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Mexican Superstar Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz Returns To Defend
Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title Against Puerto Rican
Contender Nestor Bravo On Sept. 19
Mexican superstar and Interim WBC Super Lightweight Champion
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz will return to the ring and defend his
title against once-beaten Puerto Rican contender Nestor
Bravo in the 12-round main event streaming live on DAZN and
presented by Premier Boxing Champions on Saturday, September
19 from Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.
Plus, rising Mexican star and Interim WBC Middleweight
Champion Jesús “Mono” Ramos Jr. takes on unbeaten mandatory
challenger Meiirim Nursultanov in a high-stakes co-main
event showdown of action beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
One of Mexico’s biggest boxing stars, the former 140-pound
world champion Cruz will enter the ring for the first time
under the guidance of renowned trainer Eddy Reynoso. Cruz
will bring his signature all-action style to the ring in San
Diego for the first time against the upset-minded Bravo,
after drawing huge crowds across fights in Los Angeles, Las
Vegas and San Antonio.
The event is promoted by TGB Promotions.
“Mexican star Isaac ’Pitbull’ Cruz is an established
must-see attraction, and combined with the highly-touted
phenom Jesús Ramos Jr. competing on the card, Saturday,
September 19 shapes up to be a can’t miss fight for San
Diego’s passionate Mexican boxing fanbase,” said Tom Brown,
President of TGB Promotions. “These bouts on DAZN will
feature these two still ascendant stars in
highly-competitive matchups as the skilled and determined
Bravo and undefeated Nursultanov look to make their own
names on the big stage.”
“Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz is one of boxing’s most exciting and
recognizable stars, and his all-action style makes every
appearance must-see,” said Britton Hardin, Head of Boxing,
North America at DAZN. “His title defense against Nestor
Bravo promises an action-packed main event, while Jesús
Ramos Jr. faces a major test against an unbeaten mandatory
challenger in the co-main event. This is exactly the type of
competitive, high-stakes card that DAZN and Premier Boxing
Champions are committed to delivering to fight fans.”
**ISAAC CRUZ VS. NESTOR BRAVO**
After a hard-fought draw against Lamont Roach Jr. last
December, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz will look to thrill his
impassioned fanbase once again as he competes in the
12-round main event against the veteran Puerto Rican
contender Nestor Bravo.
Buoyed on by his adoring fans, Cruz (28-3-2, 18 KOs) became
a world champion in March 2024 as he hurt Rolly Romero badly
in round one before eventually ending the fight in round
eight via TKO to claim the WBA title. Prior to dropping
Roach on his way to the draw, Cruz bounced back from a loss
to Jose Valenzuela by out-slugging countryman Angel Fierro
in February 2025 before turning away Omar Salcido by
unanimous decision in July. A native of Mexico City, Cruz
shot up the rankings in 2020, announcing his presence with
an electrifying first-round knockout over veteran Diego
Magdaleno in October before adding dominant decisions over
Francisco Vargas and Jose Matias Romero. This rise led to
the 28-year-old challenging undefeated superstar Gervonta
Davis in December 2021, a fight that saw Cruz lose by
decision to become just the second fighter at the time to
see the final bell against Davis. Cruz also owns stoppage
wins over former champion Yuriorkis Gamboa and veteran
contender Eduardo Ramirez, in addition to a 12-round
decision over the then-unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera.
“I am extremely motivated to return to the ring on September
19,” said Cruz. “I know that Bravo is very hungry and hoping
to pull off the upset, but I also have a very clear goal, to
keep proving that I belong among the elite.”
The 32-year-old Bravo (24-1, 17 KOs) delivered a statement
victory and showed of his considerable power in his last
outing as he scored a sensational one-punch knockout over
Pedro Campa in January. The triumph was a bounce back effort
for Bravo, who had previously been on the wrong end of a
narrow split decision against Xolisani Ndongeni in March
2025. A native of Arecibo, Puerto Rico had racked up an
unbeaten record across 23 fights since turning pro in
February 2015, with considerable experience on U.S. cards
while on the rise. He’s shown his boxing acumen and
durability in a pair of 10-round unanimous decision
victories over veteran contenders Will Madera and Jose
Gallegos. In addition, Bravo was an accomplished Puerto
Rican amateur who owns a win over former world champion and
Olympic gold medalist Robson Concecaio.
“September 19 is gonna be a classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico
showdown,” said Bravo. “I’m very grateful to my team, and
everyone who made this incredible event possible. I’m facing
a tough, aggressive fighter who comes forward and likes to
engage. But I have all the skills and versatility to win by
any means necessary. We’re preparing the right way, and on
fight night Puerto Rico will have a new champion.
**JESUS RAMOS JR. VS. MEIIRIM NURSULTANOV**
Another Mexican star known for his all-action style, Jesús
“Mono” Ramos Jr. announced his presence at 160-pounds in
style last December with a bruising victory over Shane
Mosley Jr. that won him the interim title that he’ll defend
against the Kazakh power-puncher and unbeaten top-rated
challenger Meiirim Nursultanov.
Still just 25-years-old but already boasting a deep resume,
Ramos (24-1, 19 KOs) took home a unanimous decision over
Mosley last December to make it four-straight victories
after coming up on the wrong end of a contested decision
against top contender Erickson Lubin in September 2023. A
native of Casa Grande, Ariz., Ramos had worked his way up
the rankings by defeating a slew of contenders including
Brian Mendoza, Javier Molina, Vladimir Hernandez and an
emphatic stoppage of the then-unbeaten Joey Spencer. Trained
by his father Jesús Sr., and the nephew of veteran contender
Abel, Ramos entered the Lubin fighting having stopped seven
of his last 10 opponents.
“I’m super excited to be back in the ring and extra
motivated to defend my title for the first time,” said
Ramos. “I know my opponent has a lot of experience and has
been waiting for his opportunity. He’s a hungry and
dangerous fighter, so we’re expecting the best version of
him on September 19.”
Looking to follow in the footsteps of countryman and former
middleweight star Gennadiy Golovkin, Nursultanov (20-0, 11
KOs) will return to fight stateside for the first time since
2019 with an opportunity to catapult himself to the upper
echelon of the sport with a victory. Originally from Ayagoz,
Kazakhstan, Nursultanov now trains in Southern California as
he looks to be the next Eastern European star to come out
west and make his name inside the ring. The 32-year-old’s
last fight was his first going the 12-round distance, as he
won by a wide margin on the cards against then once-beaten
Julio Alamos. A pro since 2016, he’s also best veteran
contenders including Andrey Sirotkin, Marcelo Coceres and
the previously unbeaten Kazuto Takesako.
“This upcoming bout is a moment I’ve been eagerly waiting
for,” said Nursultanov. “Getting here took patience and
relentless effort. Enough talk; I’m fully dialed in and
ready to give my all. I’m bringing pure focus, intense drive
and a hunger for victory.”
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