Telemundo Quick Pick

Cruz won't be fighting for just himself

Orlando Cruz vs. Alex Valdez: In mid-June of this year a man opened fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando, killing numerous innocent people.  That shooting hasn't sat well with most people in the United States and it hasn't sat well with Orlando Cruz (23-4-1, 11 KO) boxing's first openly gay fighter.  Cruz has called the Orlando area his second home and fights there often and on Friday he will dedicate his fight to the victims of that senseless mass shooting.  Cruz will be in the ring against Alex Valdez (26-7-2, 20 KO) and their fight is scheduled to go 10 rounds in the junior lightweight division.  Cruz has recently won three fights in a row after suffering back-to-back losses to Orlando Salido and Gamalier Rodriguez.  Cruz is a southpaw who will be giving up nearly 4-inches of height in this fight.  He uses a quick jab to score with and will often bring an accurate straight left hand behind it.  Cruz will also throw a right hook but it is his straight punches and movement that he relies on most.  Defensively Cruz's chin is a liability.  In his four career losses he has been knocked out three times and he often has trouble with larger, more physical fighter, a category Valdez falls into.  Valdez is a tall, lanky southpaw with some pop on his punches.  Valdez could be rusty though, he hasn't fought at all in 2016 and only had one fight in 2015.  That fight came after a nearly four year hiatus after he lost to Christian Mijares in 2011.  Valdez has a nice long jab and straight left hand but he is also very knockout prone.  In his seven career losses he has been knocked out five times and ring rust could play a big role in this fight.  If ever there was a fight where Cruz would have extra motivation it would be this one.  Cruz will be looking to put on an impressive performance and that along with the fact that Valdez should be very rusty should contribute to a unanimous decision win for Cruz.