Andy Cruz Stops Hironori Mishiro in IBF Lightweight
Andy Cruz stopped Hironori Mishiro in the fifth round of an IBF lightweight title eliminator at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on June 14, 2025. The referee halted the scheduled twelve-round bout at 1:13 of Round 5. The win kept Cruz unbeaten as a professional and moved him closer to a world title opportunity.
Fight recap
The matchup
The fight was featured on the undercard of Richardson Hitchins versus George Kambosos Jr. Cruz, an Olympic gold medalist, used his technical boxing and speed to build momentum against Mishiro. The Japanese contender remained in the contest through the first several rounds, but Cruz increased his pressure and produced the stoppage in the fifth.
What the result means
The bout was billed as an IBF final eliminator, which meant the result carried an important ranking consequence. Winning positioned Cruz for a mandatory title challenge, subject to the sanctioning body’s process and any subsequent scheduling decisions. It did not mean the championship bout had already been signed or scheduled.
The event context
Cruz’s professional career had moved quickly since his transition from amateur boxing. A fifth-round stoppage against a seasoned opponent strengthened his résumé and gave him an opportunity to pursue a belt at lightweight. Mishiro, despite the defeat, had tested himself against a highly regarded boxer on an international card.
What comes next
Official record
The verified result is Cruz by technical knockout at 1:13 of Round 5. Matchroom lists the bout as a final eliminator for the IBF lightweight title, and BoxingScene’s post-fight report provides additional detail on the finish. Those sources support the central facts without overpromising what will happen next.
Sources
- Matchroom event page
- BoxingScene fight report
- FightMag event results
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports
