Gervonta Davis has a new opponent for his pay-per-view fight on Dec. 5 in Los Angeles.
One of the sport’s fastest rising stars, who is No. 14 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, will face Isaac Cruz in a 12-round lightweight bout at Staples Center.
Cruz replaces Rolando Romero, who was pulled from the event because of sexual assault allegations.
Davis (25-0, 24 KOs) has stopped his last 16 opponents, including Mario Barrios in 11 rounds in a junior welterweight fight this past June.
Cruz (22-1-1, 15 KOs) also is on an impressive run. The aggressive Mexican is 17-0-1 since he suffered his only loss early in his career. He’s coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Francisco Vargas in June.
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“I respect Isaac Cruz for stepping up and taking the fight, but everyone knows what I do,” Davis said. “I come in looking for the knockout and that’s exactly what I’m going to do in this fight.
“I’m back in Los Angeles, where the stars shine, and I’m going to light it up against Isaac Cruz at Staples Center on December 5.’’
Cruz, who is only 23, is grateful for the opportunity.
“First, I want to thank Gervonta Davis and his team for this opportunity, an opportunity I won’t let get past me,’’ he said. “God willing I’ll be world champion on December 5. This fight is a very big motivation for me as a professional and as a personal goal. I’m sure after December 5 everyone in boxing will know the name Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.’’
Davis holds a secondary WBA 135-pound title. Teofimo Lopez is the sanctioning body’s lightweight champion.