Cuban Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz is inching closer toward proving his amateur accolades can translate to the professional ranks.

Cruz (5-0, 2 KOs) will take on Hironori Mishiro (17-1-1, 6 KOs) in an IBF lightweight title eliminator June 14 at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York, Matchroom Boxing announced on Friday.

The fight will serve as the co-main event for the card headlined by IBF junior welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins’ first title defense against George Kambosos Jr. on DAZN.

“I’ve put in the hard work and dedication, and I can't wait to step into the ring again,” Cruz said in a statement. “This fight isn’t just about winning; it’s about showing my people the passion I have for the sport. I’m ready to prove that I’m a contender and bring that win home.”

Cruz is ranked No. 3 by the IBF, and Mishiro is No. 5. Cruz is rated No. 6 by The Ring at 135 pounds.

With Nos. 1 and 2 vacant in the IBF’s rankings, the winner will move up the ladder as a mandatory challenger and potentially face either the in-retirement-limbo IBF lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko or recently minted IBF interim titleholder Raymond Muratalla.

Cruz, 29, continues to dispose of the competition that’s put in front of him as he calls for a clash against amateur rival and WBO lightweight champion Keyshawn Davis. In January, Cruz landed a 10-round unanimous decision win against Omar Salcido Gamez.

Mishiro, a 30-year-old from Japan, scored a stoppage win against Hinata Maruta in December, his fifth win in a row since the lone loss of his career via technical decision to Min Ho Jung in April 2023.

Matchroom also announced the rest of the DAZN undercard, which will feature Alexis Barriere (12-0, 10 KOs) vs. Roney Hines (14-0-1, 8 KOs; Ernesto Mercado (17-0, 16 KOs) vs. Jonathan Montrel (19-3, 13 KOs); and Zaquin Moses (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. Carl Rogers (3-2, 0 KOs).

“This is going to be a massive night in New York,” Hearn said in a statement. “The main event is a cracker, with Richardson getting a big stage for his first defense against a man in George that has very fond memories of this famous arena.

“The supporting cast is brilliant too. Andy is one of the very top Lightweights in the world, and this is going to be a massive chance for him to show the 135-pound champions that he’s ready to take their titles away.”