romero (13-0-2, 7 KOs) will get one other shot on the now vacant title.
On the time the drug take a look at end result was revealed, Cruz’s crew knowledgeable The Ring that she deliberate to totally cooperate within the investigation. A second examined “A” pattern on Might 31 produced comparable findings, of which Cruz was knowledgeable on June 5.
Cruz then had till June 20 to request the testing of her “B” samples. That step was by no means taken, which prompted the WBA to take motion.
The samples are saved in WADA-accredited laboratories for as much as 180 days, the present size of her WBA-specific suspension. The sanctioning physique has threatened so as to add one other six months on the finish of that interval ought to she fail to witness the “B” pattern take a look at process.
Cruz continues to be free to battle throughout that interval, pending any ruling from an precise boxing fee. Sanctioning our bodies solely reserve the fitting to refuse approval to battle for its titles or in title eliminators.
The ruling ends her second title run after only one nullified protection.
Cruz gained the belt in a ten-round choice over Mayerlin Rivas (17-5-3, 11 KOs) final November in Inglewood, California. It got here simply 9 months after her slim defeat to Amanda Serrano (46-2-1, 30 KOs) of their memorable Feb. 2023 undisputed featherweight championship. The setback ended Cruz’s prolonged keep as WBA featherweight titlist.
In the meantime, Cruz’s two most up-to-date opponents will battle for the WBA 122-pound belt.
Romero was ordered to subsequent face Rivas in a rematch to their June 2023 encounter. Their WBA junior featherweight title battle led to a technical draw close to the tip of the fifth spherical. Romero suffered a minimize from a conflict of heads which was deemed too extreme to proceed.
Rivas’ lone battle since then was her aforementioned defeat to Cruz.
Romero-Rivas was ordered to take face by October 20.
