Cruz-ing to the top of the lightweight ladder

Not even a tank can run over a pitbull!

This past Sunday night, on a rare end of weekend gig, WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (29-0, 26 KO’s) of Baltimore, Maryland retained his world title but had to grind it out for the full 12 rounds to do it. Davis kept his belt with a UD 12 over Mexico City’s Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (22-2, 15 KOs) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The scores were tight at 116-112, 115-113, 115-113, and many who watched the fight agreed it was all that and closer.

Davis who fought the latter stages of the bout with only one hand due to an injury to his left, was expected to blast out Cruz in the first half of the bout but the rugged, offensive-minded Cruz was having none of that. Cruz went right after Davis, one of boxing’s biggest draws, and didn’t let up for the full 12.

Cruz was originally scheduled to appear on the undercard, but when original Davis opponent Rolando Romero fell out, Cruz was inserted into the main event, and he welcomed the headline slot with open arms. Cruz, who fought in a swarming, attacking style behind a tight defensive shell, raked Davis with head and body shots, while also displaying an under-rated defense, blocking and slipping many of the champions hard counter punches.

While many in the star-studded audience watched in hopeful anticipation for one of Davis’ highlight reel uppercuts to end the night, it was a tall order on Cruz who has never been off his feet as a pro. Instead, they were treated to a breakout performance from Cruz, a fan-friendly fighter who initiated much of the offensive action throughout the fight.

Cruz was coming to the fight, off 3 great performances over the last year and he wasn’t about to let this marquee opportunity slip by. Before squaring off with Davis, Cruz had KO’d former world title challenger Diego Magdaleno in a highlight reel stoppage in 1 round, beat undefeated Argentinian contender Jose Romero over 12 rounds and decisioned former world champion Francisco Vargas this past June. Before that, Cruz had been undefeated in his previous 18 straight bouts dating back to 2016, then only a year into his pro career.

Now at the young age of 23, with 25 bouts, a world title shot and some world class experience under his belt, things are only getting better for the 5’4” slugger.

Sean Gibbons, the head of Manny Pacquiao’s promotional firm that promotes Cruz, was disappointed with the loss but was happy the 15,000+ in attendance got to see something he always knew.

“This guy is only 23, he is fan friendly, you heard the crowd at Staples Centre”, said Gibbons. “He is a pressure fighter who brings the heat and people love that. He is always in good fights, and he is going to be in many more. He won the crowd over tonight and they’ll love him even more when he wins a world title. He will be a world champion”.

Added Brendan Gibbons (Sean’s son) who was in the corner with Cruz Sunday night. “Isaac is such a fun guy to watch, he brings the pressure and goes hard to the head and body. But his attack is measured, and he doesn’t compromise his defense. He is just going to get better. The fans loved him last Sunday. If anyone thought he was just showing up to be the next guy for Davis to look good against, no way. He came to win, and he applied the pressure all night, he was the aggressor”, he said. “This is a great young fighter with lots of great fights in his future”.

After the fight, Cruz was disappointed he didn’t get the win. However, he knew by the loud cheers that he was leaving the building as the people’s champ.

“Viva Mexico. I have nothing to say, the fans are speaking on who won this fight,” he said.