Eddie Hearn is known for hyperbole – he’s a boxing promoter after all – but even bearing that in mind it’s clear the Matchroom Boxing supremo is REALLY high on Andy Cruz.
The 28-year-old Cuban lightweight makes on his third professional appearance on Saturday night in Florida when he faces Brayan Zamarripa on the Edgar Berlanga vs Padraig McCrory undercard (live on DAZN).
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It’s not like Cruz (2-0) is inexperienced though – he had a stellar amateur career – and Hearn says he is already close to a world title shot. Vasiliy Lomachenko vibes….
Cruz a potential P4P great – Hearn
Speaking at Thursday’s press conference, Hearn explained: “I get told off for shouting my mouth about fighters sometimes but let’s be honest, Andy Cruz is a potential pound-for-pound great.
“He is one of the greatest amateurs of a generation and he’s moving like a train in the paid ranks, he’s in his third fight but he’s stepped up every time and last time out he demolished Jovanni Straffon to become IBF International Lightweight champion on the Devin Haney-Regis Prograis card.
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“I believe he’s a couple of fights away from challenging for a world title and I would put this man in with any 135-pounder on the planet right now.”
Cruz faces no easy task against Zamarripa (14-2) on Saturday night, and an impressive win here would just bolster his claims for a swift world title opportunity.
Hearn said: “Brayan Zamarripa is so tough, we saw him in an incredible fight in Tijuana with Angel Fierro, a fight that could have gone either way on the cards.
“He was in tears in the dressing room afterwards and I said we would give him another opportunity, and that opportunity is a huge one but a huge one but a tough one against Andy.”
Cruz says he’s progressing well
So what about Cruz himself? He’s grounded and calm with the focus all about progression.
“I’m always ready. Yes, there is pressure, yes, there are nerves, but I see that as a positive and in fact, when I am feeling that way, I am at my most dangerous. I am prepared for the fight, and it’s one thing to sit here and say you are going to do what you say you will do, as we all have the same objectives, but another thing is doing.
“As a boxer we all have goals. I hear a lot of what is going on around me but I don’t listen to it too much because ultimately, I am the person that has the final word in the ring, so I just want to demonstrate that I do belong at this level and I can go on and face the best.
“I feel that I really progressing well in this kind of new style of boxing. With every camp I have I progress even more and that’s thanks to my great gym mates and my trainer. You are starting to see a more complete Andy Cruz, a more complete boxer, and on Saturday I am going to demonstrate those qualities and I think you are going to see a mix of Cuban boxing fused with Philadelphia.”
