Gervonta Davis vs. Isaac Cruz: Fight Prediction, Card, Odds, Expert Selection, Start Time, Preview, Showtime PPV

It’s very rare in boxing to add a replacement opponent to the main event of a paid card to make the game really more credible and (potentially) more competitive.

That’s the biggest story Gervonta “Tank” multiple-time Davis champion set to return on Sunday as he defends his Los Angeles lightweight WBA title at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Davis (25-0, 24 KOs) will return to 135 pounds against the tough Isaac Cruz (22-1-1, 15 KOs) in what is expected to be just a shot from a long-range opponent. Cruz, a 23-year-old who is aptly nicknamed “Pitbull,” was a replacement for Rolando “Rolly” Romero, who was released from the fight after being accused of many sexual assaults by an undefeated slugger.

Cruz’s curvy style can sometimes be as crude as a crude look with the naked eye, the Mexican is very effective at getting inside his opponents and unloading short power shots from various angles.

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“I’m very confident in whatever blow I throw,” Cruz said at a recent press conference on Thursday. “As the Mexican saying goes, ‘any way it goes.’ But I’m very comfortable with my skin and my style. I believe in what I can do on Sunday night.”

Cruz, who has been undefeated in his last 18 fights since his only defeat, losing an eight-round decision in 2016 against Luis Miguel Montano, had no problem figuring out what Sunday’s fight might be like.

“I guarantee a great fight, I guarantee excitement,” Cruz said. “It’s easy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. [Davis] he has never faced anyone who fights like me. My hunger and my desire to win is unparalleled. He’ll feel it on Sunday night. ‘

Although Davis has respected Cruz’s resume, he doesn’t think they are on the same level as the fighters. Davis has won three different weight classes in his last three fights, and they all ended up in the playoffs.

In 2020, Davis dropped from lightweight to his first world opponent in the multi-level champion Leo Santa Cruz, the PPV’s main test in a roughly 130-pound finish when Davis tightened up with a sixth-round knockout of the year. uppercut. Eight months later, Davis made his 140-pound debut and stopped Mario Barrios, who had not been beaten before, in a June thriller.

“He can say whatever he wants right now, but it’s different when you hit him in the face,” Davis said. “He has said that I have never faced anyone like him, but he has never faced anyone like me. He can say what he wants to build in the fight. “.

The version didn’t necessarily change the odds of betting, with Davis, who has just begun to gain a pound of pound worldwide, as high as his favorite at -1100. But there is no doubt that Cruz offers a much more dangerous challenge than the very crude Romero.

“Gervonta is a very strong fighter. I think he’s the best in the division, but he’s human and it’s impossible to win,” Cruz said. “My goal is to go down a notch and show myself.

“He’s not afraid of his speed. We’ve been training hard to deal with his speed. He has a strong uppercut, he throws a lot of punches but we’re prepared.

Davis added a second set of eyes to the training camp to prepare for Cruz, the respected Barry Hunter joined his team along with coach Calvin Ford. The two coaches said on Thursday that they need to be tough in the face of Cruz’s aggression and rude style, and Davis added that he knows how well Cruz will be hungry, that he has nothing to lose.

“I think fighting harder guys is harder than fighting guys who are taller than me,” Davis said. “You just have to be more discriminating with the help you render toward other people.

“I’ve been a footprint like Cruz before. I know he’s fully prepared and strong. I remember my back against the wall. He’s coming right now and coming with him, not just for himself, but for his family.”

Fighting card, odds

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook

• Gervonta Davis -1100 vs. Isaac Cruz +700, WBA “regular” lightweight title
• Sebastian Fundora -270 vs. Sergio Garcia +220, super welterweight
• Sergiy Derevyanchenko -400 vs. Carlos Adames +310, middleweight
• Luis Arias vs. Vaughn Alexander, super welterweight

Forecast

The more Cruz gets inside, hits Davis on the body and makes this the hardest fight he can, the greater his chances of pulling the trigger. Davis often being economical as a counter-puncher could open the door for Cruz volley to pass on the scoring cards.

That seems like a great plan on paper. The problem, of course, is Davis’ fist power. Baltimore have eliminated 96% of their opponents, and only the German Ivan Meraz made it to the distance in 2014 in a six-round match.

Cruz will have to show his next chin to reduce the distance with Davis ’advantage. Cruz often goes down the entrance, like a young Mike Tyson, which leaves Davis open to the deadliest finish: the uppercut on the left.

The best scenario would be for Cruz to be punished early for a late charge of Davis ’gas tank after slowing down with body shots. It’s a strategy that could have worked out against Davis four years ago, who was often the victim of a growing celebrity abuse, including the loss of 130-pound titles in 2017.

Davis says stopping drinking makes it possible to get an even higher level of fitness and attention, it’s too late for the victim to fall. Although Davis still has a number of legal issues outside of the ring, he has become a student of the game within himself and no longer cuts back on his preparations.

Hopefully Cruz will have a lot of fun in this fight, using his aggression to get the best out of Davis. This will eventually lead to his death as well, as Davis is the best of any scary fighter in today’s sport.

Choose: Davis via KO9