Ryan Garcia could be challenging Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz for his WBC interim light welterweight title next. It’s not the fight that Ryan (24-2, 20 KOs) wanted against WBA 147-lb champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, but he’d have a better shot at winning.
Cruz’s Relentless Style and Power
The fight is a lot more risky for Kingry than a rematch with Rolly, because Pitbull can punch, and he’ll be on the attack 24/7. I wouldn’t take the fight if I were Ryan. He’s not equipped to go to war with a fighter like Cruz, and he wouldn’t be able to count on his left hook smash bailing him out. Cruz has an excellent chin.
It won’t be an occasional bomb Ryan would be getting hit with, like in his fight against Romero. He’d be getting numerous times each round with punches nearly as hard as the one Rolly dropped with him in round two of their fight last May.
If Ryan is still insisting on getting a massive payday for his next fight, he won’t be happy that he’s facing Cruz (28-3-1, 18 KOs). It will not match the $20 million he got for his headliner against Rolly on May 2nd at Times Square in New York City.
“Reports indicate that Isaac Cruz would make his first defense of the interim WBC Super Lightweight championship against Ryan García,” said ESPN Knockout.
Weight Issues Haunt Garcia’s Career
It’s highly doubtful that Ryan, 26, can make the 140-lb limit. He hasn’t made weight for the light welterweight division in three years since his fight against Javier Fortuna in July 2022. Garcia’s clashes against Oscar Duarte and Devin Haney at light welterweight were both over the 140-lb limit.
If Ryan is drained and dead at the weight, he’s going to be an easy victory over ‘Pitbull’ Cruz because this is his weight class. Cruz easily makes the 140-lb limit. This is not the kind of fighter that Ryan needs to be facing if he’s not 100% after making weight. It’s more likely Rtan won’t make weight, and will be facing Cruz with no belt at stake.
Is Garcia Washed Up?
Fighting for the WBC interim 140-lb title is pointless for Garcia because it’s not like he’s going to stay in the division and defend the belt. He couldn’t even if he wanted to, and he won’t be eager to fight WBC 140-lb champion Subriel Matias for the full belt. That’s who Cruz should be fighting.
Some fans believe that Ryan is washed now after his loss to Romero. They feel that whatever magic he had for his win over Devin Haney in 2024 is now gone.