Isaac Cruz and Gervonta Davis rematch is prime for 2025

Gervonta Davis

By Alan Dawson

THE prospective rematch between Isaac Cruz and Gervonta Davis will be prime for 2025.

Thatโ€™s according to โ€˜Pitbullโ€™ Cruzโ€™s manager Sean Gibbons, who told Boxing News this week that a second fight against โ€˜Tankโ€™ Davis is likely only a matter of time as his fighter continues to develop a significant fanbase.

The 26-year-old must first dispatch his next opponent Jose Valenzuela, whom he faces Saturday at the 22,000 capacity BMO Stadium in Los Angeles โ€” the co-main feature to Terence Crawfordโ€™s return to the ring against Israil Madrimov atop the first Riyadh Season event in the United States.

โ€œItโ€™s a monster venue,โ€ Gibbons told us. โ€œWhen you come to LA, itโ€™s an extension of Mexico.โ€

Gibbons said Mexican fight fans turned out in droves to support Cruz in 2021 at the Staples Center when he became one of the few fighters to take โ€˜Tankโ€™ to a decision, losing by only a slim margin on the scorecards. โ€œItโ€™s Pitbull-mania out here,โ€ he said.

โ€œYou either have the โ€˜Itโ€™ factor, or you donโ€™t. And he does. And I believe our fight with Valenzuela will be the real main event.

โ€œItโ€™s the co-feature right now,โ€ Gibbons told us, โ€œbut thatโ€™s the Mexican Mike Tyson. Everything he throws is with bad intentions. And thatโ€™s the type of fighter people want to watch fight.โ€

Victory over Valenzuela, in a fight in which Gibbons sees their opponent bringing a similar Mexican style with plenty of heart, could catapult Cruz into that โ€˜Tankโ€™ rematch.

โ€œIn 2025 I see us getting that shot,โ€ said Gibbons.

gettyimages 2157780337
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 15: WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis (R) punches Frank Martin during a title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Davis retained his title with an eighth-round knockout. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

In recent fights, Davis has only increased his profile as, in his last five bouts, he’s beaten Cruz, Rolando Romero, Hector Luis Garcia, Ryan Garcia, and Frank Martin.

โ€œGervonta is doing his thing, and weโ€™re doing our thing,โ€ Gibbons told us.

Though there are five months left in the year, itโ€™s unlikely to happen in 2024, said Gibbons. Thatโ€™s because Tank is linked with a return to the ring later in the year against Shakur Stevenson, and Gibbons wants to box Cruz once again in December against a to-be-determined opponent.

But, after that, the pathway may be clear to secure a significant payday against Davis, one of boxingโ€™s faces.

โ€œI really hope in 2025 we can get together.โ€

Share Page