DAZN has announced that San Diego’s Pechanga Arena will host a pair of WBC interim title fights on September 19th, with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz taking on Nestor Bravo in the main event and Jesus Ramos Jr facing Meiirim Nursultanov in the co-feature.
The 5’4” Cruz (28-3-2, 18 KO), now fighting under the tutelage of Eddy Reynoso, continues to ply his trade at 140 after moving up to brutalize Rolly Romero in 2024. His last two efforts have seen him dominate Omar Salcido and battle his way to an entertaining
draw with Lamont Roach Jr.
“I am extremely motivated to return to the ring on September 19,” Cruz said. “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.”
Puerto Rico’s Bravo (24-1, 17 KO) is closer to the former in the latter, being on the left side of Xolisani Ndongeni’s recent 2-6 run. He did bounce back by stopping Pedro Campa in January, but at least on paper, he doesn’t appear to pose much of a threat to the battle-tested Cruz.
“September 19 is gonna be a classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico showdown,” Bravo said. “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.”
Ramos (24-1, 19 KO) vs Nursultanov (20-0, 11 KO) may or may not be more competitive. “El Mono” has found a place for himself at 160, most recently beating Shane Mosley. Nursultanov has been the WBC mandatory challenger for as long as I can remember, but between Mauricio Sulaiman’s unwillingness to enforce deadlines and Carlos Adames’ will-he-won’t-he flirt-fest with super middleweight, he’ll have to settle for the participation trophy belt.
This will mark his first fight since 2023.
