Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz defends his WBC interim super lightweight title against the dangerous Lamont Roach at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
This will be Roach’s first fight at 140 pounds, surprisingly at yesterday’s weigh-in it was he who weighed the heaviest of the two fighters. Lamont weighed in at 139.6 pounds while Pitbull came in at 138.6, a full pound difference.
When asked about what he thought about Roach coming in heavier, Cruz said, “Nothing, nothing. I don’t have anything to think about that. That’s why I worked hard during training camp.”
Meaning he prepared for whatever version of Roach he fights tonight. Roach looked physically impressive at the new weight and will look to make a statement by seeking to do what not even Gervonta Davis was unable to do, and knock Pitbull out. He’s said he doesn’t want to leave it in the judges’ hands. Lamont ended the weigh-in by quoting a line from a Rocky movie, “If he dies, he dies.”
Roach is a technical counterpuncher who relies on his precision and timing, but against Pitbull, he may have to slug more than he’s accustomed to. An economical puncher whose volume could be overwhelmed by Cruz’s pressured aggression.
Lamont stated that he has 10 ways to win, and Cruz countered by stating he’s prepared for any strategy he may seek to employ. “I am prepared for a 12-round fight. I’m prepared for any type of fight,” said Pitbull. His dad and trainer, Isaac Cruz Sr., reiterated the statement, saying, “We are prepared for any weight, any style, any type of fight he wants to fight.” Pitbull has struggled in the past with boxers who use distance and box him at range, as did Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela. A close match, Cruz lost by split decision.
Valenzuela utilized lateral movement to minimize Pitbull’s offense. Strategically, it worked, limiting Cruz’s ability to land punches, as he struggled to get in range. Rayo outlanded Pitbull 171 to 118, respectively. For Roach to be effective with this approach, he would have to initiate the contact and wait to counter Cruz.
He would have to utilize his 4.5 reach advantage and put it to use by jabbing at range. It’ll help him thwart Isaac’s forward movement somewhat. It’ll take more than that to stop Pitbull, though. He is relentless and will place the pressure for the full 36 minutes of the match.
He’s going to be on top of Roach all night. If Roach isn’t effective in defending and neutralizing Isaac’s pressure, he’ll struggle to outpoint him. Lamont is also going to have to increase his output by using smart aggression while not staying in the pocket more than needed. Rolando
“Rolly” Romero struggled with Pitbull’s constant pressure, being unsuccessful in defending his punches. Isaac finished Rolly in 8 rounds. He’s going to test Roach’s chin, aiming to smother him with pressure.
Lamont has the technical advantage and will look to turn it into a boxing match, Pitbull will seek to make it a war and overwhelm him with punches, to do so he must be able to close the distance and land effective punches by being more measured and calculated as he did in his match against Giovanni Cabrera, whom he defeated by unanimous decision in 2023.
He must be more technically sound and not get as reckless as he did in his last two matches against Angel Fierro and Omar Salcido. If he does as he says and adapts to Roach’s style, he can earn the victory.
Last Updated on 12/06/2025
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