Robert Garcia: I Think Pitbull Cruz Could Beat Devin Haney

Mostly unknown in the public eye, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz burst onto the scene after a positive performance against Gervonta Davis in December 2021. On the night, despite being a major underdog and a relatively late replacement for Rolando “Rolly” Romero, Cruz stepped into the spotlight against Davis and put in a good performance.

Forced to go the distance for the first time in more than half a decade, Davis (27-0, 25 KOs) wiped the sweat from his brow as he received a close but clear unanimous decision win. Since then, Cruz (24-2-1, 17 KOs) has done everything in his power to lure Davis back into the ring. After his recent performance, a second-round blowout of journeyman Eduardo Ramirez, Cruz quickly turned his attention to Davis.

If, by any chance, the powerful southpaw chooses to go another direction, Cruz has shown a willingness to take on undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney. Although there appears to be no indication that the two will meet anytime soon, should the pair come to terms and meet in the center of the ring, Robert Garcia believes Cruz’s physicality and brute strength could be too much.

“I think so, I think so,” Garcia told 210BoxingTv when asked if Cruz could defeat Haney. “I don’t think he can stop it with his power. I don’t think he has that crazy power to stop it, so I think Pitbull Cruz could beat Haney.”

Currently, while Haney would apparently love to prove Garcia wrong, the 23-year-old apparently has a bigger fish to fry.

A confident Haney strolled through George Kambosos Jr.’s hometown on June 5 and soundly defeated the Australian native by unanimous decision. Although he admitted that Haney bested him, a sulky Kambosos enacted his immediate rematch clause, forcing Haney into an early sequel to take place on October 16.

If he succeeds once again, Haney could find himself standing in front of Vasiliy Lomachenko’s ring — provided, of course, that he defeats Jamaine Ortiz on October 29.

Despite Haney’s packed schedule, Cruz, having won the interim WBC crown, has positioned himself perfectly for a shot at the undisputed champion. Regardless, Garcia has showered Haney with profuse praise over the years. Still, even with the renowned trainer singing his praises, he maintains that Haney would meet his demise against the tough, tough up-and-coming contender.

“Pitbull is like a street fighter. He takes a really good punch, he’s very strong and very aggressive. He throws punches from all sides. It’s going to be hard for Devin Haney to stop him. It’s going to be a tough 12 rounds for him.” Haney.”