Isaac Cruz vs Lamont Roach Jr. Preview December 6th, 2025
Former WBA Junior Welterweight Champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz of Mexico City will be putting his WBC Interim Junior Welterweight Belt on the line against Lamont Roach of Washington DC this Saturday, Dec. 6th. Cruz lost his WBA Crown in his first defence to fellow countryman Jose Valenzuela in August, 2024 via a split decision and then bounced back with a 10-round unanimous nod over Angel Fierro in February. He then downed Omar Gamez in July with a wide 10-round unanimous decision for his Interim Belt. Cruz originally won WBA Title in March, 2024 when he stopped Rolando Romero in the eighth round. Roach last saw action in March when he battled to a controversial 12-round draw with Gervonta Davis in a fight many believe he should have won. Saturday’s fight can be seen on Amazon Prime pay-per-view in most nations.
Cruz vs Roach Jr. Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Isaac Cruz +210
- Lamont Roach Jr -270
My Pick
The 27-year-old Cruz made a name for himself on the world stage in December, 2021 when he dropped an exciting 12-round unanimous decision to WBA Lightweight Champion Gervonta Davis. He bounced back from that defeat with a fifth-round stoppage of Yuriorkis Gamboa for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight Belt. He then stopped Eduardo Ramirez in the second round and beat Giovanni Cabrera by split decision for the WBC Silver and vacant WBO Latino Lightweight Titles. Cruz took the WBA World Title belt from Rolando Romero by stopping him in the eighth round in March, 2024 before losing it to Jose Valenzuela five months later. He rebounded from that setback with his decisions over Angel Fierro and Omar Gamez.
All of that activity brings Cruz’s current record to 28-3-1 with 18 Ko’s and he’s boxed 180 rounds since making his pro debut in 2015. Cruz is known for having pretty good power in his fists as 64.3 per cent of his wins have been by stoppage. He isn’t really regarded as a one-punch KO artist though and has gone the distance in nine of his last 13 fights. He measures 5-feet-4-inches tall with a 63.5-inch wingspan. Cruz moved up in weight to take on Rolando Romero and this is his fifth fight in the 140 lb junior welterweight division.
His his toughest opponents to date have been Fierro, Valenzuela, Davis, Romero and Gamboa as well as an aging Francisco Vargas and former world champ Diego Magdaleno, who he stopped in just 53 seconds in 2020. Cruz’s first pro defeat came at the hands of Luis Miguel Montano via an eight-round unanimous decision in February, 2016 while his lone draw was a six-round affair with Jose Capilla in 2017. Cruz has an aggressive non-stop punching style which makes him very dangerous as well as fan friendly.
Roach Jr. is 30 years old and has an impressive mark of 25-1-2 with 10 Ko’s and has boxed 184 rounds since making his pro debut in 2014. He stands 5-feet-7-inches tall with a 68-inch reach so has a three-inch edge in height on Cruz as well as 4.5-inches in reach. He isn’t a power puncher or KO artist by any means as just 40 per cent of his wins have been by stoppage and he’s gone the distance in seven of his past 10 bouts. Roach has been boxing since he was nine years old and had a fine amateur career with more than 100 victories, reportedly going 125-15.
He was named the most outstanding American boxer in 2013 by USA Boxing when he won the National Golden Gloves Title in the 132 lb division. He’s also a five-time Ringside World Champion, the 2011 National PAL Champion and a two-time Junior National Golden Gloves Champion. Since turning pro his best wins have been against Rene Alvarado, Jonathan Oquendo, Alberto Mercado, Rey Perez, Luis Hinojosa and Alejandro Valdez.
As a pro he’s also won the vacant WBC Youth Silver Super Featherweight Crown with the win over Valdez as well as the vacant WBO International, NABF, and WBO NABO Super Featherweight Belts. Roach Jr’s first draw was a 10-round affair with Orlando Cruz in April of 2018 for the vacant WBO International Title. His lone defeat came at the hands of Jamel Herring via a unanimous decision in November, 2019 in a shot at the WBO Super Featherweight Title.
Prediction…
Cruz has more power than Roach but Roach definitely has the better boxing skills. Roach is basically the betting favourite in this fight due to his fine performance against Gervonta Davis as it was quite a controversial decision. In addition, Roach has a significant height and reach advantage here. As usual, Cruz will need to work his way inside to let his hands go and make this a bit of a brawl while Roach should be more comfortable by keeping him at distance. Both boxers should have their moments but I think Roach Jr will do enough to edge it.
I think Roach’s superior boxing skills will decide it.
Play: Roach Jr. -270 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Isaac Cruz betting • Lamont Roach Jr. betting