Anthony Crolla has identified a “very special talent” who he thinks will go on to be one of the superstars of world boxing in the coming years.
Crolla himself made it to the very top. He won the WBA Lightweight world title from Darleys Perez in 2015, and defended it against the same man as well as Ismael Barroso before losing back-to-back fights with the stylist Jorge Linares, eventually retiring in 2019 after further losses to the likes of Vasily Lomachenko.
He has worked as both a pundit and a coach since stepping outside the ring and has been talking to The Sportsman about who he is tipping for future honours.
“I think Keyshawn Davies and a man who has just made his professional debut a very special talent in Andy Cruz, obviously has beat Keyshawn a few times, but I think with Keyshawn Davis he is one of the best upcoming Americans who you believe will be one of the future stars, future world champion for sure.
Listen, we expect him to come through and look good doing it but it’s always going to be interesting. Do we see Keyshawn Davis and Andy Cruz meet again in the pros?”
Fight fans will undoubtedly be hoping so as both lightweights are very real talents with exceptional amateur pedigree.
American Olympic silver medalist and southpaw Davis is currently 9-0 after finishing 77-12 as an amateur, and has recently been talking up a fight with George Kambosos Jr.
Cruz has left his partner and one-year-old son behind in Cuba to pursue his dream of becoming a world champion by training in the US.
He is the reigning Olympic champion after competing in the 2020 Summer Olympics and winning three gold medals in the AIBA World Championships. He made his successful pro debut on July 15 against former two-time world championship challenger, Juan Carlos Burgos.
All eyes are on both men as they build professional experience no doubt with a view to meeting down the line.