PHILADELPHIA, PA – Andy Cruz walks around Bozy Ennis' North Philadelphia basement gym with a grim attitude, as if to say the former Cuban Olympian knows something you don't. Cruz will fight Antonio Moran of Mexico on Saturday in a 10-round lightweight fight at Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov at BMO Stadium, Los Angeles.
Cruz (3-0, 1 knockout) has great plans and this fight against the experienced Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) is another step in that process. Cruz, a 2020 Olympic lightweight gold medalist who defeated The Ring's 2022 Prospect of the Year Keyshawn Davis at the 2020 Olympic Games and a 2019 World Amateur Championships finalist, has plans to win a professional world title in 2025 .
Cruz is doing it with great sacrifice. He still remembers his son's face. It wasn't long before the 28-year-old southpaw left with his son. But each time he comes to the United States and lives in Philadelphia means more time away from his boy, who lives in Cuba with his mother. Cruz also knows that he is on a journey that will give his son a better place to go.
“That's why I made the sacrifice,” Cruz said. “I know what it was like to be in prison when I tried to leave Cuba and was caught. I feel good going to this fight. I am under weight. Every fight I feel stronger and better, my skills are getting stronger. I don't know much about (Moran), but he's a martial artist and a Mexican professional and has a lot of experience that I have. Every fight is a challenge for me, and I get better and sharper with every fight.
“I have big plans to deal with. This is my second fight this year, and I would like to fight two, or three more before the end of the year. I'd love to.”
Cruz defeated Mexican southpaw Bryan Rodriguez (14-3, 5 KOs) in his last outing in February, winning by stoppage of 10 rounds. Moran is 5-foot-11 and has been with Arnold Barboza Jr., Jermaine Ortiz and Devin Haney.
Moran will be there to be beaten.
Cruz will not.
“That's the plan,” said Ennis, who is the father and trainer of IBF heavyweight champion and The Ring's No. 1 Jaron “Boots” Ennis. 1 welterweight. “Every time I work with Andy he gets better. He listens and is on time. The only thing standing in his way is time. He will be a champion one day, and one day soon.”
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sports writer who has worked for Ring Magazine/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Follow @JSantoliquito
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