Orlando Cruz To Face Aalan Martinez, Picks Garcia

By "Mr. Boxing" Giancarlo Oquendo

The current WBO Latino champion at 126 pounds, Orlando "The Phenomenon" Cruz(19-2-9 KO's), will be present on January 19th at Madison Square Garden when Orlando Salido defends his full WBO featherweight crown against undefeated mandatory challenger Miguel "Mikey "Garcia.

Cruz, who may face the winner in the near future, is picking Garcia to prevail because of his youth. He feels the fresher Garcia will get past the champion, who saw more than his fair share of wars in the last few years.
 
Cruz is scheduled to return to the ring on March 22 against Mexico's Aalan Martinez (13-1-1, 9KOs) at the Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida. Martinez's sole loss took place in 2009, when he dropped a six round unanimous decision to unbeaten prospect Evgeny Gradovich.

Giancarlo Oquendo is a TV boxing analyst for the PRTV/PR Network and WQBN 1160am. Follow him on twitter @mrboxingtab