Chilean boxer Junior Cruzat is set to return to the ring on Saturday, June 20, for his first defense of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) youth super featherweight world title. The bout will take place at the National Stadium Sports Center starting at 7:00 PM.
The 25-year-old fighter, originally from Fresia, will face Colombian Jair Mulett, a 22-year-old competitor described as having a "quite mobile" style, according to reports from latercera.com.
This matchup marks a milestone in Cruzat's career as he moves his fights from the south of the country to the capital. "My recent fights have been in the south. There is a large crowd there, but a huge percentage of my followers are in Santiago," the athlete told El Deportivo.
The legacy of a boxing dynasty
Cruzat's career is deeply intertwined with his family tree. He is the nephew of Carlos Cruzant, an iconic figure in Chilean boxing, and his father serves as both his trainer and manager.
The boxer maintains that growing up in this environment has been a driver for his development rather than a burden. "I was born when he was already at his peak. It was always more of a motivation than pressure. I never felt the weight of having to surpass him. It is motivation to go further," the pugilist explained.
He recounted his humble beginnings in the Los Lagos Region, where he trained using sawdust bags and without professional gloves. However, his discipline has seen him rise to the point of securing sponsorships from major brands.
For this title defense, Cruzat has ramped up the intensity of his physical conditioning. "If I used to run for 30 minutes, now I run for 40. If I used to do 12 rounds, now I do 14," he detailed, with the intention of ending the fight before the time limit.
His training camp for this bout includes an overseas training camp and a specific tactical focus to neutralize Mulett's movement. Following this defense, Cruzat aims to break into the world top eight rankings.
The boxer is also projecting a high-profile fight in the United States against Mexico's Emanuel Navarrete for next year. "Everything points to that. I know that by the end of next year, it will happen," he stated confidently.
Ultimately, Cruzat seeks to establish himself as the new national figure in a sport that has missed icons like Martín Vargas or Arturo Godoy. "My ultimate goal is to inspire. To show that I come from a small town that no one knows, and that it is possible," he concluded.
