Ryan Garcia: “Isaac Cruz is a tougher matchup than Haney”

Ryan Garcia started early to hype his return fight against Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in May, saying he is a “tougher match than Haney.In this case, Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) could be right. Garcia speaks facts.

Harder than Haney?

Pitbull is going to be a much tougher fight for Ryan than Haney because this guy has a steel chin and he can punch. He won’t try to clinch and rush his way to victory like Haney tried.

Cruz took Gervonta Davis’ best shots and went the distance of 12 rounds in a losing effort on December 5, 2021. He was never hurt in that fight, losing a unanimous decision.

In Cruz’s eighth-round knockout win over Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero last year on March 30, he took a lot of heavy punches that would have knocked out many fighters, including Haney. In Cruz’s last fight, he was outboxed by Jose ‘Rayo Valenzuela, losing a 12-round split decision on August 3rd.

Cruz’s three losses

– Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela
– Gervonta Davis
– Luis Montano Alvarez

Ryan will fight former WBA light welterweight champion ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in a doubleheader at New York’s Times Square in May. The event will be shown on DAZN PPV. Haney will fight Jose Ramirez on the same card in his fight to set up the rematch with Ryan in October.

Haney was no match for Ryan in their fight on April 20 last year, and the only reason there is a planned rematch in October is Kingry’s failed PED test. For one-sided fights like Haney-Garcia, there are usually no rematches.

Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) has a good chin and will chase Ryan non-stop for the duration of the fight. Pitbull won’t try to clinch or jab incessantly like Haney did because he’s not that type of fighter. He entertains and does not bore the crowd.

Haney’s boring tactics

Haney’s two fights against George Kambosos Jr. and his clash against Regis Prograis was unwatchable because of all the holding he did. He did a lot of that against Ryan, significantly after he was dropped in the seventh. Interestingly, the referee, Harvey Dock, penalized Garcia for hitting on the break in the seventh period, but did not address all the holding that Haney did.

Ryan won the fight by scores of 112-112, 114-110 and 115-109.

I bring an explosive fight in my fight comeback

Pitbull has always been considered a tough opponent.

Tougher matchup than Haney tbh

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) January 17, 2025