LAS VEGAS – Isaac Cruz made Rolando Romero eat his words Saturday night.
Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) started off fast and beat Romero (15-2, 13 KOs) from pillar to post, from the opening bell until the fight was stopped in the eighth round. Romero simply had no answer for the pressure that Cruz applied and only had small moments of success.
With the victory, Cruz captured a junior welterweight title.
Romero trash-talked Cruz throughout the leadup to the fight, referring to him as a chihuahua instead of his nickname of “Pitbull.” The hype culminated with Romero sporting a gold chain with a chihuahua amulet featuring Cruz’s face during fight week.
When asked about the chain at the post-fight press conference, Cruz’s father and trainer, Isaac Cruz Sr., didn’t hold back.
“We made him eat his words,” the elder Cruz said. “We trained hard and did what we planned. As far as the chain goes, he can keep it because that is a lifelong reminder of the beating my son gave to him.”
As for his future plans, Cruz didn’t rule out any opponent. He said that he is open to fighting anyone.
The media mentioned unification bouts against Subriel Matias, Devin Haney and Gervonta “Tank” Davis (in a rematch) as possible future opponents. Cruz said he was open to facing all of them.
“I have always said that I have no problem fighting anyone,” Cruz said. “It is very simple: Both sides just need to come to an agreement, and we can make any fight happen. It is just a matter of negotiating a fight and coming to terms.”
