Early career

Andy Cruz turned professional at the age of 27, signing a deal with Matchroom Boxing.^[4][5] Cruz expressed that in his career as a professional, he will fight no easy opponents and aims to face people who will give him a challenge.^[6][7] On July 15, 2023, Cruz made his professional boxing debut against former two-time world championship challenger Juan Carlos Burgos (35–7–3) in a 10-round bout at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan.^[8] Cruz won his first minor title in his debut fight by unanimous decision,^[9][10] with the judges scoring the bout 100–90, 100–90, and 98–92.^[11][12][13]

Cruz was announced to be defending his IBF International lightweight title against Hector Tanajara Jr. (21–1–1) on December 9, 2023, in a 10-round bout as an undercard fight for Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis.^[14][15] Shortly after the bout was scheduled, Tanajara Jr. withdrew due to an injury.^[16] Later, it was announced that former IBO world lightweight champion Jovanni Straffon (26–5–1) would fight as a replacement if his visa was approved.^[17] After Straffon acquired his visa, the fight was confirmed to continue at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.^[18][19] Cruz retained his IBF International lightweight title and won the vacant WBA Continental Latin-American lightweight title by knockout after the referee stopped the contest in round three, giving Cruz his first stoppage victory as a professional.^[20][21] According to CompuBox, Cruz outclassed Straffon by landing 88 out of his 146 total punches thrown (60.3%), compared to Straffon's 13 out of 76 punches thrown (17.1%).^[22]

In December 2023, Cruz filed a lawsuit against New Champions Promotions for breach of contract and violation of the Ali Act; however, his main promoter, Matchroom Boxing, was mentioned but was not accused of any wrongdoing.^[23] Amidst his lawsuit, Cruz was announced to be fighting Brayan Zamarripa (14–2) for his third professional fight less than twenty-four hours later.^[24] The ten-round contest took place as an undercard bout for the main event between Edgar Berlanga and Padraig McCrory on February 24, 2024, at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.^[25] Cruz defended his titles against Zamarripa by unanimous decision, as the judges all scored the fight 100–90 in favour of Cruz.^[26][27] Cruz's promoter, Eddie Hearn, stated during an interview that he is prepared to make a massive offer for Keyshawn Davis as the next opponent for Cruz, or potentially Angel Fierro, if an agreement cannot be reached.^[28]

It was announced that Cruz was to be defending his IBF International lightweight title against Antonio Moran (30–6–1) on the undercard for the title fight between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California.^[29][30]