Isaac Cruz takes bite, belt from Rolando Romero

The Pitbull ate Saturday night in Las Vegas. Isaac Cruz shut up Rolando Romero with a dominant display at T-Mobile Arena to win the WBA Super Lightweight title. 

Cruz lived up to his nickname all fight before securing the TKO victory in the co-main event, silencing the mouthy Romero.

“I did my talking right here in the ring,” the young Mexican star said. “And I did this not just for me, but for everybody that is here at T-Mobile Arena. There’s going to be a Mexican champ at 140 pounds for a long time.”

Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) has won five fights in a row since losing to Gervonta Davis on Dec. 5, 2021. He has methodically redeemed himself since that loss. Isaac Cruz controlled the fight, as the stats proved. He landed 129 punches, easily more than Romero’s 85. His accuracy was also better, 36 percent to Romero’s 25 percent. 

Sebastian Fundora earns WBO, WBA titles

Sebastian Fundora, 25, ended Tim Tszyu’s undefeated streak in the headliner after Cruz’s victory. Via a split decision, Fundora earned the WBC and WBC 154-pound titles.

Tszyu started his professional career with 24 consecutive victories, but he’ll have to wait for his 25th victory. Although Tszyu won 116-112 on one judge’s card, the other two judges scored the fight 116-112 and 115-113, respectively, in Fundora’s favor.

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“We’ve been praying for this moment for a long time,” Fundora told the media afterward. “And I’m just happy that Tim Tszyu gave me the opportunity, and the opportunity became my dream come true.”

Fundora, a native of West Palm Beach, Fla. who now trains out of Coachella, Calif., improved to 21-1-1 with 13 knockouts.

The co-main event between Isaac Cruz and Romero was in Romero’s hometown. The Mexican Cruz, however, definitely made himself at home.

Isaac Cruz controlled from the start

“I’m very happy and humbled to win this title for my family and for Mexico,” said Cruz. “I was prepared for this. I wasn’t here to just fight. I was here to terminate him.”

Romero, 28, didn’t quite back up his trash talk against Cruz. At one point, it appeared as though Romero wouldn’t even make it to the second round. 

Cruz set the tone early with a devastating left hook in the first round. Romero’s knees buckled after that shot, and Cruz was in control the rest of the way. 

“We gave the fans a great fight,” Romero said. “Unfortunately, we came up short. I want to thank ‘Pitbull’ Cruz and all the fans that came out and made this a great event. I’ll be back.”