Great talent but solely relies on his athletic ability but still an unreal talent. Been KOd a few times because he totally disregards a lot of fundamentals and keeps his hands way down and relies on his reflexes but otherwise has pantsed the best in the world for years. How does he do in the pro ranks if say he turned pro right now and didn't tweak his style to better fit the pro ranks and allow him to compete at the elite of LHW? Personally I think the best guys at LHW would time him and clip him when he hangs his chin out, but who knows. How does he do at the top of the division?
It's too late for him, La Cruz has been fighting in open competitions for more than 10 years at the highest level, he has been through 4 Olympic cycles including this one and has hundreds of fights (and thousands of rounds of sparring), the style that he uses is based a lot on reflexes and athleticism like you said despite his amazing skill and technical level. He is comfortable with his position in Cuba since he is the Captain of the Cuban team, he has a car and a salary and for that reason he believes that the promises of a shady promoter aren't enough for him to leave his family or Cuba. He is also past his prime probably, he was dropped by Joe Ward before being stopped by Cole (bs stoppage to be honest), so you better take a look at Robeisy Ramirez (double Olympic champion, 25 years old) and Johanys Argilagos (world champion, 22 years old), both of them are in USA planning to turn pro, Argilagos is training with Erislandy Lara and Ramirez is expecting to make his moves to turn pro during the next month.
Cruz probably lost to ward last time the fought, he is getting dropped semi regularly now. i think he has slowed down a Fraction headed toward 30 and its really taken it toll
Welcome Robeisy Ramírez himself told me that he already signed with a promoter but I don't which one.
Hey man thats really cool you have connections like that. I cant wait for Ramirez to turn pro, absolutely love him as a fighter and definitely think he is a world champ and force for a long time. I havent seen anything on the other guy you mentioned so Im gonna go check him out now. Seriously, thanks for sharing youre knowledge here its greatly appreciated.
I fixed you're thread title for you. Its such a pity he never turned pro, I was really looking forward to seeing him school guys for 7 or 8 rounds, then gas and be brutally KO'd repeatedly.
Unique talent. Seen him live and it's even more impressive. Whether its a bad chin or its his constant off balance movement but he's been dropped a few times now.
