2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) is one week away from facing Mexican slugger Omar Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs) for the WBC lightweight title on January 25, live on DAZN from The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas.
Cruz-Salcido will be fighting the undercard of Diego Pacheco vs. Steve Nelson, and there’s a good chance they’ll steal the show. Also on the card is undefeated light welterweight Ernesto Mercado (16-0, 15 KOIs) against former two-division world champion Jose ‘Sniper’ Pedraza.
WBC Title Eliminator
If Andy Cruz wins against Salcido, the talented Cuban will have a chance to challenge the WBC lightweight champion. Shakur Stevenson for his title this year. Shakur has big plans for this year. He hopes to beat Floyd Schofield on February 22nd and defend against #1 William Zepeda if he can’t lure Vasily Lomachenko into the ring.
To finish, fight Gervonta Davis at the end of the year. Most likely, Shakur will have to settle for someone else, but probably not Cruz unless the World Boxing Council gives him a choice.
“My son”
Cruz would also like to face Keyshawn Davis if he can capture the WBO lightweight title next month in his fight against champion Denys Berinchyk on February 14 at Madison Square Garden. Andy knows Keyshawn well, whom he calls “My Son” by having him fight him four times, beating him each time in one-sided contests.
Cruz’s win was so dominant in the 2020 Olympic finals that Keyshawn seemed to lose his mind, celebrating his defeat after the fight, apparently losing the fight. Since Cruz became champion in 2023, he has called out Keyshawn again, but no luck.
The Norfolk, Virginia native wants no part of fighting Cruz again, and it’s understandable why. He’s going to ruin his career, and he won’t be able to do that to the pros.
It’s a very different story when you lose in the pro game because it’s permanent and it’s hard to come back unless someone like Turki Al-Sheikh is interested in you and willing to let you. loss day and night and continue to find opportunities for big paydays.
“Yes, this is for the people [WBC] it’s mandatory,” said Andy Cruz on YSM Sports Media when asked if his fight with Omar Salcido is to eliminate the WBC lightweight title on January 25th in order to find the next mandatory challenge for champion Shakur Stevenson.
“When that time comes, I’ll talk differently,” Cruz said about fighting Shakur. “A class with a lot of talent. There are many skilled fighters. I just focus on me.
💎 @Andydiamondcruz perfect for light and… @DAZNBoxing #CruzSalcido | Jan 25 | #PachecoNelson pic.twitter.com/aD0UcmWhmq
– Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 17, 2025
