Andy Cruz says he’s ready to fight Omar Salcido in their 10-round WBC lightweight title eliminator this Saturday, January 25, at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 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 is the co-feature for the Diego Pacheco vs. Steve Nelson fight, which will be live on DAZN. This is Cruz’s opportunity to win over new fans who haven’t seen him fight. Two-year pro Cruz isn’t tall enough to be seen by fans yet, 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 been working very hard through these months with Jose Benavidez. Our plan is to go on and get this win,” Omar Salcido said during today’s final press conferenceand talks about his fight this Saturday night against Andy Cruz in a WBC lightweight title eliminator.
“Andy, this feels like the biggest step yet for you. It was pretty comfortable last time out in that big show in Los Angeles now,” Eddie Hearn told Cruz. “You are only a few fights away from a world championship. It’s a real test for you on Saturday.”
“I’m excited for my fight on Saturday. I’m not a big talker. Everybody’s a great swimmer when they’re not in the water,” Cruz said.
“I know you have world championship ambitions for 2025. People are talking about wanting to make your son Keyshawn proud on Saturday when he attends,” Hearn told Cruz of wanting to make Keyshawn Davis proud. “I know you’re firmly set on this man with a real test, Cuba against Mexico on Saturday.”
Cruz is completely focused on his work against Salcido, and he is not thinking about Keyshawn, who has said in many interviews that he does not want to fight him. Although Davis says he doesn’t want to fight Cruz again because he hasn’t proven himself at the professional level, it’s more about not wanting to get beaten again.
“It’s obviously a step in my career as I progress. My full focus is on my opponent this Saturday, a Mexican fighter who is well prepared for this,” said Cruz. “Like I said, it’s not just about saying; it’s about doing, and I’ll do what I have to do in the ring on Saturday.
“I would hope they would because we have some unfinished business there,” coach Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre said. Box Social about his fighter, Keyshawn Davis, who has “unfinished business” with Cuban, Andy Cruz after losing four times in the amateurs, including in the 2020 Olympic gold medal match. “So, we just have to go take care of that business.”
Of course, BoMac is in no rush to let his fighter Keyshawn mix it up with Cruz again because all the work he’s done 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 there’s a lot more for the Norfolk, Virginia native to lose at this level than there was in the amateurs. This is why Top Rank won’t let Davis near Cruz and let him spoil things.
FACE-OFF 👀@andydiamondcruz against Omar Salcido
🛡 IBF International & WBA Continental Latin American 135lb titles #CruzSalcido | @DAZNBoxing | #PachecoNelson pic.twitter.com/ABNjhpN5Oc
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 23, 2025
