Andy Cruz says he is ready to fight Omar Salcido in their 10-round WBC lightweight title eliminator this Saturday, January 25th, at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas at the Chelsea Ballroom in Las Vegas.
(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) looks to become the mandatory challenger for WBC 135-lb champion Shakur Stevenson with a win over Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs). The Mexican fighter is coming off a ninth-round knockout of Chris Colbert on October 16 of last year.
Cruz vs. Salcido co-features the Diego Pacheco vs. Steve Nelson fight, which will air live on DAZN. It’s Cruz’s chance to win over new fans who haven’t seen him fight. A two-year pro, Cruz hasn’t been around long enough for fans to watch, so he needs 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 worked very hard these months with Jose Benavidez. Our plan is to get this victory,” Omar Salcido said today. Final press conferenceTalking about his fight this Saturday night against Andy Cruz in the WBC lightweight title eliminator.
“Andy, this looks like the biggest step for you so far. It was pretty comfortable last time at that big show in Los Angeles,” Eddie Hearn told Cruise. “You’re just off the world championship. A few fights away. It’s a real test for you on Saturday.”
“I am excited for my fight on Saturday. I am not a big talker. Everybody’s a big swimmer when they’re not in the water,” Cruz said.
“I know you’ve got world championship ambitions for 2025. People are talking about you wanting to make you proud boy, Keeshon, if he shows up, he’ll be proud on Saturday,” Hearn told Cruz about wanting to make Keeshon Davis proud. “I know, with Cuba’s real test against Mexico on Saturday, you’re firmly committed to this guy.”
Cruz is completely focused on his work against Salcido, and he is not thinking about Kishon, who has already said in many interviews that he does not want to fight him. While Davis says he doesn’t want to fight Cruz again because he hasn’t proven himself at the pro level, it’s more about not wanting to get beat up again.
“Definitely, it’s a step up in my career as I move forward. My whole focus is on my opponent this Saturday, a Mexican fighter who is well prepared for this,” Cruz said. “Like I said, it’s not just for saying; It’s about doing, and I’ll do what I have to do in the ring on Saturday.
“I hope they do because we’ve got some unfinished business there,” trainer Brian ‘Bomack’ McIntyre said. Boxing is social About his fighter, Keeshon Davis, about having “unfinished business” with Cuban Andy Cruz after losing to him four times in the amateurs, including a 2020 Olympic gold medal match. “So, we just have to take care of that business.”
BoMac is clearly in no rush to mix it up with his fighter Keyshawn Cruz again because all the work he’s been doing in the gym could go up in smoke. Cruz has proven time and time again that he is too good for Keyshon, beating him four times in a row.
It will be no different among the pros, and the Norfolk, Virginia native has a lot more to lose than the amateurs at this level. That’s why Top Rank won’t let Davis get anywhere near Cruz and let him spoil stuff.
Face-off 👀@AndyDiamondCruz vs. Omar Salcido
🛡 IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American 135lb titles #CruzSalcido | @DAZNboxing | #Pacheco Nelson pic.twitter.com/ABNjhpN5Oc
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 23, 2025
