‘Pitbull’ Cruz-Nestor Bravo, Jesús Ramos-Meiirim Nursultanov fights announced
On Saturday, September 19, Interim WBC junior-welterweight champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz will return to defend his title against challenger Nestor Bravo, live on DAZN (8 pm ET/5 pm PT) from Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.
Cruz, 28-3-2 (18 KOs), and Bravo, 24-1 (17 KOs), will meet in the 12-round Premier Boxing Champions main event that also features Interim WBC middleweight champion Jesús “Mono” Ramos Jr., 24-1 (19 KOs), taking on mandatory challenger Meiirim Nursultanov, 20-0 (11 KOs), in the 12-round co-main.
Cruz, who won the interim WBC belt with a 10-round unanimous decision over late-sub opponent Omar Salcido in July, will be having his first fight under the guidance of new trainer Eddy Reynoso against the currently unranked Bravo.
The popular 28-year-old Cruz, from Mexico City, also held the WBA junior-welterweight title by defeating current WBA welterweight champ Rolando "Rolly" Romero via eighth-round TKO in March 2024, but lost it in his first defense by dropping a 12-round split decision to Jose “El Rayo” Valenzuela in August of the same year.
He was last seen fighting to a 12-round majority draw with Lamont Roach Jr. last December to retain his WBC belt.
“I am extremely motivated to return to the ring on September 19,” said Cruz. “I know that Bravo is very hungry and hoping to pull off the upset, but I also have a very clear goal, to keep proving that I belong among the elite.”
32-year-old Bravo, from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, rebounded from his first career loss, a 10-round split decision to South Africa’s Xolisani Ndongeni in March 2025, to score a one-punch second-round knockout over Pedro Campa in January. Prior to that, Bravo was unbeaten in 23 fights since turning pro in 2015.
“September 19 is gonna be a classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico showdown,” said Bravo. “I’m very grateful to my team, and everyone who made this incredible event possible. I’m facing a tough, aggressive fighter who comes forward and likes to engage. But I have all the skills and versatility to win by any means necessary. We’re preparing the right way, and on fight night Puerto Rico will have a new champion.”
25-year-old Jesús “Mono” Ramos Jnr, from Casa Grande, Arizona, won his Interim WBC belt via a 12-round unanimous decision over Shane Mosley Jnr last December. Before that he scored a number of impressive victories over fellow contenders including Brian Mendoza, Javier Molina, Vladimir Hernandez and then-unbeaten Joey Spencer.
“I’m super excited to be back in the ring and extra motivated to defend my title for the first time,” said Ramos. “I know my opponent has a lot of experience and has been waiting for his opportunity. He’s a hungry and dangerous fighter, so we’re expecting the best version of him on September 19.”
32-year-old WBC No. 1-ranked Nursultanov, from Ayagoz, Kazakhstan, and now training in Southern California, hasn’t fought since winning a wide 12-round unanimous decision over then once-beaten Julio Alamos in November 2023.
“This upcoming bout is a moment I’ve been eagerly waiting for,” said Nursultanov. “Getting here took patience and relentless effort. Enough talk; I’m fully dialed in and ready to give my all. I’m bringing pure focus, intense drive and a hunger for victory.”
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has publicly stated the winner of Ramos Jnr- Nursultanov will be ordered to face full WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames next.
