Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz can be trying to broaden his reputation 18 days from now when he defends his WBA mild welterweight title in opposition to Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela on August third on the Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov card.
Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) vs. ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs) in one of many thrilling fights on this card, which was assembled by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh for the 22,000-seat BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
This would be the 26-year-old ‘Pitbull’ Cruz’s first protection of his WBA title, which he captured earlier this yr, knocking out champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero within the eighth spherical on March thirtieth on the T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas.
Cruz’s opponent, the big-punching ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela, has put himself on this place to problem for a world title by knocking out Chris Colbert within the sixth spherical of their rematch on December sixteenth final yr at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In Rayo’s earlier two fights, he’d misplaced to Colbert by a questionable twelve-round choice and been knocked out by Edwin De Los Santos.
“Isaac Cruz is turning into one of many largest stars in American boxing. Once more, it’s going to be enormous assist for him in Los Angeles, and this battle is a troublesome one,” mentioned Eddie Hearn to the Matchroon Boxing YouTube channel, speaking about WBA mild welterweight champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz defending in opposition to #5 Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela on August third on ESPN+ PPV.
Relating to leisure worth, ‘Pitbull’ Cruz is probably the most thrilling fighter on the cardboard and the one which many boxing followers are desirous to see. That’s not a knock on the primary occasion between Crawford and Madrimov, however Cruz-Rayo is a battle the place these two guys can be throwing bombs from the second the battle begins.
They received’t be making an attempt to field like Crawford is predicted to do in his battle, and will probably be entertaining for so long as it lasts.
“Valenzuela is a artful, intelligent fighter that may battle in areas as effectively. He can battle on the within and battle on the surface,” mentioned Hearn. “However Pitbull Cruz is powerful and thrilling. He’s an actual pound-for-pound potential fighter however a PPV potential fighter as effectively.”
I wouldn’t name ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela a “artful” fighter. He’s extra of a gunslinger who can be firing bullets at ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, trying to get him out of there as a result of that’s his fashion. Furthermore, Rayo is trying to give the followers an amazing battle, and he received’t need to play it secure, which can damage his marketability.
“He’s [Cruz] all motion, and once you fought on the Tim Tszyu card [on March 30th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas], the entire area was going nuts for Pitbull Cruz, and that’s going to be an excellent battle,” mentioned Hearn.
