Boxing Match Preview: Isaac Cruz (28-3-1, 18 KOs) vs. Lamont Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs)

The super lightweight division ignites with a high-octane title clash as Mexican powerhouse Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (28-3-1, 18 KOs) defends his WBC interim belt against American technician Lamont “The Reaper” Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Cruz, the relentless 27-year-old from Los Mochis, enters as a fan favorite with his pressure-cooker style that pushed Gervonta Davis to the limit in 2021, but a controversial split decision loss to Jose Valenzuela in August 2024 cost him the WBA strap—prompting a two-fight rebound including a dominant unanimous decision over Omar Salcido Gamez in July to claim this interim crown. Roach, the 30-year-old D.C. native and current WBA super featherweight champion, steps up from 130 pounds for the first time since his disputed majority draw with Davis in March, where many believe he was robbed of a victory. With a decorated amateur pedigree (11 national titles, Golden Gloves) and slick counterpunching, Roach aims for a second divisional belt, but his 40% KO rate and untested chin at 140 raise stakes in this eliminator for full WBC honors. This 12-round war—headlining a stacked PBC card—links two of Davis’ toughest foes, promising fireworks as Cruz’s aggression meets Roach’s elusiveness, with the victor eyeing unification against Subriel Matias or a Tank rematch in 2026.

Venue Location

The gloves touch at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, at 1 AT&T Way. Opened in 2002 as the AT&T Center (renamed in 2023 after a sponsorship deal), this 18,418-seat multi-purpose arena—home to the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs—has hosted 12 major boxing events, including Errol Spence Jr.’s 2019 masterclass over Mikey Garcia and Jaime Munguia’s 2023 WBO super welterweight triumph. Anchored in the city’s east side near the Alamodome and Henry B. González Convention Center, it’s a transit hub via VIA Metropolitan Transit buses (Route 4 from downtown) or rideshares (Uber/Lyft zones at main gates)—parking in the attached garage costs $15-25 on event nights. Upgrades boast LED ring lighting, expanded VIP lounges with Spurs flair, and concessions like Tex-Mex brisket tacos ($12) and local craft beers amid a pro-Mexican atmosphere for Cruz. Expect a lively crowd of 12,000+ drawn by Texas boxing heritage; tickets via Ticketmaster start at $75 for upper bowl, with PPV $79.99 on Prime Video.

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. CT) for PPV main card; Cruz-Roach ring walks ~11:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. PT)

Broadcast: PBC PPV on Prime Video ($79.99, streams on Fire TV, Roku, etc.); free prelims on Prime Video at 6:00 p.m. ET. International: DAZN highlights; radio on SiriusXM Fight Nation (Ch. 93).

Injury Report

Both enter cleared after rigorous camps, with no active injuries per Thursday medicals and Friday weigh-ins (Cruz 139 lbs, Roach 135 lbs—Roach’s lighter frame reflects his super featherweight base, but he’s rehydrated fully). The October postponement was due to main eventer Sebastian Fundora’s hand injury, not these fighters—Cruz fought twice in 50 days earlier in 2025 without issue, while Roach’s 9-month layoff post-Davis draw was voluntary for recovery and weight acclimation. Minor hand swelling for Cruz after his July UD over Salcido Gamez (resolved by August); Roach tweaked a shoulder in September camp (cleared November). Standard rehydration expected, but peak sharpness confirmed—no restrictions.

Fighter	Status	Recent Injury History
Isaac Cruz	Cleared	Minor hand swelling (post-Salcido UD, Jul. 2025; resolved Aug. 2025)
Lamont Roach	Cleared	Shoulder tweak (Sep. 2025 camp; resolved Nov. 2025); no fight-related from Davis draw (Mar. 2025)

Fighter Matchups

Cruz’s orthodox aggression (5’4″, 63.5″ reach) overwhelms Roach’s taller frame (5’7″, 68″ reach), favoring inside brawls with body work. Cruz’s 64% KO rate edges Roach’s 40%, but Roach’s 59% defense absorbs less (3.2/min vs. Cruz’s 4.5)—key: closing distance vs. circling counters.

Striking: Pressure Power vs. Technical Volume
Cruz’s hooks/combos (52% accuracy) test Roach’s 48% defense, landing 150+ vs. Romero before TKO. Roach’s jabs (4.8 landed/min) exploit range, as vs. McCrory (TKO8). Edge: Cruz—if inside; Roach projects +30 strike lead at distance.

Movement & Defense: Forward March vs. Lateral Evasion
Cruz’s ring-cutting (1.5 clinch/round) vs. Roach’s footwork (59% slip rate). Cruz evaded 55% vs. Valenzuela; Roach countered 65% vs. Davis. Edge: Roach—height/reach frustrates rushes.

Cardio & Durability: Relentless Pace vs. Late Resilience
Cruz’s wars (avg. 7:45 time) vs. Roach’s decisions (60% wins, avg. 9:30). Cruz absorbed 180 vs. Davis; Roach took 160 vs. Conceição before rally. Edge: Roach—weight acclimation favors his tank in Texas heat.

Recent Form

Cruz is 2-0 in 2025 (one TKO, one UD): UD10 Omar Salcido Gamez (Jul. 19, MGM Grand, Las Vegas; 100-88, 99-89 x2, dropped foe Rd. 10 for interim WBC strap), UD10 Angel Fierro (Feb. 1, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas; 98-92, 97-93, 96-94, 1,410 punches thrown—2025 FOTY contender). Post-2024 SD loss to Valenzuela (Aug., WBA title), he’s rebounded with pressure dominance, going 3-0 overall since Romero TKO (Mar. 2024).

Roach is 0-0-1 in 2025 (majority draw vs. Davis, Mar. 1, Barclays Center, Brooklyn; 114-114 x2, 115-113 Davis—controversial, many scored Roach win via disputed no-knockdown Rd. 9). His last win: TKO8 Feargal McCrory (Jun. 28, 2024, Entertainment and Sports Arena, D.C.; WBA super feather defense). Streak: 7-0-1 since 2019 Herring UD loss, blending TKOs and decisions.

Last 5 Fights	Record	Key Win	Key Loss/Draw
Cruz	4-0-0	vs. Salcido Gamez (UD10, Jul. 2025)	N/A (Valenzuela SD, Aug. 2024)
Roach	4-0-1	vs. McCrory (TKO8, Jun. 2024)	Draw vs. Davis (MD12, Mar. 2025)

Series History

First meeting—no priors. Cruz’s super lightweight: 4-1 (3 KOs); Roach’s 140 debut. Common foe: Davis (Cruz SD loss 2021; Roach MD draw Mar. 2025—both pushed “Tank” hardest). Trends: Interim titles 8/10 to aggressors by decision.