One Tune-Up Away: Andy Cruz Sets Sights on 130-Pound Champions

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The Olympic gold medalist said he already has the physical ability to compete with the elite names at super featherweight. His team may schedule one bout to evaluate how his body responds at the new weight. Cruz expects to pursue the biggest names in the division immediately after that test.

“I have the physical ability to do it,” Cruz said to SerEbro EnlosDeportes about moving down to 130 to face Emanuel Navarrete, O’Shaquie Foster, Raymond Ford and Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez. “Maybe, from a strategic standpoint, we’ll have one fight first to see how my body responds. After that, I’ll be ready for the biggest challenges in the division.”

The 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz believes the confidence comes from changes he has made since suffering the lone defeat of his professional career against IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla.

He explained that relocating to Philadelphia full time transformed his preparation by allowing him to train full time with his coaches. Cruz (7-1, 4 KOs) said the Muratalla fight taught him he had to commit himself completely to the gym if he wanted to accomplish his goals.

The Cuban also revealed that his trainers have refined his approach inside the ring. Their goal is to have Cruz sit down on his punches. They also want him to invest more work to the body because professional boxing rewards fighters who wear opponents down instead of simply scoring points.

Cruz said amateur boxing places a premium on accuracy. Professional boxing demands a different mindset. He said the adjustments have helped him become a more effective fighter, something he believes was evident in his third-round knockout of Abraham Montoya last Saturday night on July 18th.