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Andy Cruz showcased his talents in just his third professional fight, going the distance over 10 rounds against Brayan Zamarripa and securing a dominant victory.
Cruz, a former Olympic champion who triumphed over Keyshawn Davis in the Tokyo Games final, hinted at a potential future clash with Davis, emphasizing that the decision rests with Davis to prove himself as one of the best.
"Whether we face each other completely depends upon Keyshawn Davis," Cruz stated through a translator. "I'm progressing. I'm doing well.
I'm doing what I can to do best but he has to go on and show he's one of the best so it completely depends on him as to whether we will face each other in the future."
The Cuban southpaw delivered a masterful performance against Zamarripa, earning a unanimous 100-90 victory on all scorecards. Cruz expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting Zamarripa's survival-focused approach.
"I'm very happy," Cruz said. "Because we achieved the overall objective, which was to win. I noticed from the start it was a question of time and I also noted from the beginning that he was there to survive."
Looking ahead, Cruz is eager to continue his rapid progression in the professional ranks. With his sights set on the April 20 Brooklyn card headlined by Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia, Cruz aims to make a statement and move quickly towards a world title shot.
"I want to take gigantic steps, with respect to other boxers," Cruz emphasized. "I want to move very quickly given the experience I've had in the amateurs so what I want to do is progress as quickly as possible, to show I'm ready for big things in the professional game."
Cruz's defensive prowess also caught the attention of WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, who praised Cruz's elite defense during the fight. Cruz welcomed the recognition, expressing his desire to become a legend in the sport and prove his versatility and skill in the professional arena.
"I wanted to come into the professional game and show I can box at any distance," Cruz asserted. "I'm very versatile and I wanted to show the doubters I can go on and do good things in my professional career."
As Cruz continues his journey in the professional ranks, boxing fans eagerly anticipate his future matchups and potential showdowns with the sport's elite, including a possible clash with Keyshawn Davis that could further solidify Cruz's status as a rising star in boxing.