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 he was the heavier 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 his thoughts on Roach coming in heavier, Cruz said, “Nothing, nothing. I don’t have anything to think about it. That’s why I worked hard during training camp.”
That means he’s been preparing for whatever version of Roach he’s fighting tonight. Roach looked physically impressive at the new weight and will look to make a statement by trying to do what not even Gervonta Davis could do, knocking out Pitbull. He said he didn’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 accuracy and timing, but against Pitbull he may have to hit more than he’s used to. An economical puncher whose volume can be overwhelmed by Cruz’s pressing aggression.
Lamont said he had 10 ways to win, and Cruz countered by saying he was prepared for any strategy he might want to use. “I’m prepared for a 12-round fight. I’m prepared for any type of fight,” Pitbull said. His father and trainer, Isaac Cruz Sr., echoed the statement, saying, “We’re 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 distance, just like Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela. Cruz lost a close match by split decision.
Valenzuela used 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 outscored Pitbull 171 to 118 respectively. For Roach to be effective with this approach, he will have to initiate the contact and wait to counter Cruz.
He will need to take advantage of his 4.5 reach advantage and use it by shooting from distance. This will help him somewhat stem Isaac’s forward motion. However, it will take more than that to stop Pitbull. He is relentless and will apply the pressure for the full 36 minutes of the game.
He’s going to be on top of Roach all night. If Roach is not effective at defending and neutralizing Isaac’s pressure, he will struggle to point him out. Lamont is also going to have to increase his output by using smart aggression while not staying in the pocket more than necessary. 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, with the goal of suffocating him with pressure.
Lamont has the technical advantage and will try to turn it into a boxing match, Pitbull will try to make it a war and overwhelm him with punches, in order to do that he needs to be able to close the distance and land effective punches by being more measured and calculated as in his match against Giovanni Cabrera, who he defeated by unanimous decision in 2023.
He needs to be more technically sound and not get as reckless as in his last two matches against Angel Fierro and Omar Salcido. If he does as he says and adapts to Roach’s style, he could earn the win.
Last updated on 12/06/2025
