BY JAKE DONOVAN
July 15, 2023 Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
The pro journey has begun for one of the most accomplished amateur boxers in recent memory.
Andy Cruz enjoyed a successful pro debut with a ten-round, unanimous decision win over former title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos. Judges Gerard White (100-90), Dave Dejonge (100-90) and Rose Gross (98-92) scored for Cruz in their DAZN-aired co-feature Saturday evening from Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan.
Cruz stayed true to his promise to offer a more fan-friendly approach than the style that saw him excel at the highest level as an amateur. The former style was enough to win three World Amateur championships and a Gold medal for Cuba during the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics before making his way to Miami, Florida. Burgos was forced to fend off an aggressive body attack from Cruz, who quickly flashed the teachings of head trainer Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis—the father and guiding force behind the brilliantly talented interim IBF welterweight titlist Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.
Cruz went to the jab in round two. The stick set up right hands upstairs and to the body. Burgos attempted to unleash his left hook but struggled to keep up with the Cuban’s blazing hand speed.
Burgos used subtle movement to remain just out of Cruz’s punching range in round three. Cruz switched between orthodox and southpaw and connected with straight shots from both sides. Cruz ended the round with an overhand right hand behind the ear.
The difference in hand speed clearly frustrated Burgos. Cruz also displayed an incredibly high ring IQ as he reduced a 45-fight veteran and former two-time title challenger to a confused plodder. A steady stream of jabs paved the way for right hands from all angles for Cruz, who barely lost a second in the first half of his pro debut.
Burgos let his punches rip for the first time in the fight in round six. Few landed, however, and Cruz used the opportunity to counter Burgos with right hands. The first piece of adversity was dealt to Cruz late in the round when a left hook by Burgos landed well south of the border. Instructions from Ennis were for Cruz to target the body, and push to become the first to stop Burgos. Cruz listened to a degree as he flurried along the ropes to Burgos’ midsection in round seven. Burgos showed why all of his career blemishes were in distance fights, though Cruz responded with increased pressure in round eight. A right hand by the Cuban snapped back the head of Burgos along the ropes.
Cruz continued to throw with conviction until the very end. Burgos managed to have the final say, though not with a scoring blow as a left hook landed well below the border just before the final bell.
Burgos fell to 35-8-3 (21KOs) with his second straight defeat. He entered the fight on the heels of an eight-round shutout defeat last December to Keyshawn Davis (8-0, 6KOs), the Olympic Silver medalist whom Cruz defeated in the final round of the Tokyo Olympics lightweight division.
Cruz is now (1-0, 0KOs) and will aim to proceed at a very fast career track. The aim is to land a major title shot in 2024; Saturday at least offered a promising start, even if versus a shopworn fighter.
Headlining the show, undisputed junior lightweight champion Alycia Baumgardner (14-1, 7KOs) meets former two-time WBO 140-pound titlist Christina Linardatou. Their bout is a rematch to their July 2018 meeting, won by Linardatou via split decision. Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
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