isaac pitbull cruz vs nestor bravo

DAZN Saturday Night Fights! Pitbull Cruz vs. Bravo WBC Pechanga Card Preview

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 Prediction Record: 136-36-9, 7-4 in major bouts

 San Diego, CA (September 19th, 2026)– DAZN Premier Boxing Champions, and Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California, will present an exciting nine-bout card of Saturday night fights, featuring two World Boxing Council world title bouts, on Saturday night, September 19, 2026.

 The popular Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, 28-3-2 with 18 knockouts, Mexico City, Mexico, is predicted to retain his World Boxing Council interim Super Lightweight title by 12-round unanimous decision over Nestor Bravo, 24-1 with 17 knockouts, Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

 Cruz has gone the 12-round distance with Gervonta Davis in a war, and has beaten such notables as Rolando Romero and Yuriorkis Gamboa. Bravo knocked out 37-4-1 Pedro Campa in the second round at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in his last bout.

 Odds favor Bravo to win at 700 to -750. Cruz likes to mix it inside and turn every bout into a brutal inside war with relentless pressure give-and-take. His power in both hands means trouble for any opponent. However, Bravo has a five inches height advantage at 5’9″ and seven inches of reach advantage. In a true technical war waged from the outside, Bravo could outpoint Cruz. Cruz is like a Rocky Marciano with a solid chin at the lower weights.  Pitbull has to get inside and wage war, as always, as is his reputation. Quality body shots should wear Bravo down and could stop him in the later rounds.

 As Sebastian ‘The Towering Inferno’ Fundora proved at 6′ 5 1/2″ with an 80-inch reach against Keith Thurman’s 5′ 8 1/2″ and 69 inches of reach, Fundora scored an easy, impressive stoppage despite the hype. If Bravo can use his height and reach attributes to his advantage, it will be his fight to win versus Cruz, and it is possible if this classic game plan works and he can keep Pitbull from getting inside. Marciano overcame height and reach disadvantages because he had no choice, same as Cruz in every bout he fights.

 In the preliminary bout to the main event, super middleweight Daniel ‘Iceman’ Blancas is predicted to win by unanimous decision over 10 rounds against Sergio Jimenez. Blancas, 15-0, is 25 years old. Jimenez, 39 years old with a padded record, in a similar bout to Blancas, went 10 rounds with 32-1 Deon Nicholson in 2024, but won only one round on one scorecard.

 In what was the middleweight co-main event, 24-1 southpaw Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr., who holds the World Boxing Council World Middleweight interim title, had his scheduled title defense against 20-0 Meiirim Nursultanov of Kazakhstan scratched at the weigh-in as Ramos took ill, was taken to the hospital in San Diego, and later released. The bout will be rescheduled.

DAZN Pechanga Arena San Diego Robert Brizel Undercard Bouts Predictions

 Lazaro Lorenzana is predicted to win by stoppage over Marcos Rodriguez in a scheduled eight rounds super middleweight bout. Lorenzana is 21-0. Rodriguez, 21-2-1, got stopped twice by fighters with a combined record of 32-0 in 2024.

 Filipino Eumir Felix Marcial is predicted to win by eight rounds unanimous decision over Omar Ulises Huerta in a middleweight bout. Marcial, a 7-0 southpaw now fighting out of Las Vegas, has seven wins over fighters with winning records and 83 wins overall at the time he fought them. The 15-1-1 Huerta has beaten only one fighter with a winning record.

 6-0 Mexican middleweight prospect Marco Alonzo Verde Alvarez is predicted to win by eight rounds unanimous decision over 7-0 Canadian prospect Guillermo Amilicar Hernandez Saldana.

 5-0 Russian heavyweight prospect Valerii Tadtaev is predicted to win by knockout over 3-1 Juan Silva.

 8-0 unbeaten rising 19-year-old lightweight prospect Robert ‘El Pistolero’ Guerrero is predicted to win by stoppage over 4-7 Shawn Rall.

 8-1-1 super lightweight prospect Diego Luna is predicted to win by four-round unanimous decision over 4-4-2 Cuban veteran Renny Viamonte Mastrapa in the opening bout on the Pechanga card. Since turning pro in 2023, the Cuban Mastrapa is 1-4-2 in his last six pro bouts.

38452cb4 822d 47b0 a254 aceee1f703b7

Click HERE for PDF Version

Click HERE for Photos from Cris Esqueda/

Premier Boxing Champions

Click HERE For Weigh-In Replay

FIGHT NIGHT INFO

Doors Open at Pechanga Arena: 2:00 p.m. PT

First Fight: 2:30 p.m. PT

ISAAC “PITBULL” CRUZ VS. NESTOR BRAVO

FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

Mexican Superstar Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz Defends Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title Against Puerto Rican Contender Nestor Bravo This Saturday, September 19 Streaming Live on DAZN from Pechanga Arena in

San Diego & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

Click HERE for Photos from Cris Esqueda/

Premier Boxing Champions

Click HERE for Press Conference Replay Via the

Premier Boxing Champions YouTube Channel

SAN DIEGO – September 17, 2026 – Mexican superstar Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and once-beaten Puerto Rican contender Nestor Bravo went face to face at Thursday’s final press conference before they battle for Cruz’s Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title this Saturday, September 19, headlining live on DAZN from Pechanga Arena in San Diego and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

 

An action fighter who’s delivered numerous memorable battles throughout his career, Cruz puts his title on the line against the highly skilled 140-pound contender Bravo, with both reiterating at Thursday’s event that fans will get the firefight they’re hoping for on Saturday night.

 

The press conference also featured fighters competing in undercard bouts on DAZN, including Interim WBC Middleweight Champion Jesús “Mono” Ramos Jr. and unbeaten mandatory challenger Meiirim Nursultanov, who meet in a high-stakes co-main event.

 

Plus, rising super middleweight Daniel “Iceman” Blancas, who faces once-beaten Sergio Jimenez in a 10-round bout, and Mexican Olympic Silver Medalist Marco Verde and unbeaten Guillermo Hernandez, who face off in the opening bout of action beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

 

Tickets for the live event are available through AXS.com. The event is promoted by TGB Promotions.

 

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday in San Diego:

 

ISAAC “PITBULL” CRUZ

 

“This is another chapter in a great rivalry between two boxing rich nations. I guarantee we’re gonna put on a show and write another chapter in this rivalry.

 

“This is a new era for Pitbull Cruz. I can guarantee that the fans are going to get their money’s worth on Saturday night.

 

“This fight means a lot to me. This fight can be something that pushed my career forward. I have to win to go on and face the big names.

 

“My mind is fully focused on Nestor Bravo. That’s the only thing I’m thinking of. I want the fans to be the biggest winner of the night.

 

“I think I showed the division in my last fight that I’m not just a guy who comes forward. I proved them wrong against Lamont Roach. Now I’m here to prove even more.

 

“Bravo is a strong opponent, but I’m ready for anything. Whether it’s the first second or the final bell. I’ll be ready. We want to fight at the level that this Mexican Independence Month deserves.”

 

NESTOR BRAVO

 

“Saturday night you’re gonna see what Nestor Bravo is about. If you don’t know me, then you’re gonna know me for sure after Saturday night.

 

“I’m truly blessed to be honest. This is the type of fight that every boxer dreams of. I’ve been knocking on a lot of doors and I’m gonna take advantage of this moment.

 

“You saw what happened when the real Nestor Bravo was back in the ring in January. I’m healthy and at my best.

 

“Pitbull is a real world champion. I know what he brings to the table. But we’ve been preparing for everything. I’m going to be the best version of myself. I promise this fight is gonna be one of the best fights between Mexico and Puerto Rico.”

 

JESUS RAMOS JR.

 

“I’m just happy and blessed to be here and back in the ring. Come Saturday night, I’m gonna put on a show.

 

“I feel way stronger at middleweight. I’m enjoying those few extra pounds. I feel strong and I can’t wait until Saturday.

 

“Carlos Adames is in my way of those big fights and I have to get him out of the way. First I have to get Nursultanov out of the way.

 

“Nursultanov is brave for taking this fight off of a layoff. I’m not the same fighter I was three years ago. I’m gonna show him that it’s not that easy on Saturday night.”

 

MEIIRIM NURSULTANOV

 

“I’m ready. I’m going to show everything in the ring on Saturday night. I’m going to make the most of this opportunity.

 

“I’ve been preparing and waiting for this opportunity for years. I don’t care about the layoff. I’m ready and I’m hungry. I’m going to show what the Kazakh boxing school means.

 

“My team and I work great together and we have a plan that we’re going to execute. Then we’re gonna go right to Carlos Adames.”

 

DANIEL BLANCAS

 

“More than anything I want to say that it’s a big honor to be on this stage with these amazing fighters. I’m excited to show the team what I’ve been working on with Jose Benavidez Sr.

 

“Me and team Benavidez have worked together for years and grown together and I can’t wait to show what we’ve done in camp. We’ve been working a lot on power punching and sitting down on our punches.

 

“I know I’m going up against a tough fighter. I never underestimate a fighter. I train for every fight like it’s game seven.”

 

MARCO VERDE

 

“I’m glad to have this opportunity and I’m going to show everyone that I’m extremely ready for this fight on Saturday night.

 

“I’m really thankful for the way that my career has developed so far. The transition to the pros was complicated, but that amateur experience helped me a lot. I’ve been able to mature and grow.

 

“We’re both unbeaten and we’re both well prepared. You don’t want to miss this fight.”

 

GUILLERMO HERNANDEZ

 

“I’m very thankful to Verde for taking this fight. This is just another fight for me. I’m ready to do what I do. I’m going to fight with my heart and may the best man win.

 

“Nobody has wanted to give me an opportunity to fight. But I always had faith that this day would come. Right now I feel like I’m living a dream, but this is my time to show everyone what I can do.

 

“Anybody can be beat. No disrespect to Verde, but it only takes one second to find my opening. I can stop him if my timing is right. “

 

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions

 

“It’s great to be back here in San Diego. This is an incredible fight town and we have a great card from top to bottom. Saturday is gonna be an unforgettable night of boxing.

 

“’Pitbull’ is a fan-favorite and is always in exciting fights. He’s a destructive fighter. But Nestor Bravo carries his pride of Puerto Rico every time he steps into the ring and also has a real fan-friendly style. National pride is on the line in this Mexico vs. Puerto Rico showdown.

 

“Mexican rising star Jesus Ramos Jr. will put his title on the line in the co-main event against the unbeaten Meiirim Nursultanov. Ramos is stepping up and doing the job of a champion by taking on the number-one-ranked mandatory challenger. Also, the WBC just sent us a letter saying that world champion Carlos Adames has to face the winner of this fight next, so there is a lot on the line in this one.

 

“Daniel Blancas is also a top contender looking to make a big statement to head into 2027 and shoot for a world title led by Jose Benavidez Sr., who’s one of his trainers.. And in our opening fight I’m really excited about 2024 Olympic Silver medalist Marco Verde, the first Mexican to win a silver in forty years. He’s got a great team behind him as well with Eddy Reynoso. Both of these guys have really tough opposition that will look to give these two rising stars real tests on Saturday night.”


ABOUT PITBULL VS. BRAVO

Pitbull vs. Bravo will see Mexican superstar and Interim WBC Super Lightweight Champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz return to the ring and defend his title against once-beaten Puerto Rican contender Nestor Bravo in the 12-round main event streaming live on DAZN and presented by Premier Boxing Champions on Saturday, September 19 from Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.

 

Plus, rising Mexican star and Interim WBC Middleweight Champion Jesús “Mono” Ramos Jr. takes on unbeaten mandatory challenger Meiirim Nursultanov in the high-stakes co-main event.

Share
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].