By Miguel Maravilla
Photos By Cris Esqueda/PBC
Championship boxing returns to sunny San Diego this weekend as WBC interim super lightweight champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (28-3-2, 18 KOs) of Mexico City takes on Puerto Rico’s Nestor Bravo (24-1, 17 KOs) tomorrow night in headlining from the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California live on DAZN.
In the co-feature bout, WBC interim middleweight champion Jesus Ramos Jr. (24-1, 19 KOs) of Casa Grande, Arizona takes on Kazakhstan’s undefeated and number one rated Meiirim Nursultalov (20-0, 11 KOs).
Televised Undercard
Super middleweight prospect Daniel “Iceman” Blancas (15-0, 7 KOs) of Milwaukee will square off against Sergio Jimenez (17-1-1, 15 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico in a 10-round bout. Blancas won a unanimous decision over Raul Salomon early this year on the Benavidez vs. Zurdo undercard in his last fight as he takes on the durable Mexican. Salomon fought mostly in his home state of Mexicali only defeat came to Deon Nicholson in dropping a unanimous decision.
The Pick: Blancas by Decision
2024 Mexican Olympic Silver Medalist Marco Verde (6-0, 3 KOs) of Mazatlan, Mexico takes on Guillermo Hernandez in the opening the DAZN telecast.
The Pick: Marco Verde
Cruz vs. Bravo
Pitbull Cruz is coming off a majority draw against Lamont Roach last December. Cruz scored an early knockdown in the fight and later had a point deducted. Looking to bounce back, Cruz now set his sights on Bravo. Bravo’s only defeat came at the hands of Xolisani Ndongeni and rebounded with a second round knockout of Pedro Campa.
Expect Bravo to use space and distance as Cruz will come in aggressively looking for the fight. The question here is if Bravo will be able to handle Pitbull’s aggressive style early on. Bravo will be the boxer/puncher looking for opportunities to counter Cruz’s aggressive style early on. Bravo’s style could make it complicated for Cruz but he can’t stand too long with Cruz if he wants to make it a fight.
The Pick: Cruz by late stoppage.
