By Mohamed Horomtallah: Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz is not a patriot. He does not represent Mexico. His recent knockout victory against his compatriot Eduardo Ramírez must be dismissed as a betrayal. Plain and simple.
A Mexican fighter should not fight other Mexican fighters. Since Isaac Cruz apparently didn’t get the memo, he should sit down with Canelo Alvarez as soon as possible to learn how a true patriot should act.
The Mexican superstar was adamant and felt justified when she said that she represented Mexico and therefore would not face another Mexican.
Canelo wants us to believe that he is doing it out of respect for his country. I am sorry I disagree.
Respect in the sport of boxing was given to Mexico for its historical warriors and legendary rivalries.
Who can forget the epic battles between Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Erik Morales and Israel Vasquez vs. Rafael Márquez or, if we go further, Carlos Zárate vs. Alfonso Zamora?
Those warriors brought glory to Mexican boxing by facing each other.
Canelo made a huge (dare I say stupid?) mistake, and even if the mainstream media aka old media didn’t call him out either due to personal agenda or fear of losing access, we the fans . know what is really going on.
Canelo, for reasons known only to him, thought he had found a clever, airtight excuse to avoid dangerous fighters. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to find out.
It’s not uncommon for marketable fighters to avoid opponents, but they usually come up with something like “not a big name” or “brings nothing to the table” etc.
In Canelo’s case, he is trying to avoid the types of fighters he sees as a threat to his status.
The excuse of patriotism comes in handy when the likes of Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and especially David Benavidez stand in his way. Why face other aggressive and powerful Mexican boxers?
Then there are the highly skilled, skilled boxers he labels “horrible fighters,” like Demetrius Andrade and now Dmitry Bivol.
Canelo has the right not to take certain fights, but he should at least have the decency not to insult our intelligence.
Pitbull Cruz represents Mexico very well, and is open to taking on tough challenges just like the Mexican greats before him, starting with Canelo’s former promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, who fought every big name and every style to throughout his career.
As for Canelo, the walls are closing in: he needs a big name in his next two fights after Golovkin to stay relevant.
