Paulie Malignaggi: “I’m very on the fence about this fight”
WBA super-lightweight champion Rolando Romero (15-1, 13KOs) is set to clash with the hard-hitting Mexican star Isaac Cruz (25-2-1, 17KOs) this Saturday in a co-main event in Las Vegas.
Despite being the champion, ‘Rolly’ looks the underdog heading into the matchup. Cruz is coming off the back of three straight wins since being handed his second career loss by Gervonta Davis in 2021.
Former WBA welterweight world champion, Paulie Malignaggi, looked back at ‘Pitbull’s’ 2021 defeat as we edge closer to his second title charge.
“Gervonta Davis is a very underrated boxer. If you notice Gervonta Davis when he fought Pitbull started going back to his boxing ‘cause he couldn’t stop the forward pressure of Cruz. He was able to beat him on a decision in a fight where he had to work, but also got to show some of his underrated boxing skills,” Malignaggi stated on ProBoxTV
Looking ahead to the fight at hand, the boxer-turned-pundit feels that Cruz will bring his suffocating style into the ring against Romero.
“Cruz is gonna continue to bring that pressure, he’s consistent, he brings smart pressure, he brings pressure that feels like it’s suffocating you. I don’t know if Romero has the boxing ability to hold him off by just boxing, so there’s gonna be moments where they’re going to have to trade.
“Romero also is so awkward that he hits you with stuff you don’t really see coming. He can throw you off in that regard.”
Despite the betting odds, Malignaggi predicts a far closer fight than what many are expecting.
“But again, the consistent pressure against the awkward power. I don’t know man, I’m wondering if Cruz can take this kind of firepower, because ultimately Gervonta’s a power puncher, but Gervonta was still an ex-130-pounder just like Cruz. Romero’s big man. I’m very on the fence about this fight.”
The super-lightweight showdown will headline alongside Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora on a loaded card broadcast by Triller TV to the UK audience.