Burgos, a 35-year-old fringe contender from Mexico, glared without expression at Cruz, a 27-year-old Cuban who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Cruz, who left Cuba last year, cracked a faint smile and gave Burgos a slight nod.
For a seasoned pro like Burgos, staring down and sizing up an opponent at a pre-fight news conference is a familiar ritual.
But the routine is brand-new to Cruz, the athlete widely regarded as the best boxer in a generation to emerge from Cuba’s storied amateur program.
Cruz is a three-time world amateur champion, and the records database BoxRec credits him with 140 amateur wins (and nine losses).
Persons:
Andy Cruz, Juan Carlos Burgos, Cruz, Burgos
Organizations:
Cuban, Tokyo
Locations:
Detroit, Burgos, Mexico, Cruz, Cuba