Cruz Outpoints Cota In Boxeo Telemundo Fall Premiere

By Jake Donovan

The fall season of Boxeo Telemundo opened with a bang, with Orlando Cruz decisioning Gabino Cota over 10 thrilling rounds Friday evening at Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida.

Scores were 96-94, 97-93 and 99-91 in favor of Cruz (30-4-1, 11KOs), who picks up his second straight win. 

Cruz sought to be the aggressor early on, but made the mistake of not making the taller Cota pay whenever he plowed forward and overcommitted on his long power shots. The laco of return fire allowed the visiting Mexican boxer to take the lead in round two, and in the process create plenty of uncomfortable moments for the Puerto Rican southpaw over the course of the evening.

Still, the judges ultimately favored Cruz' activity level to Cota's aggression. The middle rounds saw a terrific contrast in styles, with Cruz settling in on his punches, sticking and moving as well as countering Cota on the inside. 

The tide briefly changed in a wild round nine, one that opened with Cota (18-5-1, 16KOs) going for broke in his best efforts to knock out the house favorite. The two-fisted attack lasted for nearly a minute, but Cruz bravely rode out the storm before returning fire late in the round. 

There were no official knockdowns on the night, although Cruz prompted a collective gasp from the partisan crowd on hand when he fell to the canvas towards the end of the 10th and final round. The sequence came as a result of losing his balance in attempting to load up on a straight left hand, correctly ruled a slip by the referee. 

It was the last hope for Cota, whose hard work over the course of the night wasn't reflected on the 99-91 scorecard, and perhaps in the eyes of the judges who had the action 97-93. Nevetheless, it's his second loss on U.S. soil in as many attempts, having dropped a 10-round decision to Jonathan Oquendo in this very venue earlier this year.

As for Cruz, hope is kept alive for the sport's first-ever openly gay active boxer to attempt to become the third member of the 2000 Puerto Rico Olympic boxing team to capture a world title. The 34-year old from San Juan looks to join Miguel Cotto and Ivan Calderon in the championship circle, although Father Time is no longer on his side. The southpaw appeared to be at his best as a featherweight, looking a bit fleshy in fighting at 130 lbs. 

In the evening's chief support, rising young prospect Emmanuel DeJesus (16-0, 11KOs) had little probem in dispatching Cosme Rivera inside of four rounds. 

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com.

Twitter: @JakeNDaBox

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