Andy Cruz says he’s ready to battle Omar Salcido in their 10-round WBC lightweight title eliminator this Saturday, January 25th, at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, in Las Vegas.
2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) is looking to become the mandatory challenger for WBC 135-lb champion Shakur Stevenson with a win over Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs). The Mexican warrior is coming off a ninth-round knockout of Chris Colbert on October 16th last year.
Cruz vs. Salcido is the co-feature for the Diego Pacheco vs. Steve Nelson fight, which will be live on DAZN. This is Cruz’s opportunity to win over new fans who have not seen him fight. The two-year pro, Cruz, hasn’t been around long enough to be seen by fans, so he’s got to make the most of every opportunity to be in the spotlight.
Title Shot
“Andy Cruz was a great amateur fighter and had a great amateur career, but we’ve been working very hard throughout these months with Jose Benavidez. Our plan is to go on and get this victory,” said Omar Salcido during today’s final press conference, talking about his fight this Saturday night against Andy Cruz in a WBC lightweight title eliminator.
“Andy, it feels like the biggest step up for you so far. It was fairly comfortable last time out in that huge show in Los Angeles now,” said Eddie Hearn to Cruz. “You’re just a couple of fights away from a world championship. It’s a real test for you on Saturday.”
“I’m excited for my fight on Saturday. I’m not a big talker. Everyone is a big swimmer when they’re not in the water,” said Cruz.
“I know you have world championship ambitions for 2025. People are talking about you wanting to make you son, Keyshawn, proud on Saturday if he attends,” said Hearn to Cruz about wanting to make Keyshawn Davis proud. “I know you’re firmly fixed on this man with a true test, Cuba against Mexico on Saturday.”
Cruz has totally focused on his job against Salcido, and he’s not thinking about Keyshawn, who has already said in many interviews that he doesn’t want to fight him. Although Davis says he doesn’t wish to fight Cruz again because he hasn’t proven himself at the pro level, it’s more about not wanting to get beat again.
“Of course, this is a step up in my career as I’m advancing. My full focus is on my opponent this Saturday, a Mexican warrior who is well prepared for this,” said Cruz. “As I’ve said, it’s not just about saying; it’s about doing, and I’ll do what I need to do on Saturday in the ring.
“I would hope they would because we got some unfinished business there,” said trainer Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre to Boxing Social about his fighter, Keyshawn Davis, having “unfinished business” with Cuban Andy Cruz after losing to him four times in the amateurs, including in the 2020 Olympic gold medal match. “So, we just got to go take care of that business.”
BoMac obviously isn’t in too big of a hurry to let his fighter Keyshawn mix it with Cruz again because all the work he’s done in the gym could go up in smoke. Cruz has proven again and again that he’s too good for Keyshawn, beating him four times in a row.
It won’t be any different in the pros, and there’s a lot more for the Norfolk, Virginia native to lose at this level than he was in the amateurs. That’s why Top Rank won’t let Davis anywhere near Cruz and have him spoil things.
FACE-OFF 👀@andydiamondcruz vs Omar Salcido
🛡 IBF International & WBA Continental Latin-American 135lb Titles #CruzSalcido | @DAZNBoxing | #PachecoNelson pic.twitter.com/ABNjhpN5Oc
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 23, 2025
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