Gervonta “Tank” Davis will defend his WBA regular lightweight title against hard-hitting Isaac Cruz on Sunday, December 5th live on pay-per-view from Staples Center in Los Angeles. Cruz steps in to replace Rolando Romero [who was removed from the fight after allegations of sexual assault surfaced]. Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com. Davis’ third-straight pay-per-view headlining attraction will see him battle Cruz who has rightly earned the nickname “Pitbull’’ during his professional career. “This is going to be a tremendous fight on Showtime pay-per-view,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Isaac Cruz was ready for this big opportunity and I expect him to come ready to deliver the fight of his life. However, Gervonta Davis is a generational talent who’s only getting better. This fight is going to end in spectacular fashion on December 5th.”
The 23 year-old Cruz (22-1-1, 15 KOs) will be looking to rough up Davis and make him work overtime if he wants to come away with the win. A native of Mexico City, Cruz shot up the lightweight rankings in 2020, with a first-round knockout over veteran Diego Magdaleno in September. Cruz followed that up in 2021 by winning a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Matías Romero in March, and most recently defeating former 130-pound champion Francisco Vargas by decision in June. Since making his U.S. debut in December 2019, Cruz has gone unbeaten in his next four ring appearances.
“Kudos to Isaac Cruz for stepping in as a replacement opponent in a high-pressure, pay per view fight against one of the brightest stars in boxing in Gervonta Davis,’’ said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Cruz presents a different, and some would argue a more difficult challenge to Tank Davis. Cruz won’t back down and he’ll bring the fight to Davis from the opening bell. We’ve all seen Gervonta’s blend of superb boxing skills and explosive power, and we know what he’s capable of. It will be the irresistible force versus the immovable object, which means fireworks.’’
Davis (25-0, 24 KOs), star of the Mayweather Promotions stable, added another highlight-filled performance in June, as he stopped previously unbeaten Mario Barrios to capture a [secondary] 140-pound title. The Baltimore-native captured his lightweight championship with a 12th-round knockout of former champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in December 2019.
“I respect Isaac Cruz for stepping up and taking the fight, but everyone knows what I do,” said Davis. “I come in looking for the knockout and that’s exactly what I’m going to do in this fight. I’m back in Los Angeles where the stars shine and I’m going to light it up against Isaac Cruz at Staples Center on December 5th.’’
“First I want to thank Gervonta Davis and his team for this opportunity – an opportunity I won’t let get past me,’’ Cruz said. “God willing I’ll be world champion on December 5. This fight is a very big motivation for me as a professional and as a personal goal. I’m sure after December 5th everyone in boxing will know the name Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.’’
