Cruz Stops Bravo in Six, Keeps Interim 140lb Title

Isaac Cruz retained his WBC interim light welterweight title in San Diego on Saturday night, stopping Nestor Bravo in the sixth round of a foul-filled contest at Pechanga Arena.

A left hook that decided everything

Bravo survived the follow-up barrage by grabbing Cruz whenever the Mexican moved within punching range. Referee Thomas Taylor warned Bravo repeatedly before deducting a point in the second round.

Cruz scored his second knockdown moments later when Bravo's legs betrayed him again. The challenger resorted to low blows in the third and threw Cruz to the canvas in the fourth, costing him another point.

Three knockdowns, one clear statement

Cruz swept the fifth round without an extra knockdown, Bravo having no reply to the relentless pressure. Cruz stepped forward and landed a clean left hook that dropped Bravo onto his backside. Bravo remained seated and showed no serious interest in beating the count.

The Mexican had scored three knockdowns and forced two point deductions from an opponent who spent most of the night trying to avoid the decisive blow. His record moved to 29-3-2 with 19 knockouts, marking his second successful defense of the belt he first claimed against Omar Salcido in July 2025.

"Hey Ryan, I am here. My next fight for you," Cruz told reporters afterwards, calling out Ryan Garcia. Cruz first earned global recognition by going the distance with Gervonta Davis in 2021 as a late replacement. A bout with the full WBC champion — whether Dalton Smith or Alberto Puello — now sits firmly on the horizon.