Queensberry Promotions’ Cardiff card, which was bumped from October 22nd to November 26th when both Billy Joe Saunders and Liam Williams suffered training injuries, now has a second belt in play, as Terry Flanagan is set for his fourth WBO lightweight title defense against Orlando Cruz.
Frank Warren’s above-linked press release also provides ticket prices for the card, which they dubbed "A Little Less Conversation," alongside broadcast details.
Remaining tickets for ‘A Little Less Conversation’ priced at £40, £70, £100 and £150 are available from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff; 029 2022 4488 and www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk, Eventim; 0844 249 1000 and www.eventim.co.uk, Ticketmaster; 0844 8440 444 and www.ticketmaster.co.uk
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise this show on Sky (SD Ch.437 and HD Ch.490), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon).
Other fights include Billy Joe Saunders vs. Artur Akavov for the former’s WBO middleweight title, Tommy Langford vs. Sam Sheedy for the vacant BBBofC middleweight title, and Liam Williams’ BBBofC super welterweight title defense opposite Ahmet Patterson.
As far as Flanagan (31-0, 12 KO) vs. Cruz (25-4-1, 13 KO), it’s a godawful fight. Cruz has never weighed in above 132.25 and he spent eight years as a featherweight before consecutive losses to Orlando Salido and Gamalier Rodriguez sent him up to 130 for his last five fights.
Considering the sorts of tests that fellow titlists Jorge Linares and Robert Easter have recently faced, Flanagan fighting a blown-up mid-tier featherweight in his mid-thirties is shameful.
Unless it’s all a plot to make Saunders-Akavov more palatable, in which case: well-played, Frank.