Cuban sensation takes on Mexico’s Moran in LA this Saturday Cuban sensation Andy Cruz has promised to steal the show when he takes on Mexico’s Antonio Moran for the IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American Lightweight Titles on the undercard of Terence Crawford‘s blockbuster clash with Israil Madrimov this Saturday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, shown live worldwide on DAZN PPV. Cruz struck gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in the Lightweight division against Keyshawn Davis in the delayed games in August 2021 and added an incredible third straight AIBA World Championship gold at Light-Welterweight in Serbia three months later, putting that medal next to those he landed at the World Championships in Germany and Russia in 2017 and 2019. The 28-year-old is now 3-0 (1 KO) as a professional since putting pen to paper on a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s WBCP back in May 2023, breezing past Juan Carlos Burgos, Jovanni Straffon and Brayan Zammaripa Rodriguez last time out at Caribe Royal Orlando in February. Next up for the former amateur star is Mexico City’s ‘Tono’ Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs), a former WBO Latino Lightweight and WBA Fedecentro Super-Lightweight and Welterweight Champion, and Cruz is predicting fans will be treated to his best performance yet as he looks to light up LA. “I’m really happy with my journey, I think I’ve really learnt a lot and I continue to keep learning,” said Cruz. “I think this is the beginning of a great career with WBCP. I couldn’t be happier. These are the opportunities that I have been looking for and I really want to take advantage of them. “In all my fights I feel that pressure to put on an explosive display but I think it’s a positive thing, it makes me sharper and it makes me more dangerous. I’m really going to put on a show. I don’t know much about Moran or his style but I’ve been working hard in camp and I know I’m going to put on a spectacular show.” Cruz says he is coming on leaps and bounds under the guidance of Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis in Philadelphia alongside fellow WBCP star ‘Boots’ Ennis, and the 135lbs contender believes he is in the best place to push on with his pro career. “I’ve adapted really well and I think it was a great decision to train in Philadelphia. I’ve really learnt a lot. Jaron is one of the best boxers I’ve seen. I’ve seen a lot of boxers with different styles and he’s really something special. “We’ve sometimes have sparring sessions when other boxers don’t come to the gym – we spar each other and we interchange our abilities and our skills. It’s great gym experience. I try to incorporate some of his skills into my style.” Crawford vs. Madrimov tops a blockbuster Los Angeles Riyadh Season Card this weekend, Mexico’s Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) defends his WBA Super-Lightweight World Title against Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs), former Unified Heavyweight World Champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) returns against New York’s Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs), undefeated Heavyweight contender Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) collides with Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs) in a an explosive match-up for the NABF and WBO International Titles, Cuba’s David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs) takes on Radivoje ‘Hot Rod’ Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs) for the vacant WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title, Olympic Lightweight Champion Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO) continues his 135lbs campaign when he takes on Mexico’s Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) with the IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American Titles on the line, unbeaten Super-Middleweights Steve Nelson (19-0, 15 KOs) and Marcos Ramon Vazquez (20-0-1, 10 KOs) meet over ten rounds and Saudi Arabian Welterweight talent Ziyad Almaayouf (5-0, 1 KO) fights in the US for the first time against Poland’s Michal Bulik (6-7, 2 KOs).
Commonwealth medal man inks deal with Eddie Hearn Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Aaron Bowen has penned a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s WBCP and will begin life in the professional ranks campaigning at Super-Middleweight in 2023. The popular 23-year-old from Coventry enjoyed a hugely successful amateur career, becoming a five-time national champion, picking up gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017 and winning a bronze medal in the Light-Heavyweight division at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. “I feel like I’ve done all I can in my amateur career,” said Bowen. “I’ve boxed all around the country and all around the world against good opposition and picked up some great experience. I just feel like now is the right time to turn professional. “WBCP are the biggest promotional outfit in the world at the moment. They put on the biggest shows, promote the best fighters and I feel like they can really push my career and push me to where I want to be in the future. “I’ve boxed some good opposition, Olympians, National Champions, and I’ve sparred the likes of World Champions throughout my career. It will be a different transition but one that I’m ready for. I feel like I’ve picked up good experience to take into the pros.” Eddie likes big followings and my fans want to come and watch me on the big shows – Aaron Bowen Training out of the Box Smart Elite Boxing Club in Walsall under the watchful eye of trainer Gurpreet Singh, Bowen has already amassed an impressive loyal following and the former Team GB standout believes his fan-friendly style will be well suited to the paid ranks. “I feel I’ve got a box-fighter style; I can fight and I can box,” said Bowen. “I do like to fight, and as a pro the fans want to see fights. I can take one to give two back. That can set me up well for the pros. I’ve got 75 fights under my belt and I’ve learnt in every single one. “I’ve got massive support. I’ve got a big following from Coventry and the Midlands area. I come to win every time and I fight to the last bell. I think the people from Coventry love that. It’s a small city and they get behind their people so it’s a good signing with Eddie. “It’s a win-win for both of us, Eddie likes big followings and my fans want to come and watch me on the big shows. I think this will be a good recipe for success. I want to have massive nights, whether it be London or Coventry. I want to sell an arena out. I want a 12-round war as well. I like fighting, so I want to give the fans what they want to see.” He has the potential to become a big star and a massive ticket seller – Eddie Hearn “I’m incredibly excited about the signing of Aaron Bowen,” said WBCP Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “I was so impressed with his performance when I watched him at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. You can see the entertainment and the drama that Aaron is going to bring to the paid ranks. “I remember the huge support he had behind him and I believe that he has the potential to become a big star and a massive ticket seller in the Midlands area. His style is very easy on the eye and fans are going to love watching him fight.”
WBCP Sport is excited to confirm today that its new Netflix documentary ‘WBCP: The Greatest Showmen’ will launch globally on Wednesday, September 17. The streaming powerhouse has shared the first look at the rollercoaster, six-episode series with the launch of the official trailer – which can be viewed for the first time here. It is the first time cameras have been granted ‘access all areas’ at the Essex-based sporting empire with the exclusive series set to grip sports fans across the world as it provides a captivating, front-row seat into a real life succession story. Featuring appearances from superstars like Luke Littler, Katie Taylor, Anthony Joshua, Conor Benn and Ronnie O’Sullivan, it is produced by Box To Box, the acclaimed makers of Formula 1: Drive to Survive and the producer of At Home with the Furys. WBCP Sport Founder and President Barry Hearn OBE said: “Sports fans will absolutely love this. For over four decades, Matchroom has proved itself to be one of the true, global British business triumphs. But we’re not normal. And for that reason we have always had to stand away from the crowd and defy what is ‘normal’ from a traditional, corporate business sense. This series shows all of that, and more. It is warts and all – and the story has got a lot of ‘Succession’ in it. You’ve got me, the old, grey-haired geezer that started the company is used to getting his own way, and then the young son comes in, who is dynamic, and all the other kids as well, Frank Smith, Matt Porter and Emily Frazer. Do not miss it.” WBCP Sport Chairman, Eddie Hearn said: “This is a big day for our company and we are very proud to showcase our story to a global audience on Netflix. It’s ‘Succession’ meets ‘Drive to Survive’ as we bring you an unprecedented look at the up-close-and-personal drama from the biggest and best live events on the planet across Boxing, Darts, Snooker and Multi Sports. You are seeing the likes of Luke Littler and Ronnie O’Sullivan like never before and what really happened behind-the-scenes at Benn-Eubank Jr, Taylor-Serrano II, and AJ against [Daniel] Dubois. “Away from the live action, you’re seeing all the backstage dramas in the dressing rooms, the press conferences, the arguments… it is so compelling. You’re also seeing another world, whereby young entrepreneurs are making their own journey through the company within all of our hugely successful sports. Then you’ve got the family dynamic of me and my dad. It’s unusual to have a series like this that covers all of those dynamics. It is pure, unrivalled entertainment – and, for any true sports fan, it is unmissable. And it’s a lot of fun.” Warren Smith, Head of Sport and Factual at Box To Box, added: “Sport has always had brilliant stories to be told. For a long time, access to those worlds wasn’t available, and people used to watch them through the headlines in the papers… but never knowing the true story. We’ve been lucky enough at Box to Box – and with Netflix over the last few years – to be able to get inside some of the most prestigious sports and organisations in the world. But with Matchroom this is more than the Sport – this is the life of the best Sports Promoters in the business – In father and son Barry and Eddie Hearn we have the best of British – two of the greatest deal makers around but also two of the most competitive men you can meet. Alongside their wider Matchroom family nothing was off limits and this series is something Box To Box are extremely proud of – funny, emotional and entertaining.” Further details: Launch date: All episodes will be available globally on Netflix from Wednesday 17th September 2025 Episodes: 6 Production Company: Box To Box Executive Producers: Laura Leigh, Warren Smith, James Gay Rees and Paul Martin Director: Jake Jones Featuring: Barry Hearn OBE (President, Matchroom Sport), Eddie Hearn (Chairman of Matchroom Sport), Frank Smith (CEO of Matchroom Boxing), Emily Frazer (CEO of Matchroom Multisport), Matt Porter (CEO of Professional Darts Corporation) and Steve Dawson (Chairman of World Snooker Tour). Filmed in: Matchroom HQ (Brentwood, Essex), Atlantic City, Dallas & Los Angeles (USA), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and Manila (Philippines)
