Andy Cruz says he’s able to battle Omar Salcido of their 10-round WBC light-weight title eliminator this Saturday, January twenty fifth, at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, in Las Vegas.
2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) is seeking to develop into the obligatory 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 sixteenth final 12 months.
Cruz vs. Salcido is the co-feature for the Diego Pacheco vs. Steve Nelson struggle, which can be dwell on DAZN. That is Cruz’s alternative to win over new followers who haven’t seen him struggle. The 2-year professional, Cruz, hasn’t been round lengthy sufficient to be seen by followers, so he’s bought to benefit from each alternative to be within the highlight.
Title Shot
“Andy Cruz was an incredible newbie fighter and had an incredible newbie profession, however we’ve been working very laborious all through these months with Jose Benavidez. Our plan is to go on and get this victory,” mentioned Omar Salcido throughout immediately’s remaining press convention, speaking about his struggle this Saturday evening towards Andy Cruz in a WBC light-weight title eliminator.
“Andy, it seems like the most important step up for you thus far. It was pretty comfy final day trip in that massive present in Los Angeles now,” mentioned Eddie Hearn to Cruz. “You’re simply a few fights away from a world championship. It’s an actual check for you on Saturday.”
“I’m excited for my struggle on Saturday. I’m not a giant talker. Everyone seems to be a giant swimmer once they’re not within the water,” mentioned Cruz.
“I do know you have got world championship ambitions for 2025. Persons are speaking about you desirous to make you son, Keyshawn, proud on Saturday if he attends,” mentioned Hearn to Cruz about desirous to make Keyshawn Davis proud. “I do know you’re firmly fastened on this man with a real check, Cuba towards Mexico on Saturday.”
Cruz has completely targeted on his job towards Salcido, and he’s not serious about Keyshawn, who has already mentioned in lots of interviews that he doesn’t need to struggle him. Though Davis says he doesn’t want to struggle Cruz once more as a result of he hasn’t confirmed himself on the professional degree, it’s extra about not desirous to get beat once more.
“After all, it is a step up in my profession as I’m advancing. My full focus is on my opponent this Saturday, a Mexican warrior who’s nicely ready for this,” mentioned Cruz. “As I’ve mentioned, it’s not nearly saying; it’s about doing, and I’ll do what I have to do on Saturday within the ring.
“I’d hope they’d as a result of we bought some unfinished enterprise there,” mentioned coach Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre to Boxing Social about his fighter, Keyshawn Davis, having “unfinished enterprise” with Cuban Andy Cruz after shedding to him 4 instances within the amateurs, together with within the 2020 Olympic gold medal match. “So, we simply bought to go deal with that enterprise.”
BoMac clearly isn’t in too massive of a rush to let his fighter Keyshawn combine it with Cruz once more as a result of all of the work he’s performed within the health club might go up in smoke. Cruz has confirmed time and again that he’s too good for Keyshawn, beating him 4 instances in a row.
It received’t be any completely different within the execs, and there’s much more for the Norfolk, Virginia native to lose at this degree than he was within the amateurs. That’s why Prime Rank received’t let Davis anyplace close to Cruz and have him spoil issues.
FACE-OFF 👀@andydiamondcruz vs Omar Salcido
🛡 IBF Worldwide & WBA Continental Latin-American 135lb Titles #CruzSalcido | @DAZNBoxing | #PachecoNelson pic.twitter.com/ABNjhpN5Oc
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 23, 2025
