The first fight was fought at close quarters. Cruz cut across the ring, worked brief hooks and forced Davis to fight in tight spaces rather than his preferred distance. Davis adapted tardy, hitting on the back foot and attacking, but never dominated the exchanges. It was a competitive decision, based on neat striking and command in the ring, not separation.
Now Cruz believes that time is on his side.
“Pitbull sat patiently and watched everyone fight and get ready for the modern year,” Sean Gibbons said Boxing Scene. “He called me and made a little list of three players. Gervonta Davis is at the top of the list.”
Reasoning is both practical and personal. Davis remains in Florida on bail due to legal issues and has not announced a return date following his contentious draw with Lamont Roach Jnr. The lightweight picture has slowed down as the contenders wait to see which direction he will choose.
Gibbons spoke directly about this possibility.
“Gervonta already beat him, he’s in the corner, he doesn’t want to fight Shakur or Roach,” Gibbons said. “He needs a guy who will bring him money.”
Cruz was ready. Retaining Rolando Romero in 2024 reinforced what he does best. He starts with a jab, closes the distance and works the body until exchanges translate into brief combinations. He doesn’t give up easily. Forces opponents to roll under pressure and tests the gas tank in rounds.
At 140, where Cruz recently fought, and at lightweight, where Davis built his name, the fight remains a possibility. Cruz doesn’t chase rankings. He’s chasing a fight that makes sense in the ring and at the box office.
For Davis, the next task will show whether he intends to strengthen himself through activity and results. For Cruz, the message is already clear. He is ready to trade the middle distance again and this time he believes the pace and pressure will tilt the scorecards in his favor.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most vital fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.