A La Carte Pavillion in Tampa, Florida - Super featherweight contender Orlando 'El Fenomeno' Cruz (25-4-1, 13 KOs) stopped late replacement Gabino Cota (19-7-1, 17 KOs) in seven rounds. Cruz dominated the action, dropping Cota in the second round and once again in the seventh.
The fight headlined a Telemundo televised event. This was a rematch of a 2015 encounter, which Cruz won by way of a ten round unanimous decision.
Cruz came in riding a four-fight win streak, including his last three all of which have taken place in Florida and on Telemundo. Most recently, the 2000 Puerto Rican Olympian scored a seventh round knockout of Romulo Koasicha in a matchup of featherweight title challengers this past July in Orlando.
The win streak follows back to back losses, including a 7th round stoppage at the hands of Orlando Salido in Oct. '12. The setback denied Cruz the opportunity to become the first openly gay boxer to win a world title, a dream that remains first and foremost on his present day wish list.
His old adversary in Cota was simply looking for a major win. The 23-year old from Mexico managed a win in his last fight following a pair of losses, suffering a 6th round knockout versus Toka Kahn Clary this past February, just four months following the setback versus Cruz.
Friday's show went forward despite much of Florida presently under emergency evacuation orders due to incoming Hurricane Matthew, believed to be the deadliest storm to hit the state since 2004. The areas under imminent threat include most of Florida's East Coast, including the Palm Bay area due to host next week's fall season finale of Boxeo Telemundo.
