Ryan Garcia vs. Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz is still in talks, looking at a possible weight of 144 lbs for their welterweight bout in May in Times Square in Manhattan, New York. It’s a Turki Al-Sheikh doubleheader, with Devin Haney taking on former WBC and WBO welterweight champion Jose Ramirez in a high-stakes contest.
Garcia-Cruz in 144
Fighting at welterweight isn’t ideal for the short 5’4″ Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) because he was small, even when he was fighting at lightweight. It will be interesting to see if Pitbull has more power at 144. If he is even more dangerous at that weight than he is at 140, Kingry (24-1, 20 KOs) could be in for a tough fight.
The nightmare for the Turk would be for Garcia and Haney to lose their prelims on the same night, sending them into the October rematch after humiliating defeats. Ryan has a lot of pride and could resist a fight with Haney without at least trying to avenge his loss to Cruz by fighting him in October. It would be up to Turkey if he still wants Garcia and Haney to fight after the loss.
Haney’s opponent, 2012 US Olympian Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs), may have too much talent for him. This is a guy Devin would have had trouble beating even before Ryan hit him last April, but after that win, he’ll be vulnerable against hitters like Ramirez.
Haney faces Ramirez
When Haney agreed to fight Ramirez, he may have thought he had another Regis Prograis to outbox with his jab and hold. However, Ramirez is a much better fighter than Prograis, and the tricks that Haney used against Regis—constant clinches, jabs, and moves—won’t work as well against the experienced Ramirez. He often dealt with these types of fighters throughout his amateur and professional career.
Update: Talks continue for #GarciaCruz…there is no economic agreement yet, and the weight is possible at 144 pounds.
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— Salvador Rodriguez (@ChavaESPN) January 19, 2025
Last update 19.01.2025
