Cruz Will Headline Telemundo’s First 2012 Stateside Show
Feb 9, 2012 • 1:19 AM ET
By Jake Donovan
Last month marked the 2012 season debut of Boxeo Telemundo. This Friday, the series makes its stateside appearance of the year, as Orlando Cruz faces Alejandro Delgado in a bout that headlines a loaded show at the Palm Bay Community Center in Palm Bay, Florida.
The show airs live on Telemundo at 11:35 ET.
Cruz resurrected his career in his last appearance in the ring and on the series, scoring a first-round knockout of previously unbeaten Michael Franco in a considerable upset. The win was precisely what the doctor ordered for the 30-year old Cruz, having entered the fight on the heels of consecutive knockout losses and a 20-month period of inactivity.
Franco was being groomed for greatness, but a left hand and right hook to his jaw just before the end of the first round has forever changed that perception. Instead, it was Cruz who found his Q-rating on par with the talks that preceded his two-fight losing streak.
The win came on the 10th anniversary of Boxeo Telemundo’s relationship with All-Star Boxing, who remains the series’ chief supplier of fights. As enjoyable as the past ten years have been, the hope is for the future – immediate and beyond – to trump those moments and continue to entertain.
“We’re excited for this show and for the Telemundo series to return to the U.S.,” states Felix “Tutico” Zabala Jr. of All-Star Boxing. “This will be the first of six shows we plan to present throughout the Florida area.”
The other six shows – including last month’s season debut – take place from Mexico, from where Delgado (15-5, 7KO) travels having lost three of his last five bouts.
A rare heavyweight appearance on the series occupies the chief support slot as unbeaten Cuban prospect Luis Ortiz (14-0, 12KO) – now based out of Hollywood, FL – takes on veteran gatekeeper Epifanio Mendoza (32-13-1, 28KO).
As reported earlier on Boxingscene.com, 2008 Puerto Rico Olympic boxer McJoe Arroyo appears on the card in a swing bout. Rafael Tirado of Ecaudor was mentioned as the opponent, though the official bout sheet has yet to confirm him as officially on the card.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
