Isaac Cruz Runs Over Yuriorkis Gamboa in Five Quick Rounds
Lightweight contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (23-2-1, 16KOs) demolished former unified featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (30-5, 18KOs) in five rounds.
Gamboa is on his last leg in the sport, at the age of 40 years old. The former unified featherweight champion and 2004 Olympic gold medalist has fallen far from the top-level fighter he used to be. Furthermore, he has suffered three straight defeats and should possibly consider retirement.
Cruz was first introduced to the boxing public as a replacement fighter for Rolando Romero. The tough Mexican fighter took on WBA Regular champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Pitbull gave a good account of himself, pushing Davis to the limit in a tense unanimous decision loss. Ranked #4 WBC #11 IBF #14 WBA, Cruz is still considered a player in the lightweight division.
BOMBS AWAY EARLY
Pitbull came out like a bat out of hell and jumped on the former unified champion, landing wild, hard left and right hooks. Cruz was throwing for the fences as a wobbling Gamboa hung on for dear life.
In rounds two and three, despite trying to fight back, Gamboa hit the canvas off of back to back punishing left hooks flush on the chin. Cruz was telegraphing the punches but the delayed reflexes of the old former champion could not get out of way.
In round four, Gamboa had not recovered from the previous two rounds. After landing a good body shot, he was hit with a brutal left hook that caused his legs to go limp. It was only a matter of time before this fight was going to be over.
As predicted, in round five, after having the sweat knocked off his head, Gamboa was hit with another left and right hook combination that sent him against the ropes, lifeless. The referee finally stepped in and stopped the fight despite Gamboa’s protest.
Cruz’s stock is on the rise as the pro-Mexican crowd in Texas showed plenty of love for Pitbull.
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By: Garrisson Bland
