“We’re ready. We’re ready to move up to 147 and take on the challenge,” Cruz said.
He didn’t just talk. Cruz did his best work at 135 and 140, where his steady pressure, short combinations and body shots wore down opponents over time. Moving to 147 would mean he would naturally face bigger fighters, and most nights he would be the smaller man in the ring. Still, he made it clear that he was willing to go up.
There is also a comparison that helps his case. Cruz stopped Rolando “Rolly” Romero in the eighth round in March 2024 after gradually wearing him down. More than a year later, in May 2025, Romero dropped Garcia early and won a 12-round unanimous decision. Garcia showed little interest in trying to avenge that defeat.
It doesn’t settle every debate, but it gives Cruz a real argument when he calls for the fight at 147. He finished Romero inside the distance. Romero later beat Garcia over 12 rounds. Cruz is now offering to move up instead of asking Garcia to return to a lower division.
Cruz also pointed to the WBC route, saying his team will “keep working so that Mauricio Sulaimán can give us the opportunity to become champions under his organization.” As the interim WBC titleholder at 140, he is already tied to the organization, and Garcia now holds his full belt at 147.
If Garcia stays at welterweight, Cruz has already said he will follow. The weight issue has been removed from Cruz’s side, and the decision now rests with the champion.
