MP Promotions produced another world champion in Mexican Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, making him the first-ever title holder outside of the Philippines to be under the promotional outfit owned by boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
The 45-year-old boxing icon said he’s proud to see Cruz become a champ under the MP banner, joining the likes of previous world champions such as Jerwin Ancajas, Mark Magsayo, Johnriel Casimero, and Rene Mark Cuarto.
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“So glad to see Mexican Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz rise to the occasion and become a world titleholder under our promotion,” said Pacquiao of the native of Hermosillo, Mexico, who has been with MP Promotions since 2019.
Cruz wrested the WBA super-lightweight crown on Sunday with an eighth-round technical knockout of American Rolando Romero at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
His record now stands at 26-2-1 (18 KOs), the most prominent loss of his career coming at the hands of undefeated Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in Dec. 2021 via unanimous decision for the WBA lightweight crown.
Photo: MP Promotions
“He (Cruz) is a testament to a true hardworking warrior, his boxing skills, power and speed are honed by years of his sacrifices in training and learning. MP Promotions is very proud of his accomplishment,” said Pacquiao, the former Philippine senator and only eighth-time world division champion.
MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons said Pacquiao and Cruz have a lot of things in common both as boxers and as family men.
“When they met, Sir Manny said this gentleman is so humble, he is a family man, and he loves spending time with his kids and wife. He doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t drink, he doesn’t do any bad habits similar to the senators, and both of them are great persons,” said Gibbons of Cruz.
A known international match maker, Gibbons said Cruz is the first fighter MP Promotions signed outside the Philippines and the first boxer from Mexico who it was able to successfully develop from becoming a world champion.
“Manny Pacquiao is very thrilled to promoting the newest face of Mexican boxing, Isaac Pitbull Cruz. When I showed him Isaac Cruz, he was thrilled, and he said this is the real guy. This guy has the hit, has the style, and he got everything,” he added.
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