ANTWONE SMITH READY FOR BATTLE ON SEP. 21

Press Release: Welterweight Antwone Smith sees his upcoming fight with Ronald Cruz as perhaps his last chance to get back into the big-time.   Smith and Cruz meet in a scheduled twelve rounder on Friday, Sept. 21st at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA. NBC Sports Network will broadcast beginning at 9 PM ET. Joining Smith and Cruz on the telecast will be Gabriel Campillo of Spain vs. Sergey Kovalev of Russia in a ten-round light heavyweight bout and Charles Whittaker of the Cayman Islands vs. Philadelphia's Gabriel Rosado in an IBF junior middleweight eliminator.
 
"I'm ready and I feel this is my last opportunity to get the big fights I've wanted and worked for," Smith said. "Come Sept. 21st, you all will see a very determined man in the ring. It is a dream fight on NBC (Sports Network). I'm very excited. I want to thank my manager Don Herron and my trainer Chill Davis for getting me prepared for this opportunity."
 
A pro since 2006, the 25-year-old Smith is 21-4-1 with 12 KOs. Though he is only 3-3 in his last six fights, Smith has been in tough matches with Roberto Garcia, Kermit Cintron and Lanardo Tyner. Smith's biggest wins have come against Henry Crawford and Richard Gutierrez.
 
"Cruz better be in shape because I am," Smith said. "This is my last big shot. I'm going to put it all on the line; it's do or die."
 
The 25-year-old Cruz is 17-0 with 12 KOs. On June 1st, he outpointed Prenice Brewer at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.
 
In his only other fight in 2012, Cruz pounded out a ten-round decision over Allen Conyers on Feb. 25th in Atlantic City.
 
The only foe common to both men is Martinus Clay, of Winston-Salem, NC. Smith and Cruz each beat Clay by knockout in 2010--Smith in five rounds, Cruz in three.
 
Four additional bouts complete the Sept. 21st card. Tickets can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com, www.SandsEventCenter.com and www.Ticketmaster.com.