Andy Cruz On Facing Keyshawn Davis In The Pro Ranks: ‘It’s A Possible Future Fight’
Cuban lightweight prospect Andy Cruz has said he would be interested in a future fight with amateur rival Keyshawn Davis once the American has proved himself to be one of the best in the division.
Cruz turned professional in July last year after one of the most decorated amateur careers in boxing history. Holding an official amateur record of 140 wins against just nine losses, Cruz won six major gold medals: at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, three straight at the World Championships (2017, 2019, 2021), and back-to-back at the Pan American Games in 2015 and 2019.
In three of those finals – the Olympics, 2019 World Championships, and 2019 Pan American Games – Cruz beat Davis to win the gold medals.
Since then, both fighters have made the transition to the professional ranks, with Davis further along on his journey having turned pro in February 2021.
The 24-year-old American fought earlier this month when he claimed the biggest win of his career with a sixth-round stoppage of former world champion Jose Pedraza in the co-main event for Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs Jamaine Ortiz in Las Vegas. The victory took his perfect record to 10 wins with seven knockouts.
Cruz, meanwhile, competes in his third pro fight on Saturday against Mexican Brayan Zamarripa Rodriguez as the 28-year-old gets fast-tracked through the lightweight division. He won the IBF international lightweight title on his debut and will make his second defense on the Edgar Berlanga vs Padraig McCrory undercard at Caribe Royale Orlando in Florida.
Given their parallel professional paths and their fierce amateur rivalry, it has raised hopes that Cruz and Davis could soon meet inside a professional ring. The Cuban said he is open to the fight, but it will depend on whether Davis fits into his plans.
“I want to go on and continue fighting the best in the division. If Keyshawn Davis becomes one of the best in the division, then it’s a possible future fight, but I’m just making my own way and advancing at the moment,” Cruz said in an interview with iFL TV.
Cruz Ready To Fight The Best
Cruz did, however, compliment Davis on his recent performance against Pedraza, saying: “I have to give credit to Keyshawn Davis. He is a fighter that does have a decent level. I think he talks too much sometimes, but you can’t take away the bravery of a fighter going in there [to the ring]. I think it was a very good victory for him.”
Despite only having two pro fights, Cruz is already ranked in the top 15 by both the IBF and WBA in a stacked lightweight division. At present, only the WBC (Shakur Stevenson) and WBA (Gervonta Davis) have belt holders, with the vacant IBF and WBO straps to be claimed by the winner of May’s bout between former unified champions Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr.
Asked if he was targeting any particular fighters to continue his climb up the rankings and towards world title shots, Cruz insisted he is keeping his options open.
“I don’t have a specific name in mind because there are so many great fighters in this division, so it’s tough to pick out an individual name,” he said. “It’s all about moments and it depends on the level of the opposition. If you’re the best, I want to face you.”
