Eddie Hearn says Andy Cruz will be world champion “in the next two fights” after he defeats Hironori Mishiro tonight in an IBF lightweight title eliminator, and then champion Raymond Muratalla.

Top Rank won’t be happy to hear Hearn’s prediction of Cruz dethroning their fighter Muratalla, as he was just recently elevated to full champion status. They’re hoping that Muratalla will have a long reign as IBF champion, but they didn’t realize that the 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz would be his mandatory so soon.

Cruz’s Title Eliminator Tonight

Cruz (5-0, 2 KOs) is fighting Mishiro (17-1-1, 6 KOs) in the 12-round chief support bout on the Richardson Hitchins vs. George Kambosos Jr. card at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Tonight’s event will be broadcast live on DAZN, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET. Cruz will be trying to steal the show from Hitchins, who is a pure boxer and not likely to step on the gas against Kambosos in the main event.

“Andy has got a final eliminator this weekend, and then he’ll be mandatory for Muratalla for the IBF lightweight title. So, Andy will be world champion in the next two fights,” said Eddie Hearn to Fight Hub TV about Andy Cruz. “Maybe, he’s very comfortable at 135 for the moment.”

“Andy Cruz has just got to win that fight to get his shot at the IBF lightweight.”

Mishiro hasn’t fought any notable opposition during his career, and he’s going to be taking a big step up in class from the fighters he’s been facing in Japan. The IBF has given him a #5 ranking, which doesn’t make much sense when looking at his weak resume.

Cruz and Hearn had hoped to get a shot at fighting Keyshawn Davis for his WBO lightweight title, but he missed weight last Friday and was subsequently stripped of the belt. He’s now revealed he’ll be fighting at 140.