On June 14 (June 15 Japan time), at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York, USA, during the co-main event of the Matchroom Boxing card, an IBF World Lightweight Title Eliminator took place.
Ranked No. 5 in the division, Hironori Mishiro (Yokohama Hikari Gym) — with a record of 17 wins (6 KOs), 1 loss, and 1 draw — faced off against No. 3-ranked Andy Cruz (Cuba), who came in undefeated with 5 wins (2 KOs).
Mishiro entered the ring with confidence. Having vacated his Japanese title to take the next step forward, he declared, “I want 2025 to be the year I make my mark.” While searching for a path to a world title, the offer to face Cruz in a title eliminator came his way — and he jumped at the opportunity.
Before the opening bell, Mishiro and Chairman Ichitaro Ishii fixed sharp gazes toward the opponent’s corner.
The 29-year-old Cruz won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics by defeating former WBO World Lightweight Champion Keyshawn Davis (USA) — who now holds a record of 13 wins (9 KOs), no losses, and 1 no contest — by a 4-1 decision in the lightweight final.
In his professional debut in July 2023, Cruz fought a 10-rounder against Juan Carlos Burgos (Mexico), who held a record of 36 wins (22 KOs), 8 losses, and 3 draws, and won by decision to capture the IBF International title. Since then, he has continued to win with consistent, disciplined boxing, barely allowing his opponents to land clean shots.
In the opening round, Mishiro took a low, solid stance as he began. Cruz extended quick jabs followed by a sharp right straight — a punch that would ultimately define the outcome for both fighters that night.
Mishiro tried to close the distance behind his own jab as well, but Cruz’s defense stayed tight.
At the end of the first round, Mishiro listened intently to the instructions from Chairman Ishii.
Perhaps feeling confident, Cruz flashed a smile before the start of round two.
A battle of jabs unfolded. Cruz’s jab was fast and had excellent reach.
Cruz was also skilled in close range, slipping left and right hooks and uppercuts through the gaps in Mishiro’s guard.
In round three, Cruz landed a right straight that rocked Mishiro. Without a moment’s hesitation, Cruz followed up with a sharp one-two combination, sending Mishiro to the canvas.
As Mishiro got back to his feet and the fight resumed, Cruz immediately launched a follow-up attack.
Cruz’s right straight landed with perfect timing, catching Mishiro clean.
A left uppercut followed by a right straight — Cruz varied the angles of his punches and unleashed a rapid combination.
Mishiro endured Cruz’s relentless assault, bravely fighting to find an opening for a counterattack.
Just before the end of round three, Cruz’s right straight landed flush on Mishiro.
Mishiro was knocked down for the second time in this round.
After rising to his feet and hearing the bell to end the round, Mishiro came out in the fourth round throwing left and right hooks as he pressed forward, closing the distance on Cruz.
Cruz shut down Mishiro’s counterattack and delivered a pinpoint right straight. The punch inflicted significant damage on Mishiro.
At the start of round five, a doctor’s check was conducted on Mishiro. Determined to find a breakthrough, he pressed forward, but Cruz pushed him back with a variety of combinations and landed another right straight.
Cruz’s right straight repeatedly found its mark on Mishiro.
The follow-up flurry after the right straight came fast, leaving Mishiro on the defensive.
Mishiro managed to hang on, but with no way to mount a counterattack, his movement came to a halt.
Seeing enough, referee Eric Dali (USA) stepped in and stopped the fight — the TKO came at 1 minute and 13 seconds of round five. The Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Cruz was fast and powerful.
All three judges had Cruz winning every round through the fourth.
Cruz secured a dominant victory and earned the right to challenge for the world title. Following the retirement and vacating of the IBF World Lightweight Title by Vasiliy Lomachenko (Ukraine) — who held a record of 18 wins (12 KOs) and 3 losses — an interim title bout was held on May 10 (May 11 Japan time) in San Diego, California. In that bout, Raymond Muratalla (USA), who was undefeated with 23 wins (17 KOs), claimed the interim title with a wide decision win over Zaur Abdullaev (Russia), who had a record of 20 wins (12 KOs) and 2 losses. Muratalla has since been elevated to full world champion.
A well-rounded and skilled Top Rank fighter, Muratalla is expected to make a great matchup against Cruz. Going forward, the focus will shift to negotiations between Top Rank and Matchroom Boxing.
Andy Cruz, who won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics by defeating former WBO World Lightweight Champion Keyshawn Davis (USA) in the lightweight final, clearly has exceptional talent. I’m amazed there’s still a fighter this strong out there!
Related Article：Hironori Mishiro vs. Andy Cruz “Result” – IBF World Lightweight Title Eliminator
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