144-lb Catchweight for Ryan Garcia-Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz Clash

Ryan Garcia vs. Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz is still up for grabs, with a potential 144-pound bout scheduled for May in Times Square in Manhattan, New York. It’s a Turkish Al Sheik doubleheader event, with Devin Hani battling former WBC and WBO light welterweight champion Jose Ramirez.

Garcia Cruz in 144 AD

Fighting at welterweight didn’t suit the short 5’4″ Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) because he was smaller, even when he fought at lightweight. It will be interesting to see that Pitbull has more power at 144. If he’s more dangerous at that weight than 140, Kingery (24-1, 20 KOs) could be in for a tough fight.

Turkey’s nightmare is for Garcia and Hani to win their battle of words on the same night and come off the back of humiliating defeats in a rematch in October. Ryan has a lot of pride and at least he can resist fighting Haney without trying to avenge the injury to Cruz by fighting him in October. It’s Turkey’s choice if he still wants Garcia and Hani to fight on a losing streak.

Haney’s opponent, 2012 US Olympian Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs), may have a lot of talent going for him. This is a guy who would have been hard to beat even before Devin Ryan was beaten last April, but once he’s beaten, he’ll be vulnerable against a puncher like Ramirez.

Honey face Ramirez

When Hani agreed to fight Ramirez, he may have thought he had another Regis Prograis. However, Ramirez is a much better fighter than Prograis, and the tactics Honey used against Regis—constant grappling, grappling, and movement—wouldn’t work as well against the seasoned Ramirez. In his amateur and professional career, he has often faced those types of fighters.

Update: The talks have continued. #Garcia CruzThere is no economy compromise yet and weight can be gained at 144 lbs.

🎨 @JOESERRAT pic.twitter.com/IDjwHgpRVy

— Salvador Rodriguez (@ChavaESPN) January 19, 2025