Andy Cruz says he is ready to fight Omar Salcedo in a 10-round WBC lightweight title eliminator on 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) is looking to become the mandatory challenger for WBC 135-pound champion Shakur Stevenson with a win over Salcedo (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. Salcedo is the co-feature of the Diego Pacheco vs. Steve Nelson bout, which will be live on DAZN. This is Cruz’s chance to win over new fans who haven’t seen him fight. Cruz, a two-year-old pro, hasn’t been around long enough for fans to see him, so he has 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 worked hard all these months with Jose Benavidez. Our plan is to move forward and get this victory,” Omar Salcedo said during today’s fight. Final press conferencetalks about his fight Saturday night against Andy Cruz in a WBC lightweight title eliminator.

“Andy, it looks like it’s your biggest move yet. It was a bit of a relief the last time you went out on this huge show in Los Angeles now,” Eddie Hearn told Cruz. “You’re only two fights away from the 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. Everyone is a good swimmer when they’re not in the water,” Cruz said.

“I know you have World Series ambitions in 2025. People are talking about wanting to make your son, Keshawn, proud on Saturday if he comes,” Hearn told Cruz about wanting to make Keshawn Davis proud. “I know you are very attached to this man who will face a real test, Cuba against Mexico on Saturday.”

Cruz has been fully focused on his job against Salcedo, and is not thinking about Keshawn, who has already said in several 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 professionally, it’s more about not wanting to get beaten again.

“Of course, this is a step forward in my career as I move forward. My full focus is on my opponent on Saturday, and he is a Mexican fighter who is well prepared for that,” Cruz said. “Like I said, it’s not just about saying; It’s about doing it, and I’ll do what I have to do on Saturday in the ring.

“I hope they do because we have some unfinished business there,” coach Brian “Bomak” McIntyre said. Social boxing About that his fighter Keshawn Davis has “unfinished business” with Cuban Andy Cruz after losing to him four times in the amateur division, including the 2020 Olympic gold medal bout. “So, we just have to go take care of this business.”

BoMac is clearly in no rush to let his fighter Keyshawn mix it up with Cruz again because all the work he has put in in the gym could evaporate. Cruz has proven time and time again that he is better than Keshawn, defeating him four times in a row.

It won’t be any different in the pros, and there’s a lot more to lose for the Norfolk, Va., native at this level than there was in the amateurs. That’s why Top Rank won’t let Davis get close to Cruz and have him screw things up.

Confront 👀@andydiamondcruz Against Omar Salcedo

🛡 IBF International and WBA Continental Latin American titles at 135 lbs #CruzSalcedo | @DAZNBoxing | #paciconelson pic.twitter.com/ABNjhpN5Oc

— Match Room Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 23, 2025