Prospect of the Month (December): Andy Cruz
28-year-old Andy Cruz from Matanzas, Cuba, started 2023 as an Amateur and ended as a legitimate world title contender who is entirelty expected to win that title in the most competitive division in the sport by the end of 2024. It's no surprise that Cruz, who made his pro debut in a scheduled 10-rounder, is being moved along quickly, and that's precisely what happened. The Cuban put on a dazzling performance at the Chase Center in San Francisco on the undercard of Haney-Prograis to move his record to 2-0 (1), pick up the first stoppage of his career, establish himself as a legitimate world title challenger at 135-pounds and take home our Prospect of the Month award.
The Cuban Gold Medalist was originally scheduled to take on slick Texan boxer Hector Tanajara. Tanajara was unable to go due to an injury and was replaced by Mexican come-forward slugger Jovanni Straffon. In other words, on short notice, he was given the complete opposite of Tanajara. It made no difference as Cruz put on an absolute show. Showing off dazzling hand speed in the early going. The warning signs were all there. This was going to be a mismatch. Cruz scored with a crisp, clean multi-punch combination that backed the Mexican into the ropes. Cruz, whose power was questioned before this fight, answered any doubters and got the attention of Straffon with a straight about halfway into the opening round. The second round was more of the same. A right-left combination by Cruz stunned Straffon early in the second round. The Gold Medalist continued to tee off on Straffon, and a vicious right uppercut buckled Straffon. The fight could have been stopped there however Straffon fought on. Nothing hanged in the third as Cruz continued to dazzle with five and six -punch combinations that scored with accuracy. The official stoppage came at :53 seconds into the third round as Crux moved his record 2-0 (1).
Cruz has the world has the boxing world at his fingertips. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, thinks he is the best fighter in the division and can't wait to get him a world title shot. The undefeated Cuban has already scheduled his next fight, February 24th in Orlando, Florida. He will scrap with Mexican southpaw Brayan Zamarripa for the IBF international lightweight title. After that, Hearn may seriously look to get his Lightweight a world title shot. The IBF world title is currently vacant should Cruz, is already ranked in the top 15 by the IBF, win in February and pick up the international title. Hearn could realistically have his man in position to fight for the title, regardless of who wins it.
