When he is at the top of his game, Ronald Cruz doesn't like to waste time.

He is optimistic any medical issues won't slow him don't either.

Cruz proved it once again when he knocked out Rondolfo Armenta in the second round of their scheduled 10-round welterweight fight Saturday night, Aug. 10, at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Bethlehem.

With the knockout, the Freedom High graduate and Bethlehem native raised his overall record to 18-2 with 13 knockouts. It was a welcome victory for Cruz, who had consecutively suffered his first two defeats in his last two fights.

Cruz stopped Armenta with a series of body shots and blows to the head that ended the fight at 2:10 of the second round. It was his first triumph since he recorded a unanimous decision over Prenice Brewer in June 2012.

After he suffered his first defeat to Antwone Smith in split decision in September 2012, Cruz underwent a hernia operation that would sideline him for seven months from the ring, the longest period of his career that began in January 2009. He then lost a unanimous decision to Ray Narh in June of this year.

"I started fighting as an amateur rather late when I was 20," recalled the 26-year-old Cruz. "When I turned professional, I wanted to fight as much as I could. I am better when I can stay fresh and get back into the ring.

"When I had (the hernia), it held me out longer than I ever was out before. It (hernia) really threw me off. I knew I had to have the operation after the fight in September (2012). I just wasn't in sync with everything.

"But after the fight (in June), I felt better and knew I could get back to where I was."

Lemuel "Indio" Rodriguez, Cruz's trainer, believed the thought and toll of the hernia operation weighed on his boxer.

"He (Cruz) kept thinking about the operation," said Rodriguez. "He kept worrying about it and wasn't properly prepared. But he is always working very hard and is in good shape. Right now, he has his confidence back and he's ready to keep going."

Based on his series of quick turnarounds, Cruz is anxious to get back into the ring and will back at the Sands Sept. 26, against a current undecided opponent.

"I feel good right now," said Cruz. "In this past fight, I had my opponent figured out quickly and put him away. I'll take some time to rest, but I want to get back in the ring soon."