Lamont Roach says he believes a win over Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz tonight will put him in the conversation to be included in the pound-for-pound top 10 list.
Roach believes that a win over WBC interim light welterweight champion Cruz (28-3-1, 18 KOs) would position him as a “front-runner” for one of the next “American stars.”
Turki factor in the game
It’s going to take a lot more than Cruz beating Roach (25-1, 10 KOs) to be included on the P4P roster unless Turki Alalshikh takes a shine to him and tells his Ring panel to agree to him. If he loves him, anything is possible.
“I want to be one of the best pound-for-pound. So, I think going to three straight weight classes and performing like I did, I think I can accomplish that,” Lamont Roach said. Fight Hub TV.
Rayo Valenzuela Shadow
It would seem a little odd that Roach is included on the pound-for-pound, but not Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela, who defeated Cruz last year in a 12-round split decision victory on August 3, 2024. He beat Pitbull, and he didn’t put him on any list. Instead, he faced Gary Antuanne Russell and promptly lost. This would be a nightmare matchup for Roach.
“At least I can get people to bring my name up for the P4P conversations that come up. ‘Oh, we might have to consider him wanting to crack the list.’ Not only that. This win here (Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz) sets me up for a lot of opportunities,” Roach said.
Reality Check Ahead
For Roach to have doors open for him to become the next American star, he will have to beat the true top men at 135 and 140, not just ‘Pitbull’ Cruz. Plus, he can only get so much mileage out of last March’s 12-round draw against Gervonta Davis. Roach really drove it into the ground, making a big deal out of a draw, making himself sound like a victim in every interview.
Roach must beat these fighters to become P4P worthy and a true American star:
- Andy Cruz
- Gary Antoine Russell
- Abdullah Mason
- Keyshawn Davis
- Richardson Hitchins
- Ernesto Mercado
- Floyd Schofield
- Subriel Mathias
- William Zepeda
- Hayato Tsutsumi
It is doubtful that Roach beats any of these fighters. After seeing his fights against Tank Davis, Hector Luis Garcia and Jamel Herring, he doesn’t have the tools to beat any of those fighters. Roach wants to fight Shakur Stevenson, and he might have a shot against him because he has no power.
Roach Running the Hustle Game
It would be a chess match between two arm punchers. As for the above list, Roach is unlikely to beat even one of them. You can’t blame him for the rushtrying to raise himself like a businessman, but he has not shown the ability to beat these types of fighters.
“Bigger names, champions in this weight class, champions at 135, because I have unfinished business there. If I win this fight, it will make my name a bigger name, put me as the frontrunner as one of the next American stars, and it opens the door for a lot more business,” says Roach.
Last updated on 12/06/2025
