Ryan Garcia confirmed on Friday that he’ll be fighting Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in May at Times Square in New York. Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez will also be on the card.
Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) said Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) is an opponent he’s wanted to fight for a long time but has never had the chance until now. Cruz is being brought in for a tune-up to prepare Ryan for a rematch against Devin Haney in October in Riyadh.
Big Apple Bout
Cruz is a former WBA light welterweight champion. He lost his title in his last fight to Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela by a 12-round split decision on August 3rd
“Yes, In May. We’re going to be fighting there. It’ll be good. Another big fight. I’m ready to do it,” said Ryan Garcia to K.O. Artist Sports about him fighting Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in May in New York. “Pitbull is still a great fighter. He may have lost one time [correction: 3 times], but fans love him. He’s a big f****.
“There were so many people in London, and they were all meeting with Turki. It’s nuts. Times Square, yes,” said Ryan about where he plans on fighting in May. “Me and Pitbull were going to fight in many occasions. It never went down.
“I feel this is a fight that fans wanted for a long time until he [Pitbull Cruz] lost [to Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela on August 3rd]. I don’t think it should make no difference. He’s still an explosive fighter. Rayo boxed a great fighter, so you can’t take anything away from him either,” said Garcia.
For the record, Pitbull Cruz has lost three times as a pro to these fighters:
– Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela
– Gervonta Davis
– Luis Montana Alvarez
It doesn’t matter that Cruz is coming off a loss to Rayo last August because casual boxing fans will be unaware, and hardcore fans won’t mind. They just want to see Ryan Garcia in action against anybody. For most fans, Ryan could fight a cardboard prop, and they’d be happy.
“We should find a replacement if he doesn’t win, but I’m sure he will,” said Ryan about Isaac Cruz’s fight against Angel Fierro on February 1st at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “When I win, I’ll fight him [Devin Haney] again, beat him again. Then, I can finally put that to rest and move on with my career. Maybe fight Teofimo. That’s how it’s going to go.”
There’s a good chance Pitbull Cruz could lose to Angel Fierro next month on the David Benavidez vs. David Morrell card. Fierro is a big puncher, and he’s catching Cruz coming off a loss to Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela.
If Curz gets beaten, Ryan’s team will need to act quickly to find someone in a hurry for him to fight on the May card. One good thing Garcia has going for him is Turki Al-Sheikh. He’ll likely offer a top-tier fighter the opportunity to fight Ryan, and they’ll jump at it.
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