Before the fireworks of the main event between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford fighting for the undisputed welterweight world title on pay-per-view, on July 29 at the T-Mobile Arena, we will see the ever-popular Mexican lightweight Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz take on undefeated Giovanni Cabrera, in the co-main event.
Since a close loss to Gervonta Davis, Cruz has been a fixture of the big fight landscape as some even believe that Cruz should've gotten the nod against Davis. Even then, he has critics, one of which being Shakur Stevenson, the number-one contender for the WBC lightweight world title, and who is campaigning to be the WBO number-one contender as well. Stevenson has been vocal about his frustration in not getting a fight with a big-name fighter and has called out Cruz by name.
In a media scrum after his undercard workout, Cruz addressed Stevenson's comments via a translator.
The 25-year-old boxer from Mexico City has now become a fan favorite as the loudest cheers of the day outside of the main event fighters were for himself and future hall-of-famer Nonito Donaire. Since his loss to Davis in 2021, Cruz has put forth two consecutive knockouts with whispers of a potential Davis rematch with a good performance on Saturday night.
“The big fights and the big moments I’ve had definitely helped me mature," said Cruz. "The quality of opponents I’ve had have made me better ever since I fought them.”
In 2020, Cruz loudly introduced himself to the fight world with a first-round knockout over former world title challenger Diego Magdaleno then followed them up with wins over Francisco Vargas and Matias Romero.
Cruz is amongst the elite company as his action-packed style and fan following having a lot of Mexican fight fans hoping that he can be the next great Mexican boxer. A country with fight rich history that has produced fighters such as Julio Cesar Chavez, Salvador Sanchez Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Erik Morales.
As for what Cruz feels he needs to do against a tricky boxer in Cabrera who is trained by a hall-of-fame trainer, Freddie Roach, Cruz made it sound simple.
“I’m just going to have to be smart, and not get into his game," said Cruz. "I need to dictate everything."
