The process of selecting the Boxing Addict of the Month for March was difficult.
A case can be made for the resurgent Anthony Joshua, who restored order in the heavyweight division by knocking out the man who gave Tyson Fury hell, Francis Ngannou. However, let’s face it: Ngannou is not a formidable opponent.
Sebastian Fundora took advantage of Tim Tszyu’s gruesome cut to his hairline by outpointing the 154-pound titleholder to win by decision and win his first world championship. However, Tszyu, blinded by blood, is the fighter we know him to be.
And even Gilberto Ramirez deserves a mention. “Zurdo” easily outpointed the larger Arsen Goulamirian to become the first Mexican to win a 200-pound major title.
ISAAC CRUZ STOP ROLLY ROMERO‼️‼️‼️#Boxing
🔥🔥🥊🥊🥊pic.twitter.com/IBKYsBy18k– Danny (@dantheboxingman) March 31, 2024
But there is one fighter who stands above the three champions mentioned above: Isaac Cruz, our monthly title pick.
“Pitbull’s” performance against then-reigning 140-pound champion Rolando Romero felt more like a coronation than a competitive fight, as the Mexican, who once gave Gervonta Davis everything what he could handle, overwhelmed Romero with relentless pressure, throwing punches almost at will and eventually scoring a knockout round eight.
Romero (15-2, 13 KOs) tried to keep Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) at bay by catching him with hard incoming shots and moving out of the danger zone but he couldn’t do it. that consistently, that sealed the now former champion’s unfortunate fate.
And remember: Cruz did it even when he was just debuting as an official 140-pounder, which adds even more significance to his accomplishment.
No one was shocked that Cruz raised his hand, thereby winning his first major title. He was favored to participate in the war. It was his complete domination of a title holder that made other welterweights take notice: A little monster was in their midst.
Is Cruz a threat to division kings Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez or even Subriel Matias? That remains to be seen. Cruz’s teammates are significantly better all-around fighters than Romero.
We know two things: One, Cruz pushed the talented Davis harder than anyone else, even though “Tank” fought with an injured hand. That performance is remarkable. And second, the new belt holder can’t make a stronger statement than he did on Saturday.
The 25-year-old from Mexico City has style, strength and tenacity – can he get hurt? – to cause trouble for anyone. He could be his country’s next great warrior.
