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Add FightsATW on GoogleNine months after his majority draw in December against Lamont Roach Jr., interim WBC junior welterweight champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz is set to return to the ring on September 19 at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California, live on DAZN. His opponent is 32-year-old Puerto Rican veteran Nestor Bravo (24-1, 17 KOs), whose only loss came by split decision in March 2026 against Xolisani Ndongeni. The fight card will stream on DAZN as part of PBC’s (Premier Boxing Champions) deal with the streaming platform that runs through the end of the year.
In a 140-pound division that has somewhat lost its identity but is looking to regain it in short order, Cruz (28-3-2, 18 KOs) aims to regain some of the momentum lost after his last fight. There are quite a few intriguing matchups at 140, but Cruz must first get by Bravo if he wants to be part of any of them in 2027. Bravo was last in the ring in January when he scored a second-round knockout over Pedro Campa in New York. A win over Cruz can place Bravo in a very lucrative position, so he understands what’s at stake.
Below is the press release from Premier Boxing Champions about the September 19 card in San Diego, live on DAZN. Tickets for the event are now available on AXS.
“Mexican star Isaac ’Pitbull’ Cruz is an established must-see attraction, and combined with the highly-touted phenom Jesús Ramos Jr. competing on the card, Saturday, September 19 shapes up to be a can’t miss fight for San Diego’s passionate Mexican boxing fanbase,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “These bouts on DAZN will feature these two still ascendant stars in highly-competitive matchups as the skilled and determined Bravo and undefeated Nursultanov look to make their own names on the big stage.”
“Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz is one of boxing’s most exciting and recognizable stars, and his all-action style makes every appearance must-see,” said Britton Hardin, Head of Boxing, North America at DAZN. “His title defense against Nestor Bravo promises an action-packed main event, while Jesús Ramos Jr. faces a major test against an unbeaten mandatory challenger in the co-main event. This is exactly the type of competitive, high-stakes card that DAZN and Premier Boxing Champions are committed to delivering to fight fans.”
**ISAAC CRUZ VS. NESTOR BRAVO**
After a hard-fought draw against Lamont Roach Jr. last December, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz will look to thrill his impassioned fanbase once again as he competes in the 12-round main event against the veteran Puerto Rican contender Nestor Bravo.
Buoyed on by his adoring fans, Cruz (28-3-2, 18 KOs) became a world champion in March 2024 as he hurt Rolly Romero badly in round one before eventually ending the fight in round eight via TKO to claim the WBA title. Prior to dropping Roach on his way to the draw, Cruz bounced back from a loss to Jose Valenzuela by out-slugging countryman Angel Fierro in February 2025 before turning away Omar Salcido by unanimous decision in July. A native of Mexico City, Cruz shot up the rankings in 2020, announcing his presence with an electrifying first-round knockout over veteran Diego Magdaleno in October before adding dominant decisions over Francisco Vargas and Jose Matias Romero. This rise led to the 28-year-old challenging undefeated superstar Gervonta Davis in December 2021, a fight that saw Cruz lose by decision to become just the second fighter at the time to see the final bell against Davis. Cruz also owns stoppage wins over former champion Yuriorkis Gamboa and veteran contender Eduardo Ramirez, in addition to a 12-round decision over the then-unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera.
“I am extremely motivated to return to the ring on September 19,” said Cruz. “I know that Bravo is very hungry and hoping to pull off the upset, but I also have a very clear goal, to keep proving that I belong among the elite.”
The 32-year-old Bravo (24-1, 17 KOs) delivered a statement victory and showed of his considerable power in his last outing as he scored a sensational one-punch knockout over Pedro Campa in January. The triumph was a bounce back effort for Bravo, who had previously been on the wrong end of a narrow split decision against Xolisani Ndongeni in March 2025. A native of Arecibo, Puerto Rico had racked up an unbeaten record across 23 fights since turning pro in February 2015, with considerable experience on U.S. cards while on the rise. He’s shown his boxing acumen and durability in a pair of 10-round unanimous decision victories over veteran contenders Will Madera and Jose Gallegos. In addition, Bravo was an accomplished Puerto Rican amateur who owns a win over former world champion and Olympic gold medalist Robson Concecaio.
“September 19 is gonna be a classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico showdown,” said Bravo. “I’m very grateful to my team, and everyone who made this incredible event possible. I’m facing a tough, aggressive fighter who comes forward and likes to engage. But I have all the skills and versatility to win by any means necessary. We’re preparing the right way, and on fight night Puerto Rico will have a new champion.
**JESUS RAMOS JR. VS. MEIIRIM NURSULTANOV**
Another Mexican star known for his all-action style, Jesús “Mono” Ramos Jr. announced his presence at 160-pounds in style last December with a bruising victory over Shane Mosley Jr. that won him the interim title that he’ll defend against the Kazakh power-puncher and unbeaten top-rated challenger Meiirim Nursultanov.
Still just 25-years-old but already boasting a deep resume, Ramos (24-1, 19 KOs) took home a unanimous decision over Mosley last December to make it four-straight victories after coming up on the wrong end of a contested decision against top contender Erickson Lubin in September 2023. A native of Casa Grande, Ariz., Ramos had worked his way up the rankings by defeating a slew of contenders including Brian Mendoza, Javier Molina, Vladimir Hernandez and an emphatic stoppage of the then-unbeaten Joey Spencer. Trained by his father Jesús Sr., and the nephew of veteran contender Abel, Ramos entered the Lubin fighting having stopped seven of his last 10 opponents.
“I’m super excited to be back in the ring and extra motivated to defend my title for the first time,” said Ramos. “I know my opponent has a lot of experience and has been waiting for his opportunity. He’s a hungry and dangerous fighter, so we’re expecting the best version of him on September 19.”
Looking to follow in the footsteps of countryman and former middleweight star Gennadiy Golovkin, Nursultanov (20-0, 11 KOs) will return to fight stateside for the first time since 2019 with an opportunity to catapult himself to the upper echelon of the sport with a victory. Originally from Ayagoz, Kazakhstan, Nursultanov now trains in Southern California as he looks to be the next Eastern European star to come out west and make his name inside the ring. The 32-year-old’s last fight was his first going the 12-round distance, as he won by a wide margin on the cards against then once-beaten Julio Alamos. A pro since 2016, he’s also best veteran contenders including Andrey Sirotkin, Marcelo Coceres and the previously unbeaten Kazuto Takesako.
“This upcoming bout is a moment I’ve been eagerly waiting for,” said Nursultanov. “Getting here took patience and relentless effort. Enough talk; I’m fully dialed in and ready to give my all. I’m bringing pure focus, intense drive and a hunger for victory.”
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