Lamont Roach says as soon as he beats Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, he’s coming straight for Shakur Stevenson — and he desires it at 135

Lamont Roach says that after he beats WBC interim gentle welterweight champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz on December sixth, he desires to battle Shakur Stevenson at 140 or, extra ideally, 135.

Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) is assured that he’ll be victorious in opposition to Cruz (28-3-1, 18 KOs) of their headliner on the Frost Financial institution Heart in San Antonio, Texas.

Lamont towered over the 5’4′ Cruz throughout Wednesday’s press convention, trying like a legit 140-pounder slightly than a fighter who holds down the WBA tremendous featherweight title. Roach is transferring up from 135 from his final battle in opposition to Gervonta Davis on March 1.

Nonetheless Haunted by Tank

“Extra folks know me as a result of I fought Tank. However extra folks know me due to primarily what I did, not as a result of they are saying, ‘Take a look at him.’ It’s as a result of I’m on that platform and I obtained the abilities to point out y’all what I can do. And I did it in opposition to everybody’s favourite fighter,” mentioned Lamont Roach to the media, dredging up the previous about his final battle in opposition to Gervonta Davis.

Roach gave the impression of a chronically bitter particular person throughout Wednesday’s kickoff press convention, speaking about his final battle with Tank Davis as an alternative of specializing in his bout in entrance of him in opposition to ‘Pitbull’ Cruz on December sixth.

The best way Roach droned on in regards to the Tank battle with a faraway look in his eyes, he resembled somebody with Put up-Traumatic Embitterment Dysfunction (PTED). They simply can’t let go, nonetheless making an attempt to make sense of what occurred to them. Roach appears caught in that one occasion.

Lamont spent three or 4 minutes speaking about Gervonta slightly than Cruz. I rewatched the battle tonight to see why he’s so tormented in regards to the consequence.

After rewatching the battle, I imagine Tank Davis was the winner. He landed the cleaner, tougher pictures all through it. Roach continuously walked ahead, touchdown occasional punches with no energy behind them, after which utilizing the Shakur-esque three-step pullback when attacked. There was nothing in Roach’s efficiency for him to be so labored up about. The one factor he had going for him was his dimension. After rehydrating, he had the scale benefit over Davis.

Cruz Seen as Stepping Stone

Roach is treating his battle with Cruz as if the victory is already within the bag, and he’s already planning his subsequent match.

Roach’s Subsequent Transfer

“If he does, I’d prefer to battle him at 140. I feel that’s a battle that occurs at 135,” mentioned Roach about desirous to battle Shakur Stevenson after his bout in opposition to Teofimo Lopez. “All of it relies on what’s out there after I win this battle [Cruz].

Shakur has already mentioned that he’s fascinated by combating Roach after his title shot in opposition to WBO gentle welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez in early 2026.

Roach isn’t ranked at 135, so it appears like Stevenson will proceed to freeze his WBC light-weight title. It’s comprehensible, although, as a result of Shakur’s #1 contender for his WBC belt is Andy Cruz, and he’s a man that might beat him and Roach. He’s not hustling for fights the best way Shakur and Roach are doing.

Written by Nation Vegas, Boxing Analyst overlaying world title fights since 2013.