Andy Cruz Drops to 130 After Abraham Montoya Stoppage

The Olympic gold medalist targets super featherweight after size disadvantages disrupted his lightweight run

Andy Cruz confirmed he will campaign at super featherweight after stopping Abraham Montoya in three rounds on Saturday. The move ends his lightweight run and gives Matchroom a clearer route to rebuild him after the Raymond Muratalla defeat.

“I was really waiting until after this fight. Now I can tell everyone at 130 pounds that I’m coming for them. They should get ready,” Cruz said via Manny Boxing Channel.

The decision had been anticipated for months. Before the Montoya bout, several boxing insiders reported that it would likely be Cruz’s final appearance at 135 pounds after he struggled against naturally bigger lightweights during his split-decision loss to Raymond Muratalla in January.

Although no full post-fight interview or direct quote from Cruz has surfaced publicly, reporters at ringside consistently described him as confirming the move during his in-ring comments and in the immediate aftermath of the fight.

The change gives Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn more options for the 2020 Olympic gold medalist. The 130-pound division features established names and contenders who may be a better physical fit for Cruz, whose speed, footwork, and technical ability were often offset by the size of the larger lightweights he faced.

Cruz (7-1, 4 KOs) had little difficulty in what became his farewell appearance at lightweight. He dropped late replacement Montoya in the second round, continued landing clean combinations in the third, and forced the referee to stop the scheduled 10-round contest after the Mexican veteran absorbed sustained punishment.

A move to super featherweight also gives Cruz an opportunity to rebuild after the first defeat of his professional career. His amateur pedigree still makes him one of Matchroom’s most accomplished prospects, and a successful run at 130 pounds could quickly place him in position for another title opportunity.