Can Andy Cruz Conquer Salcido? WBC Title Shot on the Line

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

Targeting Shakur

If Cruz wins this fight, he’ll be mandatory for WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and can force a fight against him, possibly in 2026, if he doesn’t lose his belt before then. Shakur won’t be in a hurry to fight Andy because he’s like a better version of himself. Cruz is defensive like Stevenson, but with power and offensive skills, that would be too much for him.

Cruz turned professional two years ago in 2023 after leaving his native Cuba and now lives in Miami, Florida. He’s trained by Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis, who is making slight tweaks in his fighting style to make him more of a front-foot fighter who goes on the attack. It appears he’s trying to retool him to be more like his son, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

A Father’s Motivation 

“Aside from getting the win on Saturday, I want to make my son, Keyshawn, proud. I want him to feel proud of his dad if he is ringside,” said Andy Cruz to Matchroom Boxing about Keyshawn Davis, who he whipped four times in the amateurs, including in the 2020 Olympic gold medal finals.

Andy says he wants to make Keyshawn proud of his papa if he’s ringside to watch him fight Salcido. Andy schooled Keyshawn four times in the amateurs, and the last time they met was in the 2020 Olympics finals.

It was embarrassing to watch, as the fight was so one-sided in favor of Cruz. After the fight, Davis seemed to lose his senses entirely, celebrating around the ring, standing on the ropes, waving his arms, and shouting. The crowd looked on in puzzlement, not knowing what to think.