2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) is set to face Mexican slugger Omar Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs) in a WBC lightweight title eliminator on January 25 KO), Las Metropolis TV live on DAZN Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas.

Cruz-Salcido will be the undercard in Diego Pacheco’s fight against Steve Nelson, and they’ll likely steal the show. Also, undefeated light welterweight Ernesto Mercado (16-0, 15 KOI) will take on former two-division world champion Jose “The Sniper” · Jose “Sniper” Pedraza fights.

WBC Championship Knockout

If Andy Cruz defeats Salcido, the talented Cuban will be in a position to challenge for the WBC lightweight title Shakur Stevenson for his title this year. Shakur has bigger plans this year. He hopes to defeat Floyd Schofield on February 22 and then, if he can’t lure Vasily Lomachenko into the ring, take on No. 1 William Zepeda.

On top of that, facing Gervonta Davis at the end of the year. More likely, Shakur will have to settle for someone else, but probably not Cruz, unless the World Boxing Council gives him no choice.

“my son”

Cruz also hopes to fight Keyshawn Davis if he can capture the WBO lightweight title next month on February 14 at Madison Square Garden against champion Dennis Belinchik. Andy was very familiar with Keyshawn, whom he called “my son” because he had fought him four times in amateur competition, beating him in lopsided fashion each time.

Cruz’s victory in the 2020 Olympic final was so dominant that Keyshawn seemed to lose his mind and celebrated his defeat after the fight, making it seem obvious that he had lost the fight. Since Cruz turned pro in 2023, he has made repeated requests to Keyshawn without success.

The Norfolk, Virginia, native doesn’t want to fight Cruz again, and it’s understandable why. He’s going to ruin his career and he can’t afford that to happen to a professional player.

It’s very different when you lose in a professional game because unless someone like Turki Alsheikh is interested in you and willing to let you lose, it’s permanent and difficult return. Lost day and night And keep getting payday opportunities.

“Yes, it’s mandatory (by the WBC),” Andy Cruz said in an interview with YSM Sports Media when asked if his fight with Omar Salcido was a WBC light show on January 25. Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber to determine the next mandatory challenger for champion Shakur Stevenson.

“At that point, I’m going to do it differently,” Cruz said of the fight with Shakur. “This is a division with a lot of talent. There are a lot of talented fighters. I’m just focused on myself.

💎 @AndyDiamondCruz Get ready to shine again… @DAZN boxing #cruzsalcido |January 25th | #pacheconelson pic.twitter.com/aD0UcmWhmq

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 17, 2025