Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz will return on September 19 against Puerto Rico’s Nestor Bravo in a 140-pound bout. The Mexican star will defend his interim WBC light welterweight title in his latest appearance.
The Ring’s Mike Coppinger reported the matchup through Inside Ring Show. The fight is expected to headline a PBC on DAZN card, with San Diego and Arizona under consideration as host sites.
Cruz (28-3-2, 18 KOs) is coming off a draw against Lamont Roach Jr. and will make his first appearance since beginning work with trainer Eddy Reynoso. The former WBA champion is looking to strengthen his position in the crowded 140-pound division.
Bravo, 32, has been a professional for 11 years but has faced only one widely recognized opponent during that stretch. He lost a 10-round split decision to Xolisani Ndongeni in 2025 before rebounding with a victory over veteran Pedro Campa last January. Despite receiving an interim WBC light welterweight title shot, Bravo is not ranked in the top 15 by the WBC, WBA, WBO, or IBF at 140 pounds.
With Dalton Smith holding the full WBC light welterweight title, Cruz’s best option is to remain active while waiting for his opportunity to challenge for the title.
The matchup is unlikely to generate the same excitement as a fight against one of the division’s leading contenders. With Cruz coming off a draw against Roach, a fight against someone like Ernesto Mercado would have presented a much bigger challenge and created far more interest. On the other hand, Cruz’s team may prefer a lower-risk opponent while he continues adjusting to Reynoso before pursuing bigger fights later in the division.
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Last Updated on 2026/08/04 at 1:17 AM
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