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:4
Wins:4
Ko:2

Andy Cruz Gómez (born 12 August 1995) is a Cuban professional boxer. He has won two gold medals at the Pan American Games as well as three gold medals at the AIBA World Championships.[1] He is the current reigning Olympic lightweight gold medallist after competing in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.[2]

Professional career

Early career

Andy Cruz turned professional at the age of 27, signing a deal with Matchroom Boxing.[3] [4] 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.[5] [6] On July 15, 2023, Cruz made his professional boxing debut against former two-time world championship challenger Juan Carlos Burgos (35–7–3) in a 10-round bout at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan.[7] Cruz won his first minor title in his debut fight by unanimous decision,[8] [9] with the judges scoring the bout 100–90, 100–90, and 98–92.[10] [11] [12]

Cruz was announced to be defending his IBF International lightweight title against Hector Tanajara Jr. (21–1–1) on December 9, 2023, in a 10-round bout as an undercard fight for Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis.[13] [14] Shortly after the bout was scheduled, Tanajara Jr. withdrew due to an injury.[15] Later, it was announced that former IBO world lightweight champion Jovanni Straffon (26–5–1) would fight as a replacement if his visa was approved.[16] After Straffon acquired his visa, the fight was confirmed to continue at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.[17] [18] 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.[19] [20] 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%).[21]

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.[22] Amidst his lawsuit, Cruz was announced to be fighting Brayan Zamarripa (14–2) for his third professional fight less than twenty-four hours later.[23] 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.[24] Cruz defended his titles against Zamarripa by unanimous decision, as the judges all scored the fight 100–90 in favour of Cruz.[25] [26] 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.[27]

It was announced that Cruz was to be defending his IBF International lightweight title against Antonio Moran (30–6–1) on the undercard for the title fight between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California.[28] [29] 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.[30] [31] [32] According to CompuBox, Cruz landed 40% of his total punches and landed 45% of his power punches.[33] [34]

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Results . 14 November 2023 . 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: Cuban sensation Andy Cruz signs promotional deal with Matchroom . 16 July 2023 . Matchroom Boxing . en-US.
  4. Web site: Hits . Random . Andy Cruz, Olympic Gold Medal Winner, Inks Promotional With Hearn . 16 July 2023 . Boxing Scene . en-us.
  5. 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.
  6. Web site: Sardar . Samrat . Andy Cruz Delves Into Why "Easy Tasks" Are a Problem in Boxing . 16 July 2023 . EssentiallySports.
  7. Web site: Collins . Michael . Boxing Tonight: Baumgardner Vs. Linardatou – Live Results - Boxing News . 16 July 2023 . Boxing247 . en-US.
  8. News: Campbell . Morgan . Heralded Cuban Wins in an Unusual Introduction to Pro Boxing . 30 November 2023 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  9. Web site: BoxRec: IBF International lightweight title Results . BoxRec.
  10. Web site: Photos . Boxing . Photos: Andy Cruz Goes Pro, Boxes Past Juan Carlos Burgos . 16 July 2023 . Boxing Scene . en-us.
  11. Web site: D'Writer . Vince . Andy Cruz Makes An Impressive Pro Debut With Win Over Burgos . 16 July 2023 . Boxing News 24 . en.
  12. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Juan Carlos Burgos . BoxRec.
  13. Web site: Karlov . Andrew . Andy Cruz will perform at the Haney-Prograis event . 11 November 2023 . Ringside24 . en.
  14. Web site: TV . Ring . Montana Love takes on Liam Paro at the top of the Haney-Prograis undercard . 11 November 2023 . The Ring.
  15. Web site: Donovan . Jake . Prograis-Haney: Andy Cruz Seeks New Opponent, Hector Tanajara Out With Injury . 30 November 2023 . Boxing Scene . en-us.
  16. 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.
  17. Web site: Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis: The Big Fight Preview DAZN News US . 10 December 2023 . DAZN . en-US.
  18. Web site: Gray . Tom . Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis full card results, schedule for 2023 boxing fight Sporting News . 10 December 2023 . Sporting News . en-us.
  19. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Jovanni Straffon . BoxRec.
  20. 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.
  21. Web site: CompuBox: Andy Cruz vs. Jovanni Straffon . Compubox.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. Web site: Mulvaney . Kieran . 24 February 2024 . Cruz Wins Third Pro Fight By Outpointing Zamarripa . 25 February 2024 . BoxingScene . en-us.
  26. Web site: BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Brayan Zamarripa . BoxRec.
  27. 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.
  28. Web site: Pugmire . Lance . 24 April 2024 . Andy Cruz Added to Burgeoning Aug. 3 Card in Los Angeles . 24 April 2024 . BoxingScene . en-us.
  29. 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.
  30. Web site: 3 August 2024 . BoxRec: Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran . 4 August 2024 . BoxRec.
  31. Web site: Akopyan . Manouk . 3 August 2024 . Andy Cruz crushes Antonio Moran via seventh-round KO . 4 August 2024 . BoxingScene . en-us.
  32. 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.
  33. Web site: CompuBox . 3 August 2024 . CompuBox punch stats: Andy Cruz-Antonio Moran . 4 August 2024 . BoxingScene . en-us.
  34. Web site: 3 August 2024 . CompuBox: Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran . 4 August 2024 . CompuBox.

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