By Jake Donovan
Orlando Cruz looks to continue his quest for one more crack at a major title, as he returns to the Telemundo circuit for a dangerous crossroads bout with Gabino Cota.
Both fighters made weight for their 12-round super featherweight bout. Cruz - who hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico checked in at 129.6 lbs., while Cota weighed in right at the 130 lb. divisional limit for his third career fight outside of his native Mexico.
The regional title fight headlines the fall premiere of Boxeo Telemundo, airing live from Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida (Friday, 11:35 p.m. ET).
Cruz (29-4-1, 11KOs) remains intent on becoming the third member from the 2000 Puerto Rico Olympic boxing team to capture a major title, hoping to join more famous counterparts Miguel Cotto and Ivan Calderon. His lone title shot to date ended in a 7th round knockout loss to Orlando Salido nearly two years ago.
The aftermath, however, had fans concerned that Cruz - the first-ever openly gay boxer - was done at the top level. The former featherweight conteder dropped a 12-round decision to Gamalier Rodriguez last April, prompting a lengthy break in order to take a long, hard look at his career.
The rest did Cruz some good, as he returned strong with a 4th round knockout win over Edwin Lopez in June, taking place in coastal Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
Cota (18-4-1, 16KOs) also benefited from a June win over a Lopez to disrupt a losing streak. The rangy slugger from Navajo, Mexico knocked out Javier Lopez in six rounds this past June, ending a three-fight losing streak.
Among that stretch for Coto included his lone two bouts outside of Mexico - a decision loss to Andrey Klimov last November in Russia; and a points loss to Jonathan Oquendo in this very venue in March, which served as the first Telemundo main event of 2015.
In the televised co-feature, red-hot welterweight prospect Emmanuel DeJesus (15-0, 10KOs) faces veteran Cosme Rivera (38-21-3, 26KOs) in an eight-round crossroads bout.
DeJesus tipped the scales at 147 lbs.; the 39-year old Rivera was slightly under at 146.9 lbs.
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com.
Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Facebook Page: JakeBScene
