Andy Cruz lands title eliminator in sixth pro bout

Andy Cruz will face Hironori Mishiro in an eliminator for the IBF World Light-weight title at The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York on Saturday June 14, stay worldwide on DAZN, main the undercard for Richardson Hitchins’ first protection of his IBF World Junior Welterweight title in opposition to George Kambosos Jr.

Cruz (5-0 2 KOs) is the very best rated contender with the IBF at 135lbs, sitting at #3 within the rankings with #1 and #2 vacant, and the Cuban Olympic gold medal man can take a large step in the direction of a World title tilt with victory in his first combat in New York Metropolis.

Mishiro (17-1-1 6 KOs) sits at #5 with the IBF, and the previous Japanese Light-weight champion makes his American debut within the largest combat thus far in his eight-year profession, trying to upset Philadelphia-based Cruz and land the title shot for himself.

“I’ve put within the laborious work and dedication, and I can’t wait to step into the ring once more,” stated Cruz. “This combat isn’t nearly profitable; it’s about displaying my individuals the eagerness I’ve for the game. I’m able to show that I’m a contender and produce that W house!”

“I wish to thank Matchroom for giving me the chance to combat within the US,” stated Mishiro. “I’m actually excited and motivated for such an excellent alternative. I’ve fought because the underdog many occasions and I look ahead to making one other huge upset on June 14.”

A bunch of stars be part of Cruz and Mishiro on the undercard in vital fights, led by Canadian Heavyweight Alexis Barriere taking over Roney Hines for the WBC Continental Americas title. Barriere (12-0 10 KOs) penned a co-promotional cope with Matchroom and Groupe Yvon Michel after claiming the twelfth win of his profession on house soil in Quebec in February, and the 29 12 months previous can be trying to make an affect on the WBC rankings by claiming the title in opposition to Cleveland’s Hines (14-0-1 8 KOs) who fights for his first professional belt.

“I’m very grateful to my staff for this chance, to DAZN, Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith at Matchroom, Yvon Michel at GYM and Brian Peters,” stated Barriere. “I’m excited to combat at MSG in New York on such an enormous stage. I’m working very laborious in Florida in camp with my coach Sugar Hill. Will probably be a battle of two unbeaten fighters so I’m anticipating a tricky combat, however I do know that’s after I can be at my finest. The larger the problem, the higher I’ll carry out.”

Ernesto Mercado is making loads of noise within the 140lb division, and Tito will face Jonathan Montrel for the IBF North American and WBC Continental Americas titles. Mercado (17-0 16 KOs) dispatched of former World champion Jose Pedraza in spiteful trend inside 4 rounds of their conflict in Las Vegas in January, and the gifted Californian fights for his first belts in his Massive Apple debut, and can be trying to make one other assertion in opposition to Montrel (19-3 13 KOs) the New Orleans man getting into the most important evening of his profession, and likewise combating for his first belts – with Mercado sending a menacing message to indicate headliner Hitchins.

“I’m glad to be making my debut in New York at MSG,” stated Mercado. “It’s time to present New York some actual leisure and I’ll be delivering by placing somebody on their again like I all the time do. Oh, and New York, I’m coming on your bum champion you guys bought.”

Zaquin Moses (3-0 2 KOs) opens the present on DAZN together with his fourth combat within the paid ranks once more over 4 rounds at Tremendous-Featherweight in opposition to Carl Rogers (3-2), well-liked New Yorker ‘Fairly Boy’ Pablo Valdez (9-0 8 KOs) strikes into double figures over eight rounds at Welterweight in opposition to Cesar Diaz (9-1 4 KOs), Indian Olympian star Nishant Dev (1-0 1 KO) confirmed his enormous potential within the paid ranks with a primary spherical KO win on debut in Las Vegas in January and takes on Josue Silva (3-2 1 KO) over six rounds at Tremendous-Welterweight and the Earlier than the Bell motion is kicked off by the skilled debut of British teenage expertise Adam Maca, who makes his bow over 4 rounds at Bantamweight.

“That is going to be a large evening in New York,” stated promoter Eddie Hearn. “The principle occasion is a cracker, with Richardson getting an enormous stage for his first protection in opposition to a person in George that has very fond recollections of this well-known enviornment.

“The supporting forged is sensible too. Andy is without doubt one of the very high Lightweights on the earth, and that is going to be a large probability for him to indicate the 135lb champions that he’s able to take their titles away.

“Alexis impressed in Quebec in February and he’s able to make an affect on the world rankings, as is the all the time entertaining and outspoken Tito, who needs all of the smoke at 140lbs.

“There’s some nice younger expertise on the cardboard with Zaquin Moses and Nishant Dev each again in motion whereas certainly one of our latest signings Adam Maca will get an unimaginable expertise to make his debut in New York, and the ever-popular Pablo seems for one more KO.”