Real Return of Ryan Garcia vs. Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz: Tougher Than Haney and the Real Ultimate Tune-up?

 

Ryan Garcia is gearing up for a massive comeback this May, and he’s not taking the easy road. In his return fight, Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) will face former WBA 140-lb champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) at Times Square in Manhattan, New York. According to Ryan, this matchup is “tougher than Haney,” and he might have a point.

Let’s break it down. Cruz, standing at just 5’4″, might lack height, but he makes up for it with his explosive power, aggression, and relentless pressure. Sound familiar? That’s because Cruz has the same physical dimensions and fighting style as Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, the only fighter to defeat Garcia so far. If Ryan can’t find a way to stop Pitbull, things could get ugly. Cruz isn’t the type to back down, and we’ve seen him push elite fighters to their limits.

Remember when Pitbull went toe-to-toe with Tank Davis in 2021? Despite losing by unanimous decision, Cruz gave Tank one of the toughest fights of his career. Davis couldn’t hurt him with his best shots and had to switch to boxing just to secure the win. That’s the kind of grit Cruz brings to the ring, and Ryan will need to be at his absolute best to survive, let alone win.

Adding to the stakes, Garcia’s return comes after a 13-month layoff and a one-year suspension. This fight isn’t just about shaking off the ring rust—it’s a career-defining moment. Both fighters will share the spotlight in a massive doubleheader event organized by Turki Al-Sheikh.

But that’s not all. Devin Haney will also make his return on the same card, taking on former WBC/WBO light welterweight champion Jose Ramirez. Haney hasn’t fought since his loss to Garcia last year at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. With both Garcia and Haney looking to make statements, this event promises fireworks.

So, what do you think? Is Pitbull really a tougher challenge than Haney? Will Garcia rise to the occasion or crumble under the pressure? Let us know your thoughts below, and don’t forget to catch all the action on Powcast!