Lightweight contender Andy Cruz could fight on the December 14th card in Monaco. Promoter Eddie Hearn says the unbeaten 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) could be on the Monaco card.
Hearn feels the Cuban gold medalist Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) is ready for the top 10 and a title shot. Despite Cruz only having four fights, he has shown the type of talent in his one-year professional career to show that he’s ready to challenge for a world title against one of the four world champions at 135.
Cruz is ranked #4 WBA, #6 WBC, #7 IBF, and #14 WBO. He says he wants to fight for a world title at lightweight, but getting the title shot may require a lot of work on Hearn’s part. None of the four champions are likely to willingly agree to fight the slick Cruz, who is like a more entertaining version of Shakur Stevenson.
Hearn isn’t giving any hints about who Cruz, 29, could face on December 14th. Hopefully, it’s a step up from his last opponent, Antonio Moran, who he knocked out in seven rounds on August 3rd at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
That was a Riyadh Season event put on by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. Cruz’s performance in the fight was one of the better ones on the card, which had some duds, including the main event.
“You’re going to see him hopefully at the end of the year. He’s ready now for the top guys,” said Eddie Hearn to the press about when lightweight contender Andy Cruz will fight next.
“I think he’s had a very fast rise in terms of his professional experience. He looks great with Bozy Ennis, but now, try to focus on a world title. Possibly,” said Hearn when asked if Cruz could fight at the Monaco event on December 14th. “Yeah, he’s ready for the top 10 now.”
Cruz is 29 and can’t afford to be brought along slowly before getting a title shot. Given his talent, he’ll need to go the mandatory route to get a title title shot against one of the champions at lightweight.
Hearn must put Cruz in a world title eliminator to earn that spot. William Zepeda holds the #1 spot by all four sanctioning bodies at 135, and he’s waiting for his shot. Once Zepeda gets his title shot, Cruz can go after the #1 position with the WBC. Hearn promotes WBC champion, Shakur Stevenson. So, that would be the ideal champion for Cruz to target while Shakur is still with Matchroom.
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