Isaac Cruz catapulted his profession from a middle-of-the-pack contender right into a heralded commodity in 2021 when he got here in as a late alternative opponent and gave knockout artist Gervonta Davis all he may deal with in an in depth choice loss.
“Pitbull” proved {that a} fighter can evolve right into a star even in defeat, and the efficiency led to 4 straight appearances as a co-featured attraction on pay-per-view playing cards, the newest one in March being an eighth-round stoppage in opposition to Rolando Romero to seize his first world title.
Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) can be showcased once more on a mega card when he defends his WBA junior welterweight title for the primary time in opposition to Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs) on Aug. 3 because the co-main occasion to Riyadh Season’s debut occasion in the US.
The present will happen on the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on DAZN, ESPN, and PPV.com. Will probably be headlined by the junior middleweight matchup between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov, together with a efficiency by rap star Eminem.
Identical to Eminem is thought for successful checklist of cult classics, the 26-year-old Mexican fan favourite Cruz is rapidly turning into identified for his cult following.
“I am actually glad about how followers come to see me,” Cruz advised BoxingScene. “My exhausting work and dedication have led me to the place I’m now, the place the fandom in Los Angeles can really feel that I’m the individuals’s predominant occasion. I’ll proceed to work exhausting, ensure that I preserve incomes that and provides the followers what they need on combat evening.
“I give every part I’ve every single day in coaching camp so I can carry out at my peak each time I’m in entrance of the followers. I go away my coronary heart within the ring each time, and boxing followers see and really feel it. That is why they love me … Whether or not it’s one spherical or 12 rounds, I’ll come ready and ensure the combat is a spectacle.”
The 5-foot, 4-inch power-punching Cruz has been billed because the ”Mexican Mike Tyson” and pegged because the subsequent nice Mexican pay-per-view draw after Canelo Alvarez. Cruz stated he’s able to parlay “Pitbullmania” and begin headlining his personal PPV reveals shifting ahead.
“I really feel that I’ve the precise instruments and capabilities, bodily and mentally, to tackle that accountability if that is what’s coming subsequent for me,” stated Cruz. “I feel I am prepared for any problem that is available in entrance of me. I don’t concern anybody.
“I belief my administration group to resolve what’s subsequent for me.”
Cruz is signed to Manny Pacquiao’s promotional firm. Lifelong boxing govt Sean Gibbons serves as Cruz’s supervisor, and Premier Boxing Champions head Al Haymon advises Cruz and has showcased him on PBC reveals ever for the reason that fighter made his United States debut in 2019.
Cruz’s wins in opposition to Thomas Mattice, Diego Magdaleno and Francisco Vargas set him up as a reputable challenger to Davis. After going toe-to-toe with Tank, Cruz has since bested Yuriorkis Gamboa, Eduardo Ramirez, Giovanni Cabrera, and Romero.
“I do not know if [Davis is] afraid or to not face me in a rematch, however what I do know, with the precise coaching camp and proper preparation, if I face Gervonta once more, I can provide him an enormous shock,” stated Cruz.
If Cruz beats the 25-year-old up-and-coming southpaw Valenzuela in entrance of what needs to be a big Mexican crowd, roars for a rematch conflict in opposition to Davis will solely get louder.
“Life is all about challenges,” stated Cruz. “If Valenzuela seems like he could be a champion, he has to take challenges with the hardest man on the market. [Valenzuela] is without doubt one of the hardest guys on the market, too, and that offers me lots of respect. I am welcoming the problem. He is a worthy opponent.”
Cruz’s grasp plan is to take part in title unification fights, with 140-pound belt holder Teofimo Lopez Jr. main the bunch, after which resume his profession as soon as once more as a light-weight.
“I wish to keep at 140 kilos for my two-year plan, and I’ll return right down to 135 kilos. However for now, I’m a 140-pounder,” stated Cruz.
“I wish to face the opposite three champions to unify the division. All of it is determined by who’s as much as the problem. That is what it is going to take for me to get to the subsequent degree and change into the subsequent supper PPV star.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports activities journalist, author and broadcast reporter. He’s additionally a member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America and the MMA Journalists Affiliation. He might be reached on X (previously Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, by means of electronic mail at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or through www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
