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Andy Cruz Faces Hironori Mishiro In IBF Lightweight Final Eliminator
Andy Cruz Faces Hironori Mishiro In IBF Lightweight Final Eliminator originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
By Peter Raburu
Andy Cruz (5-0, 2 KOs) will face Hironori Mishiro (17-1-16 KOs) in a final IBF Lightweight eliminator this Saturday, June 14th, at 7:00 pm.
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This match will determine Raymond Muratalla's next opponent, who is currently a 135-pound champion. Cruz previously defeated Omar Sacido Gamezz in his prior fight.
The fight results are believed to suit the champion, Andy Cruz, forcing Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) to prepare even harder before potentially fighting Cruz. This comes after Murattalla defeated Zaur Abdullaev for the IBF interim title on May 10th.
Raymond's battles are fairly predictable, and he has been criticized for being one-dimensional, only fighting in one gear, and lacking a killer instinct.
Cruz has proven to be a nightmare for opponents in the 135-pound category. This comes after top Rank fighter Keyshawn Davis made it obvious that he did not want to fight Cruz after being battered with whips four times in their amateur battles. Keyshawn made various dubious justifications, and now he's set to face the nightmare again. Will he make excuses again or face the nightmare?
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Mishiro, on the other hand, remains in fifth place in the IBF rankings, and this fight is an opportunity for the former Japanese Lightweight Champion to make his American debut in the biggest fight of his career. He is confident and optimistic about landing the title shot for himself.
'I've put in the hard work and dedication, and I can't wait to step into the ring again,' said Cruz. 'This fight isn't just about winning; it's about showing my people the passion I have for the sport. I'm ready to prove that I'm a contender and bring that W home!' said Mishiro in a YouTube interview.
'I want to thank Matchroom for allowing me to fight in the US,' said Mishiro. 'I'm excited and motivated for such a great opportunity. I have fought as the underdog many times, and I look forward to making another big upset on June 14,' said Mishiro in a YouTube interview.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
