WBO Lightweight Champion Terry Flanagan will make the fourth defense of his world title against Puerto Rico’s former world title challenger Orlando Cruz on November 26.
In a recent press release, it was announced that the two would meet at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, England. The fight joins an already stacked boxing card that is headlined by WBO Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders defending his belt against Artur Akavov as well as Liam Williams defending his British super welterweight title against Ahmet Patterson.
Flanagan said that he wanted to give the fans in Cardiff a good fight after what he considered a disappointing performance in his last fight against Mzonke Fana, where Flanagan won via unanimous decision in July.
“I’m excited to get out there again and put in a big performance before getting the blockbuster fights that Frank has promised me next year,” Flanagan said. “Last time I fought in Cardiff, I wasn’t happy with how I boxed so it will be good to show the Welsh fans that I’m a lot better than I showed against Fana."
Cruz is the first openly gay professional boxer from Puerto Rico. Cruz has won his last five fights and is a former regional featherweight and super bantamweight champion. Cruz is also a former Olympic boxer, representing Puerto Rico in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Australia.
Flanagan won the then-vacant WBO Lightweight title against Jose Zepada back in July 2015.
