Roach Plans Shakur Stevenson Fight After Pitbull Cruz Win

Lamont Roach says that after he beats WBC interim mild welterweight champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz on December sixth, he needs to combat 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 Middle in San Antonio, Texas.

Lamont towered over the 5’4′ Cruz throughout Wednesday’s press convention, trying like a legit 140-pounder somewhat than a fighter who holds down the WBA tremendous featherweight title. Roach is transferring up from 135 from his final combat 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 received the talents to indicate y’all what I can do. And I did it in opposition to everybody’s favourite fighter,” stated Lamont Roach to the media, dredging up the previous about his final combat 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 combat with Tank Davis as a substitute 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 combat with a faraway look in his eyes, he resembled somebody with Put up-Traumatic Embitterment Dysfunction (PTED). They simply can’t let go, nonetheless attempting to make sense of what occurred to them. Roach appears caught in that one occasion.

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

After rewatching the combat, I consider Tank Davis was the winner. He landed the cleaner, tougher photographs all through it. Roach consistently 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 measurement. After rehydrating, he had the dimensions benefit over Davis.

Cruz Seen as Stepping Stone

Roach is treating his combat 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 wish to combat him at 140. I feel that’s a combat that occurs at 135,” stated Roach about desirous to combat Shakur Stevenson after his bout in opposition to Teofimo Lopez. “All of it is dependent upon what’s accessible after I win this combat [Cruz].

Shakur has already stated that he’s fascinated about preventing Roach after his title shot in opposition to WBO mild welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez in early 2026.

Roach isn’t ranked at 135, so it seems to be 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 would beat him and Roach. He’s not hustling for fights the way in which Shakur and Roach are doing.

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