Ryan Garcia confirmed on Friday that he will fight Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in May in Times Square in New York. Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez will also be on the card.
Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) said that Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) is an opponent he has wanted to fight for a long time, but has not had the opportunity until now. Cruz was brought in for a tune-up to prepare Ryan for a rematch against Devin Haney in October in Riyadh.
Big apple
Cruz is a former WBA welterweight champion. He lost the title in his last fight to Jose ‘Ray’ Valenzuela by split decision over 12 rounds on August 3
“Yes, in May. We will fight there. It will be fine. Another big fight. I’m ready to do it,” Ryan Garcia said KO Artist Sport about his fight with Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in May in New York. “Pitbull is still a great fighter. Maybe he lost once [correction: 3 times]but the fans love him. He’s a big dick.
“There were so many people in London and they were all meeting with Turki. That’s crazy. Times Square, yes,” Ryan said of where he plans to fight in May. “Me and Pitbull wanted to fight on many occasions. He never fell.
“I feel like this is the fight that the fans have wanted for a long time as long as he [Pitbull Cruz] lost [to Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela on August 3rd]. I don’t think there should be any difference. He is 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 Ray last August because casual boxing fans won’t be aware and hardcore fans won’t mind. They just want to see Ryan Garcia in action against anyone. For most fans, Ryan could fight with a cardboard prop and they’d be happy.
“We’d have to find a replacement if he doesn’t win, but I’m sure he will,” Ryan said of Isaac Cruz’s fight against Angelo Fierro on Feb. 1 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “When I win, I will fight him [Devin Haney] again, beat him again. Then, I can finally leave it alone and move on with my career. Maybe fight Teofim. That’s how it’s going to go.”
There’s a good chance Pitbull Cruz could lose to Angelo Fierro next month on the David Benavidez vs. David Morrell card. Fierro is a big hitter and is catching Cruz after his loss to Jose ‘Ray’ Valenzuela.
If Curz is defeated, Ryan’s team will have to act quickly to find someone who is in a hurry to fight him on the May card. One good thing Garcia likes is Turki Al-Sheikh. They’ll probably offer a top fighter a chance to fight Ryan, and they’ll take it.
