Why Andy Cruz is the unconcerned King of the Lightweight Division: intends to dominate Mishiro to challenge IBF champion Raymond Muratalla

2020 Olympic Gold Medal Andy Cruz says he is “ready for war” in his 12-round IBF lightweight title eliminator against Hironori Mishiro on Saturday, June 14 at the Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York. This battle was able to show the show on the Richardson Hitchins against George Kambosos Jr. -Chard on Dazn Steel.

Cruz vs. Mishiro Eliminator

Andy Cruz wants to deliver a MasterClass show to make a statement by dominating the 5’9 1/2 “Mishiro to let IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla know that he is next. If the competition takes place next, Cruz would struggle for a world title in just his 7th fight as a pro. This is rare these days, as promoters tend to develop their fighters before being placed in world title situations.

Andy Cruz: Uncroned King

Andy has not been discussed much because of his still Young career with five battles, but many boxing fans believe he is the next king of the 135-pound division. Cruz has the skills to defeat lightweight champions Muratalla, Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis. He just needs the opportunity to fight against them. I see Andy Cruz as the unconcerned king of the lightweight division.

He has more talent than any of the current champions, especially the worst link, Shakur. The contender Abdullah Mason is also not in the same league as Cruz. Hopefully, the top ranking is wise to keep Mason far from Cruz as if they were doing with Keyshawn Davis. He must be protected from the Cuban wolf.

Cruz tried to attract former WBO lightweight champion Keyshawn Davis to fight against him, but he did not want to share it with him after losing four times to the Cuban talent in the amateurs. The self -said ‘businessman’ Davis chose to leave the 135 pound division rather than stay and possibly lose a fifth time to Cruz.

Mishiro’s Challenge: Unprepared

It is difficult to get a good partner at Mishiro’s talent level, because his opposition is barren of recognizable names. He is a classic definition of a fighter who worked his entire eight-year-old pro career in Japan in darkness.

It is excellent that Mishiro finally gets the chance to fight in the IBF title -Liminator against Cruz, but it is not under ideal circumstances. Mishiro is thrown here at the wolves, with Cruz, because he has no one on his resume to prepare him for this kind of fight.

Ready for war pic.twitter.com/6XGXTVOLN

– Andy Cruz Gómez (@andycruzgomezjr) June 10, 2025