THE rivalry between Andy Cruz, 4-0 (2 KOs), and Keyshawn Davis, 12-0 (8 KOs), is one of the fiercest in the sport, despite have not met as professionals. Yet, despite the inevitability that their grudge match will take place down the line and that their feud will further intensify, the Cuban amateur sensation has revealed that he is rooting for Davis in his upcoming world title bid.
Cruz trumped his American counterpart on each of the four occasions that they met in the amateur ranks, defeating Davis in the final of the 2019 Pan American Games, 2019 World Championship and Tokyo 2020 Olympics to repeatedly deny Davis a gold medal.
In 2021, Davis made the switch to the professional scene, and he has since risen into lightweight title contention, accumulating 12 victories whilst maintaining an undefeated record and defeating the likes of Anthony Yigit, José Pedraza and Gustavo Lemos along the way.
This success has earnt ‘The Businessman’ his recently announced shot at Denys Berinchyk,19-0 (9 KOs), and the WBO lightweight crown, with the intriguing battle between the two undefeated 135lbers poised to take place next month.
However, as Davis is accustomed to, Andy Cruz is hot on his tail and has needed just four professional bouts to thrust himself into title contention himself, whilst continuously calling for another clash with his old foe.
Now ranked with all four sanctioning bodies (WBC #6, WBO 15, WBA #4 & IBF #5), it appears to be only a matter of time until the three-time amateur world champion is presented with the opportunity to replicate his success as a professional and claim world honours.
Speaking with YSM Sports Media, Cruz made clear his intentions of hunting down Davis once again and explained why he is hoping that the man he calls ‘his son’ comes out on top when he collides with Berinchyk.
“I think that my son has progressed a lot, he is going to do well. I hope that he does get a strap, because I want to take it from him.”
“Yes, I am going to watch [it]. How are you not going to watch your son fight?”
Davis-Berinchyk will take place on Friday, February 14, topping an impressive card that features the return of Jared Anderson, 17-1 (15 KOs), as well as well-matched contests involving hot prospects Xander Zayas, 20-0 (12 KOs), and Abdullah Mason, 16-0 (14 KOs).
Meanwhile, Cruz will return to fight professionally for a fifth time when he meets Omar Salcido Gamez, 20-1 (14 KOs), on the Pacheco-Nelson undercard on Saturday, January 25.
