Tim Bradley advises Lamont Roach not to face WBC interim 140-lb champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in the first six rounds this Saturday, December 6.
Cruz eats alive fighters who are alone forward
Bradley believes that Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) may have gained confidence that he can stand in the pocket and fight Roach after his recent fight against Gervonta Davis. Roach fought WBA lightweight champion Tank to a 12-round draw last March.
That fight planted some crazy ideas in Roach’s head, making him think he could walk fighters down with his arm punches. Doing that against Cruz is a bad idea because he’s a punching machine. He doesn’t start and stop like Tank.
This was the perfect situation for Roach as Tank is a pot shot fighter with a low punch output. Moreover, he is not the same fighter as when he was still motivated and hungry. He has lost a lot of his game in the past year.
Cruz (28-3-1, 18 KOs) vs. Roach will appear this Saturday on Amazon Prime Video PPV at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Lamont is allowed to jump ahead of contenders Jamaine Ortiz and Alberto Puello in the WBC’s rankings. If Roach had to fight those guys to earn a title shot against Cruz, he might come up short.
Bradley begs Him: Don’t be a statue
“Roach likes to fight. He likes to stand his ground. I would advise him not to stand directly in the pocket at the beginning because that’s where Pitbull Cruz is at his absolute best,” said Tim Bradley on his channelwho recommends that Lamont Roach avoid fighting Isaac ‘Pitbull Cruz early on Saturday.
Roach always goes to war against his opponents. Although he does have the three-foot step back movement, he always comes forward immediately afterwards to throw his short-arm punches. He doesn’t have much power, so many of his fights are over the 12-round distance. In Cruz’s loss to Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela last year in August 2024, he struggled with the movement he used.
Bradley’s ‘Rattlesnake’ analogy
“The first six rounds are going to be intense. I understand Roach’s mentality. ‘I could take Tank’s stuff.’ I know you could take Tank’s stuff, but you’re in there with a big rattlesnake. Roach is going to have to take, receive and dish out,” Bradley said.
Pitbull’s relentless pressure
Cruz does not return after six rounds. He continues to come forward, throwing a lot of shots and making it difficult for his opponents. Bradley might miss ‘Pitbull’ for someone else because he never stops attacking.
“In the first six rounds, Roach is going to have to get comfortable in that fire because the fire is coming,” Bradley said.
Last updated on 12/02/2025
