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 towards George Kambosos Jr.
Cruz (5-0 2 KOs) is the 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 an enormous step in the direction of a World title tilt with victory in his first struggle 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 struggle thus far in his eight-year profession, seeking to upset Philadelphia-based Cruz and land the title shot for himself.
“I’ve put within the onerous work and dedication, and I can’t wait to step into the ring once more,” stated Cruz. “This struggle isn’t nearly profitable; it’s about displaying my individuals the fervour I’ve for the game. I’m able to show that I’m a contender and convey that W residence!”
“I wish to thank Matchroom for giving me the chance to struggle within the US,” stated Mishiro. “I’m actually excited and motivated for such an important alternative. I’ve fought because the underdog many occasions and I stay up for making one other massive upset on June 14.”
A number of stars be a part of Cruz and Mishiro on the undercard in essential fights, led by Canadian Heavyweight Alexis Barriere taking up 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 residence soil in Quebec in February, and the 29 yr previous shall be seeking to make an impression on the WBC rankings by claiming the title towards Cleveland’s Hines (14-0-1 8 KOs) who fights for his first professional belt.
“I’m very grateful to my workforce 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 struggle at MSG in New York on such a giant stage. I’m working very onerous in Florida in camp with my coach Sugar Hill. Will probably be a battle of two unbeaten fighters so I’m anticipating a troublesome struggle, however I do know that’s once I shall be at my greatest. 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 Large Apple debut, and shall be seeking to make one other assertion towards Montrel (19-3 13 KOs) the New Orleans man entering into the largest evening of his profession, and in addition preventing for his first belts – with Mercado sending a menacing message to point out 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 at all times do. Oh, and New York, I’m coming on your bum champion you guys obtained.”
Zaquin Moses (3-0 2 KOs) opens the present on DAZN together with his fourth struggle within the paid ranks once more over 4 rounds at Tremendous-Featherweight towards Carl Rogers (3-2), widespread New Yorker ‘Fairly Boy’ Pablo Valdez (9-0 8 KOs) strikes into double figures over eight rounds at Welterweight towards Cesar Diaz (9-1 4 KOs), Indian Olympian star Nishant Dev (1-0 1 KO) confirmed his large 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 an enormous evening in New York,” stated promoter Eddie Hearn. “The primary occasion is a cracker, with Richardson getting a giant stage for his first protection towards a person in George that has very fond reminiscences of this well-known enviornment.
“The supporting solid is good too. Andy is likely one of the very prime Lightweights on the planet, and that is going to be an enormous probability for him to point out 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 impression on the world rankings, as is the at all times 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 one among our latest signings Adam Maca will get an unimaginable expertise to make his debut in New York, and the ever-popular Pablo appears for one more KO.”
