Connect with us

Boxing

“I don’t think Pitbull will lose his title anytime soon.”

Published

on

Isaac Cruz, the WBA super lightweight world champion, won his title in emphatic fashion when he defeated Rolly Romero in March in Las Vegas.

Cruz’s stock then skyrocketed, and manager Sean Gibbons said he hadn’t seen anyone’s popularity rise that much in a long time.

Cruz makes his first defense on August 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in a massive event co-hosted by TGB, Matchroom, Golden Boy, Warriors Boxing and Salita Boxing, and Gibbons sees Cruz steal the show.

“I guarantee this guy [Cruz] in Los Angeles, they won’t be able to walk anywhere,” Gibbons said. “When we’re in Vegas and it’s fight week, we get stopped a lot and trying to get from the elevator to the restaurant is impossible. Last time there was almost a riot, people pushing and shoving.

“I’ve worked with guys like Orlando Salido and in some ways he reminds me of him in the same weight class. I also worked with the best, i.e. Chavez and these players. But right now “Pitbull” is the hottest guy I’ve ever worked with, and I’ve been doing it for a long time.

“If there’s going to be a card in Los Angeles, you’re going to have to fill it with Mexicans. Thank God I am lucky to work [heavyweight] Andy Ruiz Jr. and the hottest Mexican outside of Canelo, “Pitbull.” There are some good fights there [Tim] Tszyu i [Vergil] Ortiz, Andy and his man [Jarrell Miller]but Isaac can’t fight a bad fight, and it’s kind of a perilous fight because my man [Jose] Valenzuela, this style will not be popular in the California arena.

Gibbons also believes there is still a lot left for Cruz, who is only 25 and 26-2-1 (18 KOs). First, Gibbons believes that having the title will improve Cruz as a fighter.

“It’s like they say, mentally you improve by X [by holding a title]especially him since his father was basically used as an opponent, Isaac Cruz Sr. he’s not a bad fighter, you can see on BoxRec, he’s about 14-6, he fought with Vernon Forrest, Ivan Robinson, a kid’s dream, his father’s dream, his father’s dream, that belt was there.

“So I see a guy who was in la-la-land before his opportunity at Rolly’s. He was in space. We had nothing, we didn’t know what we were doing, he was huge, he was fat, now physically and mentally he looks like the Mexican Mike Tyson, he fights for his children and wife, and they are with us all the time when he is at the camp and at the fight . So I see a guy who won’t lose the belt any time soon.”

There are substantial fights ahead for Cruz, but August 3 should assist build his brand and maybe another nice fight, but Gibbons admits there are two opponents who will assist Cruz’s star shine even brighter. One of them is a rematch with Gervonta “Tank” Davis and the other with Ryan Garcia, who has become one of the most controversial figures in sports. In 2021, Tank scored a hard-fought and narrow decision victory over Cruz.

“It’s not like we’re chasing him, our little friend Gervonta. We’re done trying to fight this fight unless someone says, ‘Here’s the contract,'” added Gibbons. “We wasted two years waiting for another chance. Ryan would be another great fight and unfortunately we have to wait and see for his situation now, but the two mega fights for “Pitbull” are the Gervonta and Ryan Garcia rematch. These are the substantial guys. Besides, if all goes well, on the third one [of August]created his own brand.

“It’s the craziest thing. His [Cruz’s] on social media, the number increased from 814,000 to 1.4 million per week. . This is bullshit to me. But they recognize him everywhere. The Gervonta fight put him on the map, and the Rolly fight really put him there.

“And his personality and who he is, he’s the most humble guy. This is like [Miguel] Cotto, but Isaac has more personality. Cotto was a silent, silent guy, didn’t like doing many interviews and didn’t like being around a lot of people. Isaac has a personality that some people in sports have and just like. I call it Pitbull mania.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Ryan Rozicki is waiting for Badou Jack’s consent to mandatory cooperation with the WBC

Published

on

Badou Jack Rozicki Mikaelian WBC

The World Boxing Council (WBC) ordered world cruiserweight champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KO) to make a mandatory title defense against Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1), number 1 in the WBC ranking – 1, 19 KOs).

If both camps fail to successfully negotiate an agreement, the WBC will organize a tender on February 4, followed by the Jack vs. Rozicki. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jacek an offer to promote the fight in Canada last week.

“We are waiting for their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most electrifying and hardest-hitting fighters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the WBC green belt and ultimately the unification of the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.”

29-year-old Rozicki, born in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and living in Hamilton (Ontario), fought 22 professional fights against 21 different opponents (twice against Yamil Alberto Peralta), stopping 19 of the 20 opponents he defeated. an eye-opening 95-KO percentage.

Jack, 41, was a 2008 Olympian representing his native Sweden. He is a three-division world champion, as well as the WBC super middleweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight heavyweight title holder. Jack has a record of 5-0-2 (2 KO) in world championship fights.

“We respect Jack and I don’t want to sound disrespectful,” Otter added, “but he’s over 40 years vintage and has been relatively inactive for two years (only one fight). He brings a lot of experience and respect to the ring, but he will fight a newborn defender with a lot of power. Jack is going to struggle and honestly, I don’t think he’ll make it past the first few rounds.”

Ryan Rozicki is on a mission to become the first Canadian cruiserweight world champion.

The next move is Badou Jack’s.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Floyd Mayweather’s record is not normal, it can’t happen in 70 years

Published

on

Floyd Mayweather 50-0

Floyd Mayweather’s incredible 50-0 record is not normal and cannot be repeated in sports for another seventy years.

This is the view of Saudi Arabian president Turki Alalshikh, who wants to adopt the UFC model in which fighters lose many fights during their career.

In a speech as he hosted the Ring Magazine Awards after acquiring the long-running boxing publication from Oscar De La Hoya, Alalshikh was unequivocal in his opinion.

“Now losing some fights in boxing must be normal,” he explained. “All fighters want a career similar to Floyd Mayweather – no losses. This may happen once every 50, 60 or 70 years.

“We need it [to be] like currently in the UFC model, where champions lose and win,” added the matchmaker during the Riyad season.

Mayweather rose through the sport in the tardy 1990s to become one of its youngest superstars. Mayweather’s professional success came after winning a bronze medal at the Olympics after losing to Serafim Todorov.

Winning world titles in five weight classes, Mayweather was untouchable. The Grand Rapids native only came close to defeat a few times. He dominated Manny Pacquiao and overtook Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya after heated debates, with decisions that should have been made unanimously.

Towards the end of his career, Mayweather chose to face Andre Berto and Conor McGregor, easily winning and ending his boxing career at the age of 50 without ever going out. Calling himself “the greatest of all time,” Mayweather earned first-ballot Hall of Fame honors and is widely considered one of, if not the greatest defensive fighter of all time.

However, Alalshikh says this type of career needs to end so that fans can get the most out of boxing, as is the case with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Boxing needs to become more attractive, and Alalshikh sees the failures of top stars as a way to keep interest at an all-time high.

In this sport, many boxers enjoy undefeated streaks, the most notable of which is Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian Pound for Pound King is 23-0 and has beaten the best he has to offer in his division and cruiserweight classification.

It remains a mystery how Alalshikh plans to make Usyk suffer while he dominates everyone else. By the time his grand plan goes into action, Usyk will be long gone, and Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney may be more realistic targets.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to win the title against Mario Barrios

Published

on

Manny Pacquiao vs Barrios

WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.

Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”

WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.

Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.

As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.

However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.

Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.

Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.

Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending