Zaquin Moses, cousin of Shakur Stevenson, wins pro debut

Amateur standout Zaquin Moses made a successful jump to the professional ranks, defeating Michael Ruiz by unanimous decision on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.

All three judges scored the junior lightweight bout in Moses’ favor, 40-36, starting the Newark-based southpaw’s career off on the right foot. Ruiz (1-5) of Toms River, N.J. loses his third straight.

The 19-year-old Moses, the younger cousin of WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, showed off his impressive skill set, keeping his right jab busy and remaining defensively responsible against the heavy-handed but less polished Ruiz, 32. Moses found particular success with his looping left hand around the guard of Ruiz and followed up to the body like an experienced veteran. 

Moses, whose final USA Boxing ranking was no. 6 at 132 pounds, had won a number of titles as an amateur, including the 2024 Summer Festival title, the 2023 Last Chance Qualifier, and the 2023 USA Boxing National Qualifier, the latter in which he famously handed Curmel Moton his final defeat as an amateur.

The Moses-Ruiz fight was part of the Jaron Ennis-Karen Chukhadzhian II card, promoted by Matchroom Boxing and aired live on DAZN.