Cruz, a Cuban boxer who had won the lightweight gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, popped him with two more long lefts. Cruz is one of the most accomplished fighters ever to emerge from Cuba’s celebrated boxing program. Along with his Olympic gold, he has three amateur world titles and has twice won at the Pan American Games. Cruz’s manager, Yolfri Sánchez, watched the sparring session from ringside. Sánchez hired Ennis to replace Cruz’s amateur habits with pro techniques: hitting with authority, staying in range, catching and countering punches.

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Persons: Andy Cruz, Rostyslav, Cruz, Juan Carlos Burgos, Yolfri Sánchez, Derek Ennis —, Bozy —, Sánchez, Ennis Organizations: Tokyo, Cuba’s, Pan American Locations: Cruz, Cuban, Northeast Philadelphia, Detroit