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Isaac Cruz vs. Nestor Bravo Final Press Conference
Mexican superstar Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and once-beaten
Puerto Rican contender Nestor Bravo went face to face at
Thursday’s final press conference before they battle for
Cruz’s Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title this Saturday,
September 19 headlining live on DAZN from Pechanga Arena in
San Diego and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
An action fighter who’s delivered numerous memorable battles
throughout his career, Cruz puts his title on the line
against the highly-skilled 140-pound contender Bravo, with
both reiterating at Thursday’s event that fans Saturday
night will get the firefight they’re hoping for.
The press conference also featured fighters competing in
undercard bouts on DAZN, including Interim WBC Middleweight
Champion Jesús “Mono” Ramos Jr. and unbeaten mandatory
challenger Meiirim Nursultanov, who meet in a high-stakes
co-main event.
Plus, rising super middleweight Daniel “Iceman” Blancas, who
faces once-beaten Sergio Jimenez in a 10-round bout, and
Mexican Olympic Silver Medalist Marco Verde and unbeaten
Guillermo Hernandez, who face off in the opening bout of
action beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say
Thursday in San Diego:
ISAAC “PITBULL” CRUZ
“This is another chapter in a great rivalry between two
boxing rich nations. I guarantee we’re gonna put on a show
and write another chapter in this rivalry.
“This is a new era for Pitbull Cruz. I can guarantee that
the fans are going to get their money’s worth on Saturday
night.
“This fight means a lot to me. This fight can be something
that pushed my career forward. I have to win to go on and
face the big names.
“My mind is fully focused on Nestor Bravo. That’s the only
thing I’m thinking of. I want the fans to be the biggest
winner of the night.
“I think I showed the division in my last fight that I’m not
just a guy who comes forward. I proved them wrong against
Lamont Roach. Now I’m here to prove even more.
“Bravo is a strong opponent, but I’m ready for anything.
Whether it’s the first second or the final bell. I’ll be
ready. We want to fight at the level that this Mexican
Independence Month deserves.”
NESTOR BRAVO
“Saturday night you’re gonna see what Nestor Bravo is about.
If you don’t know me, then you’re gonna know me for sure
after Saturday night.
“I’m truly blessed to be honest. This is the type of fight
that every boxer dreams of. I’ve been knocking on a lot of
doors and I’m gonna take advantage of this moment.
“You saw what happened when the real Nestor Bravo was back
in the ring in January. I’m healthy and at my best.
“Pitbull is a real world champion. I know what he brings to
the table. But we’ve been preparing for everything. I’m
going to be the best version of myself. I promise this fight
is gonna be one of the best fights between Mexico and Puerto
Rico.”
JESUS RAMOS JR.
“I’m just happy and blessed to be here and back in the ring.
Come Saturday night, I’m gonna put on a show.
“I feel way stronger at middleweight. I’m enjoying those few
extra pounds. I feel strong and I can’t wait until Saturday.
“Carlos Adames is in my way of those big fights and I have
to get him out of the way. First I have to get Nursultanov
out of the way.
“Nursultanov is brave for taking this fight off of a layoff.
I’m not the same fighter I was three years ago. I’m gonna
show him that it’s not that easy on Saturday night.”
MEIIRIM NURSULTANOV
“I’m ready. I’m going to show everything in the ring on
Saturday night. I’m going to make the most of this
opportunity.
“I’ve been preparing and waiting for this opportunity for
years. I don’t care about the layoff. I’m ready and I’m
hungry. I’m going to show what the Kazakh boxing school
means.
“My team and I work great together and we have a plan that
we’re going to execute. Then we’re gonna go right to Carlos
Adames.”
DANIEL BLANCAS
“More than anything I want to say that it’s a big honor to
be on this stage with these amazing fighters. I’m excited to
show the team what I’ve been working on with Jose Benavidez
Sr.
“Me and team Benavidez have worked together for years and
grown together and I can’t wait to show what we’ve done in
camp. We’ve been working a lot on power punching and sitting
down on our punches.
“I know I’m going up against a tough fighter. I never
underestimate a fighter. I train for every fight like it’s
game seven.”
MARCO VERDE
“I’m glad to have this opportunity and I’m going to show
everyone that I’m extremely ready for this fight on Saturday
night.
“I’m really thankful for the way that my career has
developed so far. The transition to the pros was
complicated, but that amateur experience helped me a lot.
I’ve been able to mature and grow.
“We’re both unbeaten and we’re both well prepared. You don’t
want to miss this fight.”
GUILLERMO HERNANDEZ
“I’m very thankful to Verde for taking this fight. This is
just another fight for me. I’m ready to do what I do. I’m
going to fight with my heart and may the best man win.
“Nobody has wanted to give me an opportunity to fight. But I
always had faith that this day would come. Right now I feel
like I’m living a dream, but this is my time to show
everyone what I can do.
“Anybody can be beat. No disrespect to Verde, but it only
takes one second to find my opening. I can stop him if my
timing is right. “
TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
“It’s great to be back here in San Diego. This is an
incredible fight town and we have a great card from top to
bottom. Saturday is gonna be an unforgettable night of
boxing.
“’Pitbull’ is a fan-favorite and is always in exciting
fights. He’s a destructive fighter. But Nestor Bravo carries
his pride of Puerto Rico every time he steps into the ring
and also has a real fan-friendly style. National pride is on
the line in this Mexico vs. Puerto Rico showdown.
“Mexican rising star Jesus Ramos Jr. will put his title on
the line in the co-main event against the unbeaten Meiirim
Nursultanov. Ramos is stepping up and doing the job of a
champion by taking on the number one ranked mandatory
challenger. Also, the WBC just sent us a letter saying that
world champion Carlos Adames has to face the winner of this
fight next, so there is a lot on the line in this one.
“Daniel Blancas is also a top contender looking to make a
big statement to head into 2027 and shoot for a world title
led by Jose Benavidez Sr., who’s one of his trainers.. And
in our opening fight I’m really excited about 2024 Olympic
Silver medalist Marco Verde, the first Mexican to win a
silver in forty years. He’s got a great team behind him as
well with Eddy Reynoso. Both of these guys have really tough
opposition that will look to give these two rising stars
real tests on Saturday night.”
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