LOS ANGELES – Gervonta Davis was asked again during the post-match press conference about the possibility of a rematch with Isaac Cruz, who pushed Davis to his limits previously. take a decision close Sunday night at the Staples Center.
The first time he was asked, he said, “No.” The second time he seemed open to the idea… until he reversed course.
“If the fans want it…,” he said and then seemed to back away.
Cruz, speaking through an interpreter, said he was confused by Davis’ stance after the highly competitive match in which Cruz pressured Davis from start to finish.
“I can’t explain it,” said Cruz, who thought he deserved a hand up. “It’s crazy. How did I go from someone he didn’t know for £135 to someone he wanted to avoid at all costs for a rematch. It’s absolutely incredible.”
He and his promoter then make an excuse that Davis might not be interesting to meet the Mexican a second time.
Cruz was asked if there was anything about Davis that surprised him.
“That is our best achievement,” he replied. “The surprise is that I have never seen a Gervonta so passive, almost scared. We were able to get him out of his comfort zone. So I’m proud we were able to do that.”
Sean Gibbons, speaking for MP Promotion: “I think [Davis is] smartest guy in the room. He recognized who Isaac Cruz was. He tried to intimidate him several times, trying to intimidate him when weighing. And all Isaac Cruz did was fight harder and almost pushed him out of the ring.”
He added, sometimes capturing Davis’ defensive stance: “It’s got to be Gervonta Rigondeaux but we’re going with Davis for now.”
Cruz also said he believes he hurt Davis, saying, “Of course. You know how I know I hurt him? He was trying to grab me when he was injured. That is obvious.
And, in the end, Cruz also denied that Davis injured his arm in the sixth round.
“It seems like they have a lot of excuses right now,” he said. “I also battled bruised knuckles but I make no excuses. I fought the way I fought, he fought the way he fought.
“There shouldn’t be any excuses. That’s how the war went.”
What’s next for Cruz?
Cruz said he would fight anyone. Gibbons said the goal is to get another title as soon as possible.
“Basically, he’s still ranked across the board in the Top 10,” he said. “So anyone that we can put the effort back into fighting for a world title. We’ll talk to Al Haymon and PBC and see what’s next. ”
