Featherweight contender Juan Ruiz will face the toughest test of his career as he faces hard-hitting Cristobal Cruz in a 12 round championship bout at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas on Friday night.

The bout, which is for the vacant WBA FEDEBOL title, will headline a six-bout card, promoted by Guilty Boxing in association with Art Pellulo's Banner Promotions.

The card will be televised on ESPN's 'Friday Night Fights' series.

Ruiz, (16-1, 5 KO's) from Santa Clarita, CA, has quietly made a name for himself among the young Featherweight prospects of today. As a professional, he has mostly showcased his skills mostly between the California desert and in Las Vegas.

Ruiz has won his last three bouts in a row since his controversial eight round split-decision loss to Erik Rodriguez last February.

In his last bout, Ruiz defeated Phillip Payne in a 10 round unanimous decision last October in Las Vegas.

Cruz, (25-6-1, 15 KO's) from Chiapas, Mexico and now residing in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, hopes to snap a two-bout losing streak.

The two losses were to Super Bantamweight contender Heriberto Ruiz and to undefeated fighter Jorge Solis.

Cruz has nice victories on his ledger. He defeated Francisco Dianzo in 2002 for the WBC Continental America's Featherweight title. His aggressive style against strong contenders could give Ruiz fits in this bout. Cruz replaces undefeated Art Simonyan, who had to pull out of the bout because of the flu.

In the co-feature, George Walton will face Adrian Lopez in an eight round Middleweight bout.

Walton, (14-2, 10 KO's) from Harlem, NY, has knocked out his last three opponents since losing two in a row. In his last bout on January 30th, Walton knocked out Alberto Mercedes by a third round technical knockout.

Walton is best known for giving a game effort in losing an eight round unanimous decision to undefeated Super Middleweight Jerson Ravelo in October of 2002.

Overall, he has defeated his last nine opponents by knockout.

Lopez, (7-0, 4 KO's) from Houston, TX, not only replaces undefeated Jamar Nolan, who was supposed to fight Walton, but also will fight on the televised portion of the card.

In his last bout, Lopez knocked out Miguel Aquila in the first round of a scheduled six round bout in November. His work could be cut out for him in facing the stronger and experienced Walton.

Undefeated Melinda Cooper faces a tough challenge when she goes up against talented Jerri Sitzes in a six round Bantamweight bout.

Cooper, (9-0, 6 KO's) from Las Vegas, NV, will turn 19 next month, but her age has not stopped her from becoming an attraction to any fight card.

A swift fighter on her legs who can make her opponent miss and make her pay, Cooper has showed her talents well in the ring. She has won her last three bouts by knockout, including a first round knockout in July against Yvonne Chavez.

Sitzes, (5-2-1, 3 KO's) from Springfield, MO, is a talented fighter who is unbeaten in her last four bouts.

In her last bout on January 23rd, she knocked out once-beaten Mary Elizabeth Ortega in Kansas City, MO. The bout avenged a six round split-decision loss to Ortega last year.

In other bouts:
- Juan Carlos Santiago, (5-3, 2 KO's) from Las Vegas, will face Luis De La Rosa in a four round Bantamweight bout. De La Rosa, from Hidalgo, Mexico, is 3-9-2, 1 KO.

- Alex Viramontes, (2-1, 1 KO) from Riverside, CA, faces Marlo Cortes in a four round Junior Welterweight bout. Cortes, from Van Nuys, CA, is looking for his first victory in six bouts to go along with a draw.

- Hector Hernandez, (4-0, 3 KO's) from Phoenix, AZ, will take on Monroe Brooks in a four round Middleweight bout. Brooks, from Hawthorne, CA, hopes to build upon his record of 4-6, 2 KO's.

Doors open at 5:00PM local time, with first bell scheduled for 5:30PM. ESPN2 Friday Night Fights will go live at 9:00PM ET/ 6:00 PM PT. Tickets are available at $30 and $20. Tickets can be purchased at the Orleans Box Office or be calling (702) 365-7075.

Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will call the action from ringside for ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.