Can Andy Cruz win Salcido? WBC title on the line

Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KO) says he’s hoping for his “son,” Keyshawn Davis, will be ringside to watch him take on Omar Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round WBC lightweight title eliminator in a co-headlining event this Saturday, January 25th at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, in Las Vegas. Cruz-Salcido will fight on the Diego Pacheco vs. Steven Nelson card live on DAZN.

Targeting Shakur

If Cruz wins this fight, he will be mandatory for the WBC lightweight title Shakur Stevenson and can fight him, possibly in 2026, if he doesn’t lose the belt before then. Shakur won’t rush Andy because he’s like a better version of himself. Cruz is defensive like Stevenson, but with the power and offensive skills, it would be too much for him.

Cruz turned pro two years ago in 2023 after leaving his native Cuba and now lives in Miami, Florida. He is trained by Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis, who is making small changes to his fighting style to make him more of a frontal, attacking fighter. He seems to be trying to remodel him to be more like his son Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

Father’s motivation

“Besides winning on Saturday, I want to make my son, Keyshawn, proud. I want him to feel proud of his dad when he’s in the ring,” Andy Cruz told Matchroom Boxing about Keyshawn Davis, who he has defeated four times in the amateurs, including in the finals for a 2020 Olympic gold medal.

Andy says he wants to make Keyshawn proud of his dad by being ringside to watch him fight Salcido. Andy has trained Keyshawn four times in the amateurs, and the last time they met was in the finals of the 2020 Olympics.

It was embarrassing to watch because the fight was so one-sided in Cruz’s favor. After the fight, Davis seemed to have completely lost his mind, celebrating in the ring, standing on the ropes, waving his arms and shouting. The crowd looked confused, not knowing what to think.

👀🍿 @andydiamondcruz welcomes you ringside on Saturday, @keyshawndavis8#CruzSalcido | @DAZNBoks | #PachecoNelson pic.twitter.com/F2AG0YZ5lP

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 23, 2025