Olympic gold medallist and three-time world amateur champion Andy Cruz has traded the boxing rings of Cuba for the gritty training ground of Philadelphia, hoping to achieve his ultimate dream â becoming a world professional champion. After defecting from Cuba in a daring escape, the 28-year-old lightweight boxer has found a new home in the heart of the city, training under renowned coach Bozy Ennis, who runs his gym, nicknamed "Bozy's Dungeon", in Northeast Philadelphia.
Ennis, known for his no-nonsense approach, initially doubted Cruz's credentials despite his impressive amateur record. "I said, 'That doesn't mean anything to me,'" Ennis recalled, "I said, 'Send him down here, and I'll take a look at him.'" However, after witnessing Cruz's dedication and skill, Ennis agreed to train the Olympic champion, who arrived in the US last year after a perilous journey that saw him arrested and banned from boxing in Cuba for attempting to leave the country illegally.
"I couldn't have chosen a better place to train," said Cruz, speaking through an interpreter. "Philly has taken me in." He travels from his home in Tampa, Florida, to Philadelphia twice a day for two months prior to each fight, drawn to Ennis's training methods and inspired by the success of Ennis's son, Jaron, who recently defended his welterweight title at the Wells Fargo Center.
On Saturday, Cruz (3-0, 1 knockout) faces Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) in Los Angeles on the undercard of Terence Crawford's super welterweight debut. Eddie Hearn, who promotes both Cruz and Jaron Ennis, has ambitious plans for Cruz, aiming for a world title in 2025. A victory on Saturday would mark another step towards achieving this goal, potentially leading to high-profile clashes with boxers like Gervonta Davis and Vasyl Lomachenko.
Hearn has challenged Cruz with seasoned opponents from the outset, pushing him to step into the ring against veteran fighters instead of untested prospects. This approach has paid dividends, with Cruz displaying his vast experience from his years as an amateur. Despite his early success, Ennis believes Cruz needs to add a more aggressive edge to his fights. While his tactical approach helped him achieve legendary status in the amateur ranks, it lacks the thrilling spectacle required to attract the masses in the professional world.
"My job is to make him look good and make him be able to sell to the public," Ennis explained. "If you want to be great and have people come pay to see you, you have to fight. Every time he fights, he looks better and better." Cruz echoes this sentiment, understanding the importance of entertaining the crowd. "My first thought is to win, but itâs also important to give boxing fans a good show," he said.
However, Cruz's journey is not without its personal sacrifices. He is separated from his 2-year-old son, Anthony, who he left behind in Cuba. He relies on video calls to stay connected, but the longing for his son weighs heavily on his mind. âIâve never been able to celebrate a birthday with him,â Cruz said. âEvery time I see him, itâs hard. Iâm doing this for him, and I want him to be proud of me as his dad. But itâs one of the hardest things Iâve ever had to do because every father wants to watch their son grow up.â
While the path to world championship glory is paved with challenges, Cruz remains steadfast in his pursuit, driven by his dream and the unwavering support of his new family in Philadelphia. He is determined to prove his worth, not only as a skilled boxer but also as a role model for his son, who he hopes to bring to the US someday, perhaps even introducing him to the "dungeon" where his father forges his legacy. "I'm able to do what I love, and I'm on my way to fulfilling my lifelong dream in the United States," Cruz concluded. "But to be honest, it's been really difficult. There's times that you feel alone. What keeps me motivated is my dream."
