Andy Cruz leaves Matchroom and targets boxing’s 130-pound division

Andy Cruz has completed his Matchroom contract and entered promotional free agency while preparing to move from lightweight to the 130-pound division. His team believes junior lightweight is the right destination for the next stage of his career, even though he weighed 149.2 pounds after his recent win over Abraham Montoya.

The post-weigh-in figure has raised questions about whether Cruz can safely lose another five pounds for the division. Cruz and his trainer have assessed the options and concluded that 130 pounds offers the best route for his career. His priority is to secure significant fights rather than spend another long period building toward them.

The Montoya bout brought Cruz’s agreement with Matchroom to an end. Eddie Hearn’s promotion handled the early part of his professional career and placed him against Raymond Muratalla for only the eighth fight of his career. Cruz has now left the decision on his next move to his team, which will seek a promoter able to provide high-level opportunities at junior lightweight.

Possible opponents discussed for a future run at 130 pounds include O’Shaquie Foster, Emanuel Navarrete, Ray Ford and Anthony Cacace. Cruz has not selected one of those fighters publicly, leaving his management to judge which promotional offer provides the strongest route to major bouts.

A full move to junior lightweight would also take Cruz out of a competitive lightweight group featuring Muratalla, Abdullah Mason, William Zepeda and Floyd Schofield. His return to No. 3 in the IBF lightweight rankings would then have limited relevance if he no longer campaigns in that division.

Cruz remains convinced that he deserved the official decision in his fight with Muratalla, although he has identified changes he would make if given the chance to repeat the contest. He believes greater aggression and more risk-taking could have improved his chances. With Matchroom no longer representing him, the next stage will depend on whether his team can find a promoter who can deliver the major 130-pound fights he wants.