Minnesota boxing’s busiest road warrior, Rondale Hubbert, returns home for a crowd-pleasing showdown against North Dakota’s Roman Cruz on Saturday, May 17, at Kent Freeman Arena in Detroit Lakes. The 4-round 142 pound bout is part of the Ignite Fights 108 pro/am card and has all the makings of a fan favorite.
Hubbert (16-36-3), now fighting out of Duluth, has made a name for himself by taking on rising prospects across the country, often in their own backyards. Known for his durability, grit, and technical boxing style, Hubbert has been in close decisions with many highly touted opponents—some of which arguably should have gone his way.
“I’m excited about the fight back at home,” said Hubbert. “It’s close to Fargo, and I lived there for about 10 years, so I’ve got a lot of friends and family coming. Cruz is a tough guy—he comes forward and likes to bang—so it should be an exciting matchup. I feel like my last three decisions could’ve all gone my way, so I don’t know what else to do but go for the KO this time. It’s gonna be fireworks.”
Cruz (2-1), fighting out of Grand Forks, ND, brings a come-forward, high-pressure style that makes him a crowd favorite. He’s coming off a big win and isn’t shy about his confidence heading into this matchup.
“I’m just glad to be back in the ring,” said Cruz. “I know Rondale Hubbert has experience, and I never underestimate any opponent. I’ll bring it like I always do—it’s going to be a fun night. Hard work always pays off, and we’ll see who wants it more.”
Cruz added with a grin, “My last opponent said my head movement was garbage. Well, we saw how that went—I got the W. I love when guys take me lightly and then are shocked after the fight. This will definitely be another one of those nights. Like Nate Diaz said, ‘I get to punch someone in the face and leave with a pocket full of cash’—not bad at all. I’m not letting off the gas.”
With both fighters fired up and stylistically poised to collide head-on, this one has the potential to steal the show.
Also Scheduled on the Pro Card:
- Ashkan Morvari vs. Tyler Nystrom
- Corey Thompson vs. Bobby Deane
- Terrence Walker vs. Lorenzo Cardona Jr.
- Thomas Matlon vs. Cayman Audie
- Dominic St. Claire-Badillo vs. TBA
Event Info:
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Location: Kent Freeman Arena, 1310 Rossman Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN
Doors Open: 5:00 PM
First Fight: 5:30 PM
Tickets: Available now at NitroTickets.com
Stay locked in to MinnesotaBoxing.com for more coverage and fight night results.
You must be logged in to post a comment.