Cuban talent Andy Cruz is looking forward to showing off his talent this Saturday night against Antonio Moran in their 10-round lightweight contest at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
(Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Moran has a lot of experience, and it’ll be interesting to see how the highly technical Cruz deals with his game. This is a big step up for Cruz from the three previous opponents he’s faced since turning pro last year against Juan Carlos Burgos.
Cruz, #8 WBA and #8 WBC, wants to continue climbing the rankings and fight for a world title at lightweight. He says he’ll be interested in challenging Shakur Stevenson for his WBC title soon.
The 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz (3-0, 1 KOs) faces veteran Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) on the undercard of Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov card on DAZN PPV. It’s one of the many interesting fights.
Making a Statement on a Big Stage
“I always try to make progress from each fight. Hopefully, for this one, you’ll be able to witness and see the progress we’ve made in training,” said Andy Cruz to Boxing News, discussing the work he’s put in preparing for his fight this Saturday night against Antonio Moran on the Riyadh Season event at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Cruz can use this fight against Moran to take advantage of the many people watching Saturday’s Crawford-Madrimov event. Many fans will be ordering the event on DAZN PPV, and it’s an excellent way for Cruz to make a statement. It would say much about his talent if he could steal the show from the many other fights on the card.
“I’ve got to win on Saturday and then look out for opponents who are going to be a bit more of a challenge,” said Cruz.
“A father never wants to share the ring with his son, does he?” said Cruz when asked if he’d be interested in fighting Keyshawn Davis in the pro ranks.
In the amateurs, Cruz beat Keyshawn four times in the U.S. vs. Cuba competition. However, Keyshawn has shown no interest in fighting Andy Cruz since he turned pro, saying he’s further along with his career and wants the big names.
Accelerated Path to the Top
Given Cruz’s age, Hearn must move him quickly to take full advantage of his time. Cruz is getting a late start in his career at 28, and he will be moved rapidly the same way Vasily Lomachenko was when he turned pro after a long amateur career.
“Absolutely, I think at the rate that I’m improving and showing in the professional game, I don’t think it will be long before I’m fighting him, and hopefully so,” said Andy Cruz when asked if he’d like to fight WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson if promoter Eddie Hearn signs him to his Matchroom Boxing promotional company.
Shakur is unlikely to fight Cruz unless he beats some of the notable contenders in the lightweight division, and he may find it hard to get those type of fighters without Hearn throwing big money at the top guys.
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