Tristan Kalkreuth Wants All The Big Names At Cruiserweight

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Cruiserweight Tristan Kalkreuth wants to read the boogeymen of his division a bedtime story starting with the winner of Friday night’s co-feature between Robin Safar and Yamil Alberto. Kalkreuth will face Marco Canedo on Friday at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

Kalkreuth, 16-1 (11 KOs), is on an eight-fight win streak since a shocking 2021 loss to Demetrius Banks, when Kalkreuth was unable to continue due to an injury. Since the loss, the 24-year-old Texan training in Las Vegas has fought mostly on undercards. He hopes to change that soon.

“I want to fight [the bigger name] guys,” Kalkreuth said. “I want Rob or his opponent, whoever that is, Jai Opetaia, David Benavidez…these guys are the boogeymen, and I am reading them a bedtime story.”

Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images

Kalkreuth last fought in August, stopping Devonte Williams in two rounds. Kalkreuth, who is signed by Golden Boy Promotions, is aiming to get back to the hype he once saw when he first came out as a high-profile, 6’ 5” cruiserweight; people were excited about his potential. No longer an up-and-comer, Kalkreuth has his flag planted as a veteran, shaped by his journey.

“Turning pro at 17, which is very young; I made a lot of mistakes,” Kalkreuth said. “Right now, I feel like I am in my prime; that I am a really complete fighter. It has been a long time coming, but I am at the crossroads.”

Canedo, 8-3-1 (5 KOs), is unbeaten in his last five fights, going 4-0-1, with all his wins coming by way of knockout. Before that, he was knocked out in consecutive heavyweight bouts to Alexis Barriere and Richard Torrez Jr. After his loss to Torrez, the 34-year-old from Michoacan, Mexico, moved to cruiserweight, where he has had more success, but also faced softer opposition.

Kalkreuth is unapologetic about his approach; he wants to face the co-main event fighter later this year. As Safar is signed with Golden Boy, and if Peralta were to win, one might suspect the promotion could have options on his next fight.

“I want the winner of the co-main event. I think that is a fight that could be made in the near future,” Kalkreuth said. “If not, I want all the guys.”