Editor’s note: This article was originally published at DAZN.com.
With the confidence that came from facing Gervonta Davis in a losing effort back in December, Isaac Cruz is ready to get back on the winning track.
“Pitbull” is scheduled to face former titleholder Yuriorkis Gamboa in a 10-round 135-pound bout on the undercard of Saturday’s Errol Spence Jr.-Yordenis Ugas welterweight title-unification fight on pay-per-view.
The 23-year-old Mexican will be facing an experienced former Cuban Olympian, who will be looking for a victory that will catapult him once again into title contention.
“I will give my best to make it an entertaining fight,” Cruz said in an interview with DAZN News after finishing his training camp in Mexico City. “It’s up to Yuriorkis Gamboa if he comes out to fight or dance.
“We know that he is hardly going to present an aggressive fight, but we are preparing for any kind of fight that Gamboa can give us. Fighting, dancing, or any kind of trickery… we work for all scenarios.”
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Despite a 17-year age difference between the two, Cruz insisted that he is not overconfident and expects the best version of Gamboa to arrive.
“I expect a Yuriorkis with hunger, who will launch himself to recover his career,” Cruz said. “Let’s see if he really wants to continue [in boxing] or his time has passed because I’m in my moment, and I’m going to give my best. …
“I’m not going to give anything away to anyone. I’m going to give my best and conquer Dallas.”
But the goal does not end with a victory over Gamboa. Cruz said he would look for figures like Ryan Garcia, George Kambosos, Devin Haney and even Davis again after this fight.
“The result of the fight against Gervonta gave me a lot of confidence,” he said. “… That’s why I have no problem looking for Ryan again as long as they stop with the circus, as they wanted to do everything through social networks.
“They should get in touch with my company (Manny Pacquiao Promotions). and I have no problem facing any fighter.”