Andy Cruz Explained

Andy Cruz
Weight:Lightweight
Height:1.75 m
Birth Date:12 August 1995
Birth Place:Matanzas, Cuba
Style:Orthodox
Boxrec:850276
Total:7
Wins:6
Ko:3
Losses:1

Andy Cruz GΓ³mez (born 12 August 1995) is a Cuban professional boxer. He has won two gold medals at the Pan American Games, three gold medals at the AIBA World Championships,[1] and a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.[2]

Amateur career

Cruz has won multiple gold medals as an amateur including an Olympic medal, two Pan American Games medals,[3] [4] and three medals at the AIBA World Championships.[5] [6] [7] Cruz accumulated over 149 amateur bouts and amassed an amateur record of .[8] [9]

Amateur losses

Cruz accumulated only 9 defeats in his 149 amateur bouts.[10]

Highlights

style='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3; width: 20%'Eventstyle='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3; width: 17%'Roundstyle='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3; width: 10%'Resultstyle='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3; width: 43%'Opponentstyle='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3; width: 12%'Score
align='center'; bgcolor=#CC9966 Quarter-finalWinalign='left'Carlos Rochaalign='center'3–0
align='center'; bgcolor="silver" Semi-finalWinalign='left'Kenny Lallyalign='center'3–0
align='center'; bgcolor="gold" FinalWinalign='left'HΓ©ctor Luis GarcΓ­aalign='center'3–0
align='center' First roundWinalign='left'Sean McCombalign='center'5–0
align='center'; bgcolor=#CC9966 Quarter-finalWinalign='left'Elvis Rodriguezalign='center'5–0
align='center'; bgcolor="silver" Semi-finalWinalign='left'Hovhannes Bachkovalign='center'5–0
align='center'; bgcolor="gold" FinalWinalign='left'Ikboljon Kholdarovalign='center'5–0
align='center' First roundWinalign='left'Wanderson Oliveiraalign='center'4–1
align='center'; bgcolor=#CC9966 Quarter-finalWinalign='left'Hendri Cedenoalign='center'5–0
align='center'; bgcolor="silver" Semi-finalWinalign='left'Alston Ryanalign='center'5–0
align='center'; bgcolor="gold" FinalWinalign='left'Keyshawn Davisalign='center'4–1
align='center' First roundWinalign='left'Ibrahima Dialloalign='center'5–0
align='center' Second roundWin

Professional career

Early career

Andy Cruz turned professional at the age of 27, signing a deal with Matchroom Boxing.[20] [21] Cruz expressed that in his career as a professional, he will fight no easy opponents and aims to face people who will give him a challenge.[22] [23] On July 15, 2023, Cruz made his professional boxing debut against former two-time world championship challenger Juan Carlos Burgos (35–7–3, 21 KOs) in a 10-round bout at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan.[24] Cruz won his first minor title in his debut fight by unanimous decision,[25] [26] with the judges scoring the bout 100–90, 100–90, and 98–92.[27] [28] [29]

Cruz was announced to be defending his IBF International lightweight title against Hector Tanajara Jr. (21–1–1, 6 KOs) on December 9, 2023, in a 10-round bout as an undercard fight for Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis.[30] [31] Shortly after the bout was scheduled, Tanajara Jr. withdrew due to an injury.[32] Later, it was announced that former IBO world lightweight champion Jovanni Straffon (26–5–1, 19 KOs) would fight as a replacement if his visa was approved.[33] After Straffon acquired his visa, the fight was confirmed to continue at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.[34] [35] Cruz retained his IBF International lightweight title and won the vacant WBA Continental Latin-American lightweight title by knockout after the referee stopped the contest in round three, giving Cruz his first stoppage victory as a professional.[36] [37] According to CompuBox, Cruz outclassed Straffon by landing 88 out of his 146 total punches thrown (60.3%), compared to Straffon's 13 out of 76 punches thrown (17.1%).[38]

In December 2023, Cruz filed a lawsuit against New Champions Promotions for breach of contract and violation of the Ali Act; however, his main promoter, Matchroom Boxing, was mentioned but was not accused of any wrongdoing.[39] Amidst his lawsuit, Cruz was announced to be fighting Brayan Zamarripa (14–2, 5 KOs) for his third professional fight less than twenty-four hours later.[40] The ten-round contest took place as an undercard bout for the main event between Edgar Berlanga and Padraig McCrory on February 24, 2024, at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.[41] Cruz defended his titles against Zamarripa by unanimous decision, as the judges all scored the fight 100–90 in favour of Cruz.[42] [43] Cruz's promoter, Eddie Hearn, stated during an interview that he is prepared to make a massive offer for Keyshawn Davis as the next opponent for Cruz, or potentially Angel Fierro, if an agreement cannot be reached.[44]

It was announced that Cruz was to be defending his IBF International lightweight title against Antonio Moran (30–6–1, 21 KOs) on the undercard for the title fight between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California.[45] [46] Cruz defended his titles by knockout after the referee stopped the contest in round seven after Moran lost control of his footing after a sharp right hand.[47] [48] [49] According to CompuBox, Cruz landed 40% of his total punches and landed 45% of his power punches.[50] [51] A few weeks after the fight, Cruz added 2022 BWAA manager of the year winner Peter Kahn to his team in a co-managerial role.[52]

Rise up the ranks

Cruz was scheduled to defend his IBF International lightweight title against Omar Salcido (20–1, 14 KOs) at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Paradise, Nevada on January 25, 2025.[53] [54] During the press conference, his promoter, Eddie Hearn, stated that Cruz could use "a couple" more fights before heading for a world title bout.[55] Cruz won by unanimous decision, with the two judges scoring the contest 98–92 and the other judge 99–91 to defend his IBF International lightweight title for the fourth consecutive time.[56] [57] After the fight, Cruz rose to second in the IBF lightweight rankings and is in line for a title eliminator rumoured to be against the sixth ranked, Hironori Mishiro.[58] [59] [60]

Cruz was scheduled to face Hironori Mishiro (17–1, 6 KOs) in an IBF lightweight title eliminator on June 14, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York.[61] [62] It was confirmed that this would be Cruz's first time fighting a twelve-round bout in his career.[63] After Vasiliy Lomachenko retired, the interim champion Raymond Muratalla was upgraded to the new IBF lightweight champion, thus changing the opponent for the world champion to whoever wins inside the eliminator.[64] Cruz won the eliminator by fifth-round technical knockout.[65] [66] Prior to the stoppage, Mishiro was knocked down twice in the third round.[67]

IBF lightweight title shot

Cruz vs. Muratalla

Cruz rose to the top of the IBF lightweight rankings after his final eliminator.[68] The IBF ordered the bout with Raymond Muratalla for the IBF lightweight title.[69] [70] Negotiations between both camps stalled over money,[71] moving the fight to a purse bid on October 16, 2025.[72] The bid was delayed an extra week before Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing won the bid.[73] It was confirmed that Muratalla is due 65% of the winning bid as the defending titlist, while the remaining 35% would go to Cruz.[74] Cruz is scheduled to fight Raymond Muratalla (23–0, 17 KOs) for the IBF lightweight title on January 24, 2026, in Las Vegas.[75] [76] [77] At the weigh-ins, Muratalla registered a weight of 134.6 pounds, while Cruz weighed in at 134.4 pounds.[78] Despite being the challenger, Cruz was listed as the betting favourite by the bookmakers. Cruz lost the fight, and his unbeaten professional record, by majority decision, with two of the ringside judges scoring the bout 118–110 and 116–112 respectively for Muratalla, while the third had it a 114–114 draw. Despite outlanding Muratalla and being more accurate, Muratalla's activity and pressure won him the fight, particularly during the championship rounds.[79] [80]

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
7Loss6–1Raymond Muratalla12Jan 24, 2026
6Win6–0Hironori Mishiro5 (12), Jun 14, 2025
5Win5–0Omar SalcidoUD10Jan 25, 2025
4Win4–0Antonio MoranKO7 (10), Aug 3, 2024
3Win3–0Brayan ZamarripaUD10Feb 24, 2024
2Win2–0Jovanni Straffon3 (10), Dec 9, 2023
1Win1–0Juan Carlos Burgos10Jul 15, 2023

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andy Cruz' Results . 14 November 2023 . IBA Sport . en-US.
  2. Web site: Christ . Scott . 2021-08-08 . Olympics 2020 boxing results: Andy Cruz of Cuba takes gold, USA's Keyshawn Davis gets silver . 14 November 2023 . Bad Left Hook . en.
  3. Web site: 25 Jul 2015 . The first six gold medalists are crowned at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games . 12 Dec 2024 . IBA . en-US.
  4. Web site: 3 Oct 2019 . AIBA World Boxing Championships 2019 - Light-Welterweight and Welterweight . 12 Dec 2024 . THE FIGHT SITE . en-US.
  5. Web site: 3 Sep 2017 . Ukraine's Oleksandr Khyzhniak wins Best Boxer, Cuba win Best team and USA's Billy Walsh wins Best Coach in 2017 World Championship awards . 12 Dec 2024 . IBA . en-US.
  6. Web site: Orlando . Alexandra . 15 Sep 2019 . CUBA FOLLOWS LIMA 2019 WITH WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP SUCCESS . 12 Dec 2024 . Panam Sports . en-US.
  7. Web site: 7 Nov 2021 . Best boxers crowned at AIBA Men's World Boxing Championships in Belgrade . 12 Dec 2024 . Euronews . en.
  8. Web site: Gray . Tom . 13 Jul 2023 . Who is the best Cuban amateur boxer of all time? Fighters ranked ahead of Andy Cruz pro debut Sporting News . 12 Dec 2024 . Sporting News . en-us.
  9. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz Amateur Record . 12 Dec 2024 . BoxRec.
  10. Web site: 14 Jul 2023 . The Andy Cruz as a Professional Era is Upon Us, But How Will it Unfold? . https://web.archive.org/web/20240621041711/https://itrboxing.com/2023/07/14/the-andy-cruz-as-a-professional-era-is-upon-us-but-how-will-it-unfold/ . 21 June 2024 . 12 Dec 2024 . Inside the Ropes Boxing – Your #1 source for boxing news. . en-US . live .
  11. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Frank Zaldivar . 12 Dec 2024 . BoxRec.
  12. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Bin Lu . 12 Dec 2024 . BoxRec.
  13. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Yunier Echevarria . 12 Dec 2024 . BoxRec.
  14. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Dulat Bekbauov . 12 Dec 2024 . BoxRec.
  15. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Robeisy RamΓ­rez . 12 Dec 2024 . BoxRec.
  16. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Dzmitry Asanau . 12 Dec 2024 . BoxRec.
  17. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Kevin Hayler Brown . 12 Dec 2024 . BoxRec.
  18. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Sofiane Oumiha . 12 Dec 2024 . BoxRec.
  19. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Delano James . 12 Dec 2024 . BoxRec.
  20. Web site: Cuban sensation Andy Cruz signs promotional deal with Matchroom . 16 July 2023 . Matchroom Boxing . en-US.
  21. Web site: Hits . Random . Andy Cruz, Olympic Gold Medal Winner, Inks Promotional With Hearn . 16 July 2023 . Boxing Scene . en-us.
  22. Web site: Donovan . Jake . Andy Cruz: I Don't Believe In Easy Tasks In Boxing, We Chose An Opponent Who Will Challenge Us . 16 July 2023 . Boxing Scene . en-us.
  23. Web site: Sardar . Samrat . 16 July 2023. Andy Cruz Delves Into Why "Easy Tasks" Are a Problem in Boxing . 16 July 2023 . EssentiallySports.
  24. Web site: Collins . Michael . 15 July 2023. Boxing Tonight: Baumgardner Vs. Linardatou – Live Results - Boxing News . 16 July 2023 . Boxing247 . en-US.
  25. News: Campbell . Morgan . 16 July 2023. Heralded Cuban Wins in an Unusual Introduction to Pro Boxing . 30 November 2023 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  26. Web site: BoxRec: IBF International lightweight title Results . BoxRec.
  27. Web site: Photos . Boxing . Photos: Andy Cruz Goes Pro, Boxes Past Juan Carlos Burgos . 16 July 2023 . Boxing Scene . en-us.
  28. Web site: D'Writer . Vince . 16 July 2023. Andy Cruz Makes An Impressive Pro Debut With Win Over Burgos . 16 July 2023 . Boxing News 24 . en.
  29. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Juan Carlos Burgos . BoxRec.
  30. Web site: Karlov . Andrew . 5 October 2023. Andy Cruz will perform at the Haney-Prograis event . 11 November 2023 . Ringside24 . en.
  31. Web site: TV . Ring . Montana Love takes on Liam Paro at the top of the Haney-Prograis undercard . 11 November 2023 . The Ring.
  32. Web site: Donovan . Jake . Prograis-Haney: Andy Cruz Seeks New Opponent, Hector Tanajara Out With Injury . 30 November 2023 . Boxing Scene . en-us.
  33. Web site: Donovan . Jake . Jovanni Straffon Tabbed To Face Andy Cruz On Prograis-Haney Card, Pending Visa Approval . 30 November 2023 . Boxing Scene . en-us.
  34. Web site: Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis: The Big Fight Preview DAZN News US . 10 December 2023 . DAZN . en-US.
  35. Web site: Gray . Tom . 10 December 2023. Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis full card results, schedule for 2023 boxing fight Sporting News . 10 December 2023 . Sporting News . en-us.
  36. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Jovanni Straffon . BoxRec.
  37. Web site: Idec . Keith . Andy Cruz Batters Jovanni Straffon, Stops Him In 3rd Round On Prograis-Haney Undercard . 10 December 2023 . Boxing Scene . en-us.
  38. Web site: CompuBox: Andy Cruz vs. Jovanni Straffon . Compubox.
  39. Web site: Donovan . Jake . 29 December 2023 . Andy Cruz Files Lawsuit Against New Champions Promotions, Cites Breach Of Contract, Violation Of Ali Act . 25 February 2024 . BoxingScene . en-us.
  40. Web site: Donovan . Jake . 29 December 2023 . Andy Cruz-Brayan Zamarripa Confirmed For February 24 Berlanga-McCrory DAZN Show In Orlando . 25 February 2024 . BoxingScene . en-us.
  41. Web site: 18 February 2024 . What fights are on this weekend? List of boxing cards set for February 20-24 DAZN News GB . 25 February 2024 . DAZN . en-GB.
  42. Web site: Mulvaney . Kieran . 24 February 2024 . Cruz Wins Third Pro Fight By Outpointing Zamarripa . 25 February 2024 . BoxingScene . en-us.
  43. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Brayan Zamarripa . BoxRec.
  44. Web site: 25 February 2024 . Eddie Hearn names the fighter Andy Cruz could take on next if Keyshawn Davis is unavailable DAZN News GB . 28 February 2024 . DAZN . en-GB.
  45. Web site: Pugmire . Lance . 24 April 2024 . Andy Cruz Added to Burgeoning Aug. 3 Card in Los Angeles . 24 April 2024 . BoxingScene . en-us.
  46. Web site: Stumberg . Patrick . 24 April 2024 . David Morrell Jr vs Radivoje Kalajdzic and Andy Cruz vs Antonio Moran set for August 3rd . 1 May 2024 . Bad Left Hook . en.
  47. Web site: 3 August 2024 . BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran . 4 August 2024 . BoxRec.
  48. Web site: Akopyan . Manouk . 3 August 2024 . Andy Cruz crushes Antonio Moran via seventh-round KO . 4 August 2024 . BoxingScene . en-us.
  49. Web site: Parmar . Raj . 3 August 2024 . Boxing Results: Andy Cruz Scores Spectacular Knockout In Entertaining Brawl - Boxing News 24 . 4 August 2024 . BoxingNews24 . en-US.
  50. Web site: CompuBox . 3 August 2024 . CompuBox punch stats: Andy Cruz-Antonio Moran . 4 August 2024 . BoxingScene . en-us.
  51. Web site: 3 August 2024 . CompuBox: Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran . 4 August 2024 . CompuBox.
  52. Web site: Akopyan . Manouk . 19 August 2024 . Andy Cruz adds Manager of the Year winner Peter Kahn to team . 23 August 2024 . Boxing Scene . en-us.
  53. Web site: 1 Dec 2024 . Andy Cruz Vs. Omar Salcido: Fireworks Guaranteed On January 25th - Boxing News 24 . 17 Dec 2024 . BoxingNews24 . en-US.
  54. Web site: Diego Pacheco-Steven Nelson, Andy Cruz-Omar Salcido Gamez doubleheader set for Las Vegas . 17 Dec 2024 . BoxingScene . en.
  55. Web site: Pugmire . Lance . 25 Jan 2025 . Andy Cruz wants to set gold standard for Keyshawn Davis, Shakur Stevenson . 26 Jan 2025 . BoxingScene . en.
  56. Web site: 26 Jan 2025 . BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Omar Salcido . 26 Jan 2025 . BoxRec.
  57. Web site: Pugmire . Lance . 26 Jan 2025 . Andy Cruz, evolving into a contender, easily outpoints Omar Salcido . 26 Jan 2025 . BoxingScene . en.
  58. Web site: 30 Mar 2025 . International Boxing Federation IBF/USBA - Lightweight Ratings . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250330082100/https://www.ibf-usba-boxing.com/ratings/ . 30 Mar 2025 . Wayback Machine.
  59. Web site: Warrington . Declan . 12 Apr 2025 . Andy Cruz nears IBF lightweight eliminator . 12 Apr 2025 . BoxingScene . en.
  60. Web site: Stumberg . Patrick . 14 Apr 2025 . Andy Cruz vs Hironori Mishiro eliminator planned for June 14th . 15 Apr 2025 . Bad Left Hook . en.
  61. News: 16 May 2025 . Andy Cruz-Hironori Mishiro elimination bout set for June 14 in New York City . 17 May 2025 . Boxing Scene . en.
  62. News: 16 May 2025 . Andy Cruz vs Hironori Mishiro eliminator leads Hitchins vs Kambosos undercard . 17 May 2025 . Bad Left Hook . en.
  63. News: 16 May 2025 . Andy Cruz vs Hironori Mishiro tops Hitchins-Kambosos undercard . 17 May 2025 . FIGHTMAG.
  64. Web site: Ivers . Tom . 9 June 2025 . Andy Cruz benefits from Vasiliy Lomachenko retirement, says promoter . 10 June 2025 . Boxing Scene . en.
  65. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Hironori Mishiro . 15 June 2025 . BoxRec.
  66. Web site: Lelinwalla . Mark . 15 June 2025 . Andy Cruz looks sensational in fifth-round TKO of Hironori Mishiro to become mandatory challenger to IBF lightweight world championship . 15 June 2025 . DAZN.
  67. Web site: Christ . Scott . 14 June 2025 . Andy Cruz destroys Hironori Mishiro in IBF eliminator, takes crack at Keyshawn Davis . 15 June 2025 . Bad Left Hook . en.
  68. Web site: Andy Cruz is officially the IBF’s new No. 1 lightweight contender. BoxingScene. 30 November 2025. en. Greisman. David. 9 July 2025.
  69. Web site: IBF orders Raymond Muratalla to defend lightweight title vs. Andy Cruz. RingMagazine. 3 October 2025. 30 November 2025. en. Akopyan. Manouk.
  70. Web site: Raymond Muratalla-Andy Cruz mandatory title fight ordered by IBF. BoxingScene. 30 November 2025. en. 3 October 2025. Donovan. Jake.
  71. Web site: Raymond Muratalla-Andy Cruz title fight talks hit financial snag. BoxingScene. 30 November 2025. en. 22 July 2025. Donovan. Jake.
  72. Web site: Raymond Muratalla-Andy Cruz IBF title fight heads to purse bid on Oct. 16. BoxingScene. 30 November 2025. en. 9 October 2025. Donovan. Jake.
  73. Web site: Raymond Muratalla-Andy Cruz title fight purse bid delayed one week. BoxingScene. 30 November 2025. en. 16 October 2025. Donovan. Jake.
  74. Web site: Raymond Muratalla-Andy Cruz purse bid won by Matchroom Boxing. BoxingScene. 30 November 2025. en. 23 October 2025. Donovan. Jake.
  75. Web site: Raymond Muratalla vs. Andy Cruz Lands On January 24 In Las Vegas. RingMagazine. 31 October 2025. 30 November 2025. en. Themistode. Hans.
  76. Web site: Raymond Muratalla vs Andy Cruz reportedly set for January 24 in Las Vegas. Bad Left Hook, Global Boxing News and Commentary. 31 October 2025. 30 November 2025. en-US. Patrick. Stumberg.
  77. Web site: Raymond Muratalla-Andy Cruz set for January 24 in Las Vegas. BoxingScene. 30 November 2025. en. 31 October 2025. Pugmire. Lance.
  78. Web site: Gonzalez . Abraham . 23 January 2026 . Raymond Muratalla vs Andy Cruz: Weigh-In Results & Betting Odds . 24 January 2026 . Fights Around The World . en-US.
  79. Web site: Raymond Muratalla Retains IBF Title With Majority Decision over Andy Cruz. The Ring. 25 January 2026.
  80. Web site: Muratalla Keeps IBF Title After Controversial Decision Over Cruz. Boxing 24/7. 25 January 2026.