Andy Cruz says he’s ready to fight Omar Salcido in a 10-round WBC lightweight title eliminator this Saturday, January 25, at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, in Las Vegas.
2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) looks to become the mandatory challenger to 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 16 of last year.
Cruz vs. Salcido is a supplement to the Diego Pacheco vs. Steve Nelson fight, which will be broadcast live on DAZN. This is Cruz’s chance to win over new fans who haven’t seen him fight yet. A two-year pro, Cruz hasn’t been around long enough to be seen by fans, so he has to make the most of every opportunity to be in the spotlight.
“Andy Cruz was a great amateur fighter and had a great amateur career, but we’ve been working very hard these months with Jose Benavidez. Our plan is to continue and achieve this victory,” said Omar Salcido during today’s meeting final press conferencetalking about his fight this Saturday night against Andy Cruz in the WBC lightweight title eliminator.
“Andy, it seems like the biggest step forward for you so far. It was pretty enjoyable last time at that big show in Los Angeles now,” Eddie Hearn told Cruz. “You are only a few fights away from the world championship. On Saturday, it’s a real test for you.”
“I’m excited for my fight on Saturday. I’m not big on words. Everyone is a great swimmer when they are not in the water,” Cruz said.
“I know you have ambitions for the 2025 world championship. People are talking about wanting to make your son, Keyshawn, proud on Saturday if he attends,” Hearn told Cruz about wanting to make Keyshawn Davis proud. “I know you are firmly fixated on this man with the real test, Cuba against Mexico on Saturday.”
Cruz is completely focused on his job against Salcido and is not thinking about Keyshawn, 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 clearly more about not wanting to get beaten again.
“Of course, this is a step up in my career because I am progressing. My full focus is on the opponent this Saturday, a Mexican warrior who is well prepared for this,” said Cruz. “Like I said, it’s not just about saying; it’s about doing, and I’m going to do what I need to do on Saturday in the ring.
“I hope they do because we have unfinished business there,” coach Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre told Social boxing on his fighter, Keyshawn Davis, who has “unfinished business” with Cuban Andy Cruz after losing to him four times in amateur competition, including a 2020 Olympic gold medal fight. “So we just have to go take care of that business. “
BoMac is clearly not in too much of a rush to let his fighter Keyshawn mix with 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 Keyshawn, beating him four times in a row.
It won’t be any different in the pros, and the Norfolk, Virginia native has a lot more to lose at this level than in the amateurs. That’s why Top Rank won’t let Davis get close to Cruz and spoil things for him.
FACE-OFF 👀@andydiamondcruz against Omar Salcid
🛡 IBF International & WBA Continental Latin-American 135 lb Titles #CruzSalcido | @DAZNBoks | #PachecoNelson pic.twitter.com/ABNjhpN5Oc
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 23, 2025
