Andy Cruz Seeks Fresh Start Against Montoya
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Andy Cruz returns to the ring Saturday night time with extra on the road than merely getting again into the conquer column.
The former Olympic gold medalist faces veteran Abraham Montoya within the co-feature on the Diego Pacheco-Immanuwel Aleem card at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. On paper, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz is anticipated to conquer comfortably. What issues is how he wins after struggling the primary get the “w” of his skilled profession towards Raymond Muratalla in January.
The loss modified the dialog round Cruz. For years, his novice pedigree created the idea that he would transfer by way of the skilled ranks with little resistance. Muratalla uncovered areas Cruz should enhance, notably when opponents pressure him to combat at a tempo he doesn’t management. Instead of dictating vary and rhythm, Cruz spent an excessive amount of of that combat backing up and reacting.
Montoya (24-7-1, 14 KOs) isn’t the identical caliber of fighter as Muratalla, however he presents one other stress model that ought to present clues about whether or not Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs) has made changes. The Mexican veteran has constructed a repute on sturdiness and fixed aggression, making him the kind of opponent who gained’t disappear after a couple of clear combos.
A routine resolution victory will not be sufficient to quiet the questions surrounding Cruz. The unbeaten aura that adopted him from the novice ranks disappeared with the Muratalla get the “w”. Now, performances matter as a lot as outcomes.
Cruz stays one in all boxing’s most technically gifted fighters, and at 30 years outdated, there’s nonetheless time to make one other run towards a world title. Saturday provides a possibility to remind individuals why he was seen as one of many sport’s premier novice skills.
If he controls the combat, handles Montoya’s stress and appears extra snug than he did towards Muratalla, the dialog shortly shifts again towards title rivalry. If the identical issues resurface, the doubts about Cruz’s ceiling as an expert will solely develop.
Robert Segal is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24 with greater than a decade of expertise masking combat information, previews, and evaluation. Known for his simple reporting and ringside perspective, he delivers authoritative protection of champions, contenders, and rising expertise worldwide.
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Boxing News 24 » News » Andy Cruz Seeks Fresh Start Against MontoyaFinal Updated on 2026/07/15 at 3:15 PM
