Andy Cruz after defeating Jovanni Straffon by third-round knockout in December 2023. (Picture by Ezra Shaw/Getty Pictures)
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Andy Cruz walks round Bozy Ennis’ North Philadelphia basement fitness center with a mischievous grin, as if to suggest the previous Cuban Olympian is aware of one thing you have no idea. Cruz will probably be combating Mexican Antonio Moran this Saturday in a 10-round light-weight struggle on the Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov undercard on the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Cruz (3-0, 1 knockout) has grand plans, and this struggle towards the skilled Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) is one other step within the course of. Cruz, the Cuban 2020 Olympic light-weight gold medalist who defeated The Ring’s 2022 Prospect of the 12 months, Keyshawn Davis, within the 2020 Olympic Video games and 2019 World Novice Championships finals, has plans on profitable an expert world title in 2025.
Cruz is doing it at nice sacrifice. He nonetheless remembers the contours of his son’s face. It has not been that lengthy because the 28-year-old southpaw has been away from his son. However every time he involves america and lands in Philadelphia means extra time away from his boy, who lives in Cuba together with his mom. Cruz additionally is aware of he’s on a journey that may give his son a greater vacation spot.
“It’s why I make the sacrifice,” Cruz mentioned. “I do know what it was like being in jail once I tried leaving Cuba and was caught. I really feel nice going into this struggle. I’m underneath weight already. Each struggle I really feel stronger and higher, my abilities are tighter. I don’t know a lot about (Moran), however he is a good fighter and is a Mexican fighter and has much more expertise that I’ve. Each struggle is a problem for me, and I get higher and sharper with each struggle.
“I’ve greater plans forward. That is my second struggle this 12 months, and I want to struggle two, or three extra occasions earlier than the top of the 12 months. I might love that.”
Cruz dominated Mexican southpaw Brayan Rodriguez (14-3, 5 KOs) in his final outing in February, profitable by a 10-round shutout. Moran is 5-foot-11 and has been in with Arnold Barboza Jr., Jamaine Ortiz and Devin Haney.
Moran will probably be there to be hit.
Cruz won’t.
“That’s the plan,” mentioned Ennis, the daddy and coach of IBF titlist and The Ring’s No. 1 welterweight, Jaron “Boots” Ennis. “Each time I work with Andy, he will get higher. He listens and he places within the time. The one factor in his method is time. He’s going to be a champion sooner or later, and sooner or later quickly.”
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Journal/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.
Comply with @JSantoliquito
