Terry Flanagan v Orlando Cruz

Terry Flanagan to defend WBO world lightweight title against Orlando Cruz

Britain's Terry Flanagan will defend his WBO world lightweight crown against Puerto Rico's Orlando Cruz in Cardiff on Saturday, 26 November.

Cruz, 35, will become the first openly gay boxing world champion if he wins, having lost a WBO world featherweight title bout with Orlando Salido in 2013.

Manchester fighter Flanagan is making the fourth defence of his title since becoming world champion in July 2015.

"I'm out to prove a point and show everyone I'm world class," he said.

The 27-year-old southpaw is also targeting a fight against Venezuela's WBA world lightweight holder Jorge Linares, who beat Anthony Crolla by a unanimous points decision in September.

"Linares in seen as number one in the division after beating Crolla and it would be good to get that fight and do something that Crolla couldn't do to prove I'm the best around," added Flanagan.

Terry Flanagan to defend WBO world lightweight title against Orlando Cruz - BBC Sport

Cruz says he wants to be the first, but wasn't Emile Griffith the first openly gay boxing champion?

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Originally Posted by Freedom

Cruz says he wants to be the first, but wasn't Emile Griffith the first openly gay boxing champion?

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Griffith was not open about it.

Cruz is garbage he wouldn't be anywhere near this title shot if he wasn't using the - The openly gay card.

That's quite possible, but how did Flanagan end up with the title, who has he fought? His last defence was a decision against a guy MAB knocked out a million years ago. I'm sure he'll beat Cruz easily, just saying it's not a drop in opposition or anything. Felix Verdejo is his mandatory, I think he'd clearly lose that and a handful of other fights at 135.

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Originally Posted by p4pking

That's quite possible, but how did Flanagan end up with the title, who has he fought? His last defence was a decision against a guy MAB knocked out a million years ago. I'm sure he'll beat Cruz easily, just saying it's not a drop in opposition or anything. Felix Verdejo is his mandatory, I think he'd clearly lose that and a handful of other fights at 135.

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Are you trying to say that over the years the WBO hasn't given us the very best fights ?
Do you not remember Joe Calzaghe v Tocker Pudwill - Rick Thornberry - Peter Manfredy JR or did you forget Johnny Nelson v all of the worlds UBER drivers and Mexican road sweepers ?

I expect Flannigan to bash him about a bit LOL.

Nice to see the place bubbling over with anticipation for this one

Langford v Sheedy
Liam Williams v Gorbics
Flanagan v Cruz

It's either watch this or watch Honey G on ITV. I think I'm gunna stick with the boxing

Kid Gallahad (remember him) fighting a nobody, puts him down with a bodyshot in the 3rd

Fuck me!!!

Without trying to be Homophobic here...... It's gotta be the ultimate Career Failure in Boxing to lose a title fight to a Gay boxer? ;D

I mean it's a Man/Macho Sport at the end of the day and im only saying what most of us are thinking (but don't have the balls to type it out), when it comes down to it.

Personally (if I was Flanagan) you'd have to beat me to death within those 12 rounds to win the fight.

I Remember in the late 1980's - early 1990's (only Londoners will get this) there was a Huge question mark over the sexual orientation of a fighter named "Gary Stretch" ;D

Down again in the 3rd with another bodyshot, the nobody didn't want to get back up

Stalker v evans now, first round, good opener, looked pretty even although I'm not paying all that much attention at the moment.

3rd time that these boys have fought, previous 2 fights were both draws

boxnation picture has gone down, looks like they have a few gremlins...its either that or they have just terminated the broadcast because there is only one person in the country watching (that'd be me)

picture is back on, no idea who is winning as we have lost a few rounds, looks pretty even though with Evans looking like he may just be edging it

They are interviewing Tommy Langford but my speakers do not work.