Teddy Atlas backs Ryan Garcia over Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz, citing size and reach
Hall of Fame trainer Teddy Atlas says he would favour Ryan Garcia “in a big way” if the American meets Isaac Cruz, citing Garcia’s height, sharp long-range punches, and recent form.
Hall of Fame trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas has told his YouTube audience he would heavily favour Ryan Garcia if the American were to face Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz. Atlas pointed to Garcia’s height advantage, long-range punching and recent sharp form — notably Garcia’s WBC defence against Conor Benn — while acknowledging Cruz’s toughness and recent sixth-round knockout of Nestor Bravo.
Atlas: favour Garcia 'in a big way' if fight happens
Teddy Atlas told viewers on his YouTube channel that he would back Ryan Garcia by a clear margin if the matchup with Isaac Cruz materialised. Atlas said Garcia’s outside style and the precision of his right hand and left hook would create plenty of chances to catch Cruz, citing how Garcia stopped Conor Benn earlier this month. While praising Cruz’s chin and toughness, Atlas questioned whether Cruz’s smaller stature would be a decisive factor and concluded: “you gotta favour Garcia in a big way.” Boxing News reported Atlas’s comments.
Garcia rode momentum from stoppage win and earlier title win
The remarks come after a run of notable results for Garcia. Earlier this month, he successfully defended his WBC title, flooring Conor Benn with a right hand and stopping him in the second round. That defence followed Garcia’s unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios in February, when he dethroned Barrios. The source also recalls Garcia’s earlier second professional defeat: a points loss to Rolando Romero after completing a year-long doping ban. Boxing News said Garcia appears to be fighting with confidence as he targets another outing in 2026.
Cruz dangerous but smaller; recent KO keeps momentum
Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz arrives on the back of a sixth-round knockout of Nestor Bravo last weekend, a result noted by Boxing News. The Mexican is described as strong, tenacious, and with a good chin — attributes Atlas himself acknowledged — but the report notes that Cruz has campaigned at 140lbs for his last six fights and is naturally smaller than Garcia. That size differential underpins Atlas’s caution about Cruz’s prospects at the higher weight.
Potential fight remains hypothetical
The discussion in Atlas’s YouTube analysis and the Boxing News report treats a Garcia–Cruz meeting as a possible future matchup, not a confirmed fight. Atlas framed his comments conditionally — 'if Ryan Garcia ends up facing Isaac Cruz' — and the report does not state that the bout is scheduled or officially agreed. Boxing Ring News reports Atlas’s position as described by Boxing News, without additional confirmation of a fight date, venue, or contract.