Photo: Chris Farina / Top Rank
Orlando Salido regained his featherweight belt last night with a knockout win over Orlando Cruz on the undercard of the Bradley-Marquez showdown in Las Vegas.
Salido (40-12-2, 28 KOs) got off to a slow start, as Cruz’ movement and quicker hands made for a game of cat and mouse. Cruz found success fighting from the outside, as he used a snappy jab to create some distance, while Salido would be warned for low blows.
In the second round, Salido would start to apply constant pressure while cutting off the ring, forcing Cruz (20-3-1, 10 KOs) to fight along the ropes. However, Cruz was able to land combinations and connect with right hands that he setup with the jab. Coming out in the third, Salido would begin to let his hands go and land hard uppercuts on the inside, while the body attack was beginning to have a bigger effect in slowing Cruz down.
After Salido’s pressure began to get the better of Cruz, the Puerto Rican deferred the pace of the fight by trading with Salido; a move that would be his undoing.
In the seventh round, Cruz continued to get into exchanges with Salido, whose power was becoming more of a factor and during a close-quarters exchange, Salido landed two uppercuts that sent Cruz down to the canvas, withering in pain, which prompted referee Kenny Bayless to wave off the fight.
“Cruz is strong and has power, but I had to apply pressure intelligently. I’m back,” said Salido after the win.
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