Andy Cruz Gomez: record, next fight and profile →
Andy Cruz, Prograis, Hearn Photos Gallery - On Saturday night at Akron Stadium in Mexico, promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom revealed his two big signings. Hearn's company inked WBC junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis – and he will make the first defense of his title against Liam Paro on home soil at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday June 17 – live worldwide on DAZN.
Cuban amateur sensation Andy Cruz has signed a long-term deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. Cruz struck gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in the Lightweight division against Keyshawn Davis in the delayed games in August 2021 and added an incredible third straight AIBA World Championship gold at Light-Welterweight in Serbia three months later, putting that medal next to those he landed at the World Championships in Germany and Russia in 2017 and 2019.
The 2021 AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships concluded today with thrilling bouts in 13 men’s weight categories, in front of a packed Stark Arena in Belgrade. 88 AIBA member federations were represented. The winners benefitted from unprecedented prize money, with gold medalists winning $100,000 each in addition to solid gold medals and champions’ belts.
Keyshawn Davis entered the Tokyo Olympics with the best shot at becoming the first American male boxer since 2004 to bring home a Gold medal. That goal fell one fight short, to an old amateur rival. Davis will take home a Silver medal for the U.S., following a decision in favor of Cuba’s Andy Cruz in their men’s lightweight division. Davis won 29-28 on one card, trumped by scores of 29-28 on four cards in favor of Cruz, who is now 4-0 versus Davis following his Gold medal haul Sunday afternoon at Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo.
One of the tourney's best boxers and clearly its biggest puncher Bakhodir Jalolov made a crucial difference in the overall standings as his gold medal super heavyweight effort signalized a win for Team Uzbekistan in an entire competition.