Orlando Cruz Destroys Michael Franco

Puerto Rican featherweight Orlando Cruz (right) rebounded from back-to-back losses by knocking previously unbeaten prospect Michael “Lil Warrior” Franco (left) out cold just before the end of the first round in Kissimmee, Fla. on Telemundo Friday night.

A native of Riverside, Calif., Franco advances with his head forward and his hands low, a recipe for disaster inside the ring. He stands too upright, leaving him wide open for counters, and mostly whiffed with his sloppy left hook. Franco ate a few clean shots early on before taking a knockdown that looked more from a push by Cruz than a punch. After returning to his feet Franco went after Cruz with more lead left hooks that the southpaw was content to dance away from.

Cruz’s punches, in contrast, were shorter, crisper and more accurate. The veteran realized early his opponent was out of his depth and picked his spots, landing several combos flush on Franco’s grill. The end came just before the bell as Franco once again walked forward with his chin exposed and Cruz responded with a straight left-right hook combination to the chin that sent the Californian to the canvas face-first. The right appeared to do the real damage. Kudos to Cruz, fighting for the first time since losing to Daniel Ponce de Leon last February.