WBC Calls Off Ryan Garcia vs Isaac Cruz Final Eliminator
Another highly intriguing fight involving Ryan “King Ry” Garcia (22-0, 18KOs) will not be happening. On May 10, the WBC ordered Garcia and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (23-2-1, 16KOs) to fight in a final title eliminator. Garcia, who’s ranked number two in the WBC standings, expressed extreme excitement at the news. He and Cruz, who’s ranked number three, had exchanged words on social media months prior.
After easily defeating the reluctant Emmanuel Tagoe on April 9, this fight with Cruz would’ve signaled just how serious Garcia is about fighting the best his division has to offer. Cruz, recently disposed of former world champion Yuriokis Gamboa in five rounds on April 16. Previously, he fought unbeaten WBA Regular 135-pound Gervonta Davis in a hard-fought twelve-round fight, losing a unanimous decision on December 5.
WHAT CALL THE FIGHT OFF?
In a statement put out by WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán, he stated that he wasn’t aware that both Garcia and Cruz had already had opponents for their next fights lined up before ordering the fight. The timing seems rather odd because, on May 16, Garcia took to social media to take shots at both Cruz and his manager, Sean Gibbons, whom he said disrespected him. And now the WBC is just now announcing three days later that the eliminator has been canceled.
The things we do know are that Garcia is set to return to the ring on July 16, where he will headline a DAZN card as part of the new deal Golden Boy recently signed with DAZN. What we don’t know is who will be his opponent. The status of what’s next for Cruz is unknown in terms of opponents and the date of his next fight.
Unfortunately, the fans will miss out on a fight that would have been exciting and a chance for both men to move closer to a world title shot. 3Kings Boxing will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
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By: Jerrell Fletcher
