PHILADELPHIA, PA — Andy Cruz walks around Bozy Ennis’ North Philadelphia basement gym with a mischievous grin, as if to imply the former Cuban Olympian knows something you do not know. Cruz will be fighting Mexican Antonio Moran this Saturday in a 10-round lightweight fight on the Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov undercard from the BMO Stadium, in Los Angeles.
Cruz (3-0, 1 knockout) has grand plans and this fight against the experienced Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) is another step in the process. Cruz, the Cuban 2020 Olympic lightweight gold medalist who defeated The Ring’s 2022 Prospect of the Year Keyshawn Davis in the 2020 Olympic Games and 2019 World Amateur Championships finals, has plans on winning a professional world title in 2025.
Cruz is doing it at great sacrifice. He still remembers the contours of his son’s face. It has not been that long since the 28-year-old southpaw has been away from his son. But each time he comes to the United States and lands in Philadelphia means more time away from his boy, who lives in Cuba with his mother. Cruz also knows he is on a journey that will give his son a better destination.
“It is why I make the sacrifice,” Cruz said. “I know what it was like being in prison when I tried leaving Cuba and was caught. I feel great going into this fight. I am under weight already. Every fight I feel stronger and better, my skills are tighter. I don’t know much about (Moran), but he is a great fighter and is a Mexican fighter and has a lot more experience that I have. Every fight is a challenge for me, and I get better and sharper with every fight.
“I have bigger plans ahead. This is my second fight this year, and I would like to fight two, or three more times before the end of the year. I would love that.”
Cruz dominated Mexican southpaw Brayan Rodriguez (14-3, 5 KOs) in his last outing in February, winning by a 10-round shutout. Moran is 5-foot-11 and has been in with Arnold Barboza Jr., Jermaine Ortiz and Devin Haney.
Moran will be there to be hit.
Cruz will not.
“That’s the plan,” said Ennis, the father and trainer of IBF titlist and The Ring’s No. 1 welterweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis. “Every time I work with Andy he gets better. He listens and he puts in the time. The only thing in his way is time. He’s going to be a champion one day, and one day soon.”
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Magazine/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Follow @JSantoliquito
