ISAAC Cruz’s assignment against super-lightweight contender Angel Fierro this Saturday should, for however long it lasts, deliver a high-octane dustup between two Mexican warriors.
The pair will collide at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, with Cruz, 26-3-1 (18 KOs), looking to return to the win column on the undercard of David Benavidez vs David Morrell.
In his last outing against Jose Valenzuela, ‘Pitbull’ found himself in familiar territory – as the shorter fighter – but ultimately struggled to nullify his opponent’s jab, rarely finding a moment of success at long range.
A similar story unfolded when he locked horns with Giovanni Cabrera back in 2023, only, on that occasion, he was the one who claimed a somewhat contentious split decision.
Either way, while remaining convinced that he had done enough to retain his WBA strap against Valenzuela, Cruz has shown his limitations on more than one occasion.
That, however, takes nothing away from the fact that he is a certified handful for any operator in and around his division.
Like with many pressure fighters, what you see is what you get: a living embodiment of relentless aggression and sheer doggedness which, when harnessed in the correct way, can often be the key to success.
For Cruz, this is the approach he will take every time he steps into the ring. Is it predictable? In some ways, yes – but that is not to say every opponent can find an answer to it.
If anything, the fact that his style is so transparent – and yet, still, nearly every opponent falls victim to his pressure – just goes to show how formidable the 26-year-old really is.
As for his next opponent, there is very little to suggest that Fierro, 23-2-2 (18 KOs), will reach into the same box of tricks that Valenzuela and Cabrera found ample inspiration from.
Rather, the 26-year-old is likely to trade with Cruz, making for a far more thrilling but perhaps less advisable type of fight, particularly when considering Fierro’s lack of experience at world level.
What is more, the unproven contender has secured just one victory since his defeat to Alfredo Santiago who, in fairness, can be a tricky customer for any fighter on his day, having lost only to Devin Haney and Ricardo Nunez.
In any case, though, Fierro’s toughness should make for an explosive affair, before Cruz overwhelms and potentially even stops his fellow countryman for the first time in his career.
