Boxing legend Mike Tyson, known for his ferocious “Iron” Mike persona and devastating knockout power, has identified Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz as the only active boxer who truly reminds him of his own fighting style and presence. The endorsement from one of the sport’s most iconic figures offers significant praise for the Mexican super lightweight.
Tyson, who became the youngest heavyweight world champion in 1986 at just 20 years old by defeating Trevor Berbick in two rounds, highlighted Cruz’s physical attributes and aggressive approach as key factors in the comparison. “If I had to say someone, I would say Isaac Cruz,” Tyson told The Ring Magazine. “He’s short and stubby for his weight like I was, and he comes at you. Cruz reminds me the most of who I was. He comes at you with bad intentions.”
A shared blueprint for intimidation
Throughout his career, Tyson, standing 5ft 10in with a 71-inch reach, compensated for a lack of traditional heavyweight height with a compact, muscular frame and an intimidating aura that terrorized opponents. His professional record of 50 victories and 7 defeats, with an astonishing 44 knockouts, cemented his legacy as a force of nature.
Isaac Cruz, at 5ft 4in, employs a similar strategy, leveraging his smaller stature to his advantage. The 28-year-old adopts an aggressive boxing style, often taking on a crouched posture with a tight guard, relentlessly pressing forward. His professional record stands at 28 wins from 33 fights, including 18 knockouts, reflecting a similar “bad intentions” approach that Tyson describes.
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Cruz’s upcoming challenge
Cruz recently retained his WBC interim super lightweight title in his last outing on December 6th, drawing with Lamont Roach Jr, as reported by ESPN. His next challenge is already set, with a fight against Nestor Bravo scheduled for September 19th at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. Cruz will once again put his interim WBC super lightweight title on the line against Bravo, who holds an impressive record of 24 wins and just one loss, according to The Ring Magazine.
The comparison from Tyson is a powerful statement, especially given Cruz’s history of sharing the ring with elite talent, including a notable bout against Gervonta Davis in 2021. For a fighter like Cruz, receiving such an endorsement from a legend like Mike Tyson could serve as a significant boost to his profile and confidence as he continues to navigate the competitive super lightweight division.
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