Andy Cruz says he is ready to fight Omar Salcido for their 10-round WBC lightweight title eliminator this Saturday, January 25 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas at the Chelsea Ballroom in Las Vegas.

2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) looks to become the mandatory challenger for WBC 135-lb champion Shakur Stevenson with a win over Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs). The Mexican fighter is coming off a ninth-round knockout of Chris Colbert on October 16 of last year.

Cruz vs. Salcido is the co-feature of the Diego Pacheco vs. Steve Nelson fight, which will be live on the dozen. It's Cruz's chance to win over new fans who haven't seen him fight. A two-year pro Cruise wasn't a long time to be seen by fans, so he's made the most of every opportunity to be in the spotlight.

Title shot

“Andy Cruz was a great amateur fighter and had a great amateur career, but we've been working very hard this month with Jose Benavidez. We have to go with the plan and get this victory,” Omar Salcido said today Final press conferenceTalking about his WBC lightweight title eliminator fight against Andy Cruz this Saturday night.

“Andy, this looks like the biggest step for you yet. It was pretty comfortable last time on that big show in Los Angeles,” Eddie Horn said to Cruz. “You're only two fights away from a world championship. Saturday is a real test for you.”

“I'm excited for my fight on Saturday. I'm not big. Everyone is a great swimmer when they're not in the water, Cruz said.

“I know you have world championship ambitions for 2025. You want to be proud on Saturday when people want to raise you son Keeshan,” Horn told Cruz of wanting to make Keishavon Davis proud. “I know you're firmly committed to this guy, with Cuba a real test against Mexico on Saturday.”

Cruz is fully focused on his work against Salcido and he is not thinking about Kishan, who has already said in many interviews that he does not want to fight him. Although Davis says he doesn't want to fight Cruz again because he hasn't proven himself at the pro level, it's more if he doesn't want to beat him again.

“Obviously, it's a step up in my career as I progress. My whole focus is on my opponent this Saturday, a Mexican fighter who is well prepared for this,” Cruz said. “Like I said, it's not just about talking; it's about doing it, and I'll do what I need to do in the ring on Saturday.

“I hope they get some unfinished business out there,” coach Brian 'Bomack' McIntyre said. Boxing is social As for his fighter, Keeshan Davis, the Cuban left “unfinished business” with Andy Cruz after beating him four times by amateurs, including a 2020 Olympic gold medal match. “So, we just got to go take care of that business.”

Bomack is clearly in no rush to reunite his warrior Keeshan with Cruise because all the work he's done in the gym could go up in smoke. Cruz has proven time and time again that he is too good for Keyshan, beating him four times in a row.

It will be no different in the pros, and the Norfolk, Virginia native has more to lose at this level than the amateurs. That's why the top ranks won't let Davis get anywhere near Cruz and spoil things.

face to face@andydiamondcruz vs. Omar Salcido

🛡 IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American 135 lb titles #CruzSalcido |. @dozenboxing |. #patchconnelson pic.twitter.com/abnjhpn5oc

– Matchroom Boxing (@matchroomboxing) January 23, 2025