Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz & The Big Fights on The Horizon

What is next for Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (29-3-2, 19 KOs) after his sixth-round knockout of Nestor Bravo (24-2, 17 KOs)?

Cruz impressed on Saturday at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California, though the fight itself was utterly unimpressive.

The iconic 5’4” Mexican, with a unique demeanor and look, took to the ring and mauled Bravo, who looked clueless from the start. A foul-riddled fight saw Bravo lose a few points and hit the canvas a couple of times before a leaping left hook from Cruz sealed the deal. Afterward, Cruz, the interim WBC junior welterweight, called out high-profile names; let’s talk through who could be next.

Ryan Garcia

Garcia is extremely famous and holds the WBC welterweight title. This would force Cruz to move up yet another division. His run at junior welterweight has been solid, but some have questioned whether the weight class truly suits him. Against Bravo, those questions weren’t answered. For Cruz, facing Garcia is a win-win: he gets to make a lot of money, and if he were to lose, he could always lean into it: He dared to be great.

The fight also echoes Oscar De La Hoya versus Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., as Cruz is a proud, no-nonsense Mexican fighter, while Garcia is a flashy Mexican-American fighter who doesn’t always connect with a macho Mexican fanbase.

It could be good, but there is more.

Dalton Smith-Alberto Puello winner

Smith knocked out Subriel Matias. It looked like a year when he could win “Fighter of the Year.” Sadly, that train probably came and went. Now, after a delay, he is looking to make a mandatory title defense. Smith is a good puncher, and we are looking to see where he fits as a champion.

Puello is a former champion who has only lost to Matias by a close majority decision. Stylistically, Puello is the archetype of someone who can trouble Cruz.

We have to see who wins…

Gary Antuanne Russell

The Russell family seems plagued by inactivity, and since winning the title, Russell has fought once, defeating Andy Hiraoka. He is rumored to be set for a potential Shakur Stevenson fight, but at least one other name is in the running for that fight as well. Russell has a come-forward, aggressive style and fights under the Premier Boxing Champions banner, so it is a very marketable fight.

Gervonta Davis

Cruz rose to fame after fighting Davis in a December pay-per-view nearly five years ago. Now, with Davis approaching nearly two years out of the ring, revisiting this fight could be possible.

Lucas Ketelle

Lucas Ketelle is a boxing writer and podcaster who has appeared on various platforms throughout his career.

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