Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz puts his Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title on the line against Puerto Rico’s Nestor Bravo this Saturday night at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, live on DAZN
By Chris Williams
Pitbull Cruz vs. Nestor Bravo: The War Is Almost Here
SAN DIEGO – The talking is nearly over. The final preparations are underway. And on Saturday night, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and Nestor Bravo will settle their differences inside the ring.
The Mexican superstar and Interim WBC Super Lightweight Champion stepped into fight week Wednesday at Escuela De Boxeo in San Diego, joined by Bravo and several of the card’s top fighters for an open media workout ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated showdown.
Cruz will defend his title against Puerto Rico’s once-beaten Bravo this Saturday, September 19, in the main event at Pechanga Arena. The action will stream live on DAZN and is presented by Premier Boxing Champions, with the event promoted by TGB Promotions.
For Cruz, the fight represents more than another title defense. It marks the beginning of a new chapter alongside renowned trainer Eddy Reynoso — and the Mexican star is promising to bring the same relentless energy that has made him one of boxing’s most recognizable attractions.
“This is the start of a new era for Pitbull Cruz,” Cruz said Wednesday. “I’m always glad to work with good people, and my camp is about preparation and good vibes.”
And then there is the rivalry.
Mexico vs. Puerto Rico has produced some of boxing’s most memorable nights, and Cruz believes Saturday has all the ingredients for another classic.
“Bravo is an all-out fighter, and Saturday night is going to be an all-out war where I expect nothing but fireworks for the fans,” Cruz said.
Cruz Embracing the Pressure
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Cruz knows exactly what comes with being one of the biggest Mexican attractions in the sport.
The spotlight. The expectations. The passionate fans.
Rather than shy away from it, the champion says he embraces it.
“Pressure is a privilege,” Cruz said. “It only motivates me even more. I want people to think, ‘I’m about to see an explosive warrior give his all.’”
With Mexican Independence Month adding another layer of significance to the occasion, Cruz sees Saturday as an opportunity to represent his country and deliver a performance his supporters can be proud of.
“Fighting during Mexican Independence Month means a lot to me and all of Mexico,” he said. “That’s why it’s my duty to put on a show and fight with pride on Saturday night.”
His message to the fans was simple:
“Fans are the spark that ignite me to give my all from the very first second of the fight. Now it’s up to me to spark them as well.”
Bravo Has Been Waiting for This Moment
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Across the ring will be Nestor Bravo, a Puerto Rican contender who believes years of hard work have brought him to this exact opportunity.
Bravo enters the fight with only one split-decision loss on his professional record, and he says he is prepared for whatever Cruz brings when the bell rings.
“I’m ready to do whatever it takes so that we hear ‘and the new’ on Saturday night,” Bravo said. “This is the opportunity I’ve worked my whole career for.”
For Bravo, this moment has been years in the making.
“I’ve been knocking on the door for the last few years,” he said. “I’ve just stayed in the gym every day and stayed focused on boxing.”
The Puerto Rican contender isn’t expecting an easy night. In fact, he seems to welcome the possibility of a fight that turns into a battle.
“I’m prepared for everything that Pitbull brings,” Bravo said. “He likes to fight, just like I do. If he does something different, then it’s my job to take advantage. We’re both going to try to push each other to another level.”
Bravo also emphasized the physical advantages he believes he can bring at 140 pounds.
“I’m a real 140-pounder that he’s going up against,” he said. “I just have to be mentally prepared to capitalize when my opportunity is there.”
Ramos Jr. and Nursultanov Ready for Their Own High-Stakes Battle
The Cruz-Bravo main event isn’t the only fight carrying serious stakes.
Interim WBC Middleweight Champion Jesús “Mono” Ramos Jr. will meet unbeaten mandatory challenger Meiirim Nursultanov in a high-stakes co-main event.
Ramos Jr. spoke about his desire to test himself against the best fighters of his generation while delivering the kind of action fans have come to expect from him.
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“The greats before me were already building a legacy from a young age and I’m trying to bring that back,” Ramos Jr. said. “I want to face everyone in their prime and give fans great fights. That’s what I’m here for.”
Ramos also reflected on his previous fight against Shane Mosley Jr., saying the experience showed him just how deeply he could dig when things got difficult.
“I learned in my last fight that I’m a bad man,” Ramos Jr. said. “I went into that fight injured and I didn’t care. I fought my heart out for 12 rounds against Shane Mosley Jr. I learned that I can dig deep and overcome obstacles. I’m a warrior.”
Nursultanov, meanwhile, enters the matchup confident in his preparation and proud of the fighting style he represents.
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“I’m going to show the Kazakh style and the will we have to win,” Nursultanov said. “We’re warriors and we’re ready to take that title from Ramos.”
Daniel Blancas Looking to Make a Statement at 168
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Rising super middleweight Daniel “Iceman” Blancas will also have an opportunity to put his name on the map when he faces once-beaten Sergio Jimenez in a 10-round bout.
Blancas sees the fight as a chance to establish himself as one of the division’s emerging names.
“I want everyone to see that I’m an up-and-coming fighter to watch,” Blancas said. “My style is fan-friendly and I like to bring the action. I like to fight and I’m gonna show that on Saturday.”
Blancas is also targeting a statement victory against a veteran who has yet to be stopped.
“He hasn’t been knocked out yet, so stopping him would be a way to show what I can do,” Blancas said. “That’s the goal.”
With the 168-pound division wide open, Blancas believes the opportunity in front of him could be the beginning of something much bigger.
“I’d like to establish myself as one of the new faces at 168 pounds,” he said. “When the time comes, I’ll be ready.”
Marco Verde Ready for the Spotlight
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Opening the action will be Mexican Olympic Silver Medalist Marco Verde, who takes on unbeaten Guillermo Hernandez.
For Verde, competing on a major card alongside Cruz is both motivating and meaningful.
“I’m very excited, happy and thrilled to be part of this great fight card,” Verde said. “I’m going to put on a show on Saturday night.”
The Mexican prospect also spoke about the pride that comes with fighting during Mexican Independence Month.
“Fighting during Mexican Independence Month is a great honor and a source of pride for me,” Verde said. “Nothing makes me happier than having the support of the Mexican fans.”
Verde is also working with Eddy Reynoso and his team, an experience he says has already been valuable to his development.
“I’m very happy to be working with Eddy Reynoso and his team,” Verde said. “They provide me with everything I need, and it’s a pleasure to work with him and everyone who helps me improve every day.”
Saturday Night Is Almost Here
With fight week underway, the message from the fighters is clear: nobody is coming to San Diego simply to participate.
Cruz wants to defend his title and begin his new chapter with Reynoso in his corner. Bravo wants to finally kick down the door and leave San Diego as champion. Ramos Jr. and Nursultanov are fighting for championship stakes of their own, while Blancas and Verde are looking to turn opportunity into momentum.
And at the center of it all is another chapter in boxing’s Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry.
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Nestor Bravo takes place Saturday, September 19, at Pechanga Arena in San Diego. The event streams live on DAZN, with the main card beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event are available through AXS.com.
The wait is almost over.
Saturday night, the talking stops.
