Lamont Roach Jr. to challenge Isaac Cruz for 140-pound title

Lamont Roach Jr., the reigning WBA junior lightweight champion, is stepping up to the 140-pound weight class to take on Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz for the interim WBC junior welterweight title. The fight is set to take place on December 6 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio and will be featured on a PBC pay-per-view on Prime Video.

Roach, with a record of 25-1-2 and 10 KOs, made this decision after a proposed rematch with Gervonta “Tank” Davis fell through, leading Davis to face Jake Paul in an upcoming exhibition. Roach previously faced Davis in March, resulting in a controversial majority draw.

Rather than waiting for the outcome of the Paul-Davis fight, Roach is seizing the opportunity to compete in a new weight class and potentially secure his third consecutive victory. On the other side, Cruz, with a record of 28-3-1 and 18 KOs, sees this fight as a chance to become Mexico’s next boxing star.

In a statement to ESPN, Sean Gibbons, Cruz’s manager, highlighted the significance of this match for Cruz, emphasizing that Mexico is eager for a new boxing champion and star after Canelo’s recent loss. The team believes that a win for Cruz could propel him into the spotlight as Mexico’s new boxing sensation, perfect for future matches on Mexican Independence Day and Cinco De Mayo weekends.

This fight is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for both fighters, and fans are eager to see who will come out on top in this high-stakes battle for the interim WBC junior welterweight title.