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 Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) is an opponent he’s wanted to fight for a long time, but never got the chance 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 Bout
Cruz is a former WBA light welterweight champion. He lost his title in his last fight to Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela via a 12-round split decision on August 3rd.
“Yeah, in May. We’re going to fight there. It’s going to be good. Another great fight. I’m ready to do it,” said Ryan Garcia to KO Artist Sports about him fighting Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in May in New York. “Pitbull is still a great fighter. He may have lost once (correction: 3 times), but the fans love him. He’s a big dick.
“There were so many people in London, and they all gathered with Turki. It’s nuts. Times Square, yes,” said Ryan about where he plans to fight in May. “Me and Pitbull were going to fight on many occasions. It never went down.
“I think this is a fight that the fans wanted for a long time until he (Pitbull Cruz) loses (to Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela on August 3). I don’t think it should make a difference. It’s still a explosive fight. Rayo boxed a great fighter, so you can’t take anything away from him,” Garcia said.
For the record, Pitbull Cruz lost three times as a professional 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 won’t care, and hardcore fans won’t care. They just want to see Ryan Garcia in action against someone. For most fans, Ryan could fight a cardboard prop, and they would be happy.
“We’ll have to find a replacement if he doesn’t win, but I’m sure we will,” Ryan said of Isaac Cruz’s fight against Angel Fierro on Feb. 1 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “When I win, I’ll fight (Devin Haney) again, I’ll fight again. So, I can finally put it to rest and move forward 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 great puncher, and will catch Cruz coming off a loss to Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela.
If Curz is beaten, Ryan’s team will have to act quickly to find someone strong enough for him to fight on the May card. One good thing Garcia has going for him is Turki Al-Sheikh. He’d probably offer a top-tier fighter the chance to fight Ryan, and they’d jump.
