Lamont Roach came from behind against Isaac “Bulldog” Cruz on Saturday but was denied victory again after judges ruled their interim WBC super lightweight title showdown in San Antonio a majority draw.
Commentators for the PBC Prime Video broadcast immediately called the result “controversial” and although Roach looked frustrated, it was familiar territory for the American boxer, who infamously defeated Gervonta “Tank” Davis in March.
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“I’ve proven I can fight anyone, even above my natural weight,” the 30-year-old fumed during his post-fight press conference at Frost Bank Center.
“I defeated a strong competitor, [but to be denied] Twice in a row? It’s crazy. I couldn’t stand up to my opponents and the judges. We have to do something about this. “
Roach landed 191 of 467 punches, more than Cruz (159 of 544 punches), and he was also more accurate. Roach outlasted Cruz in eight rounds, his jab was more active and he landed 48.8 percent of his power punches, according to Compubox.
Regardless, one judge scored the fight 115-111 in favor of Cruz, but was overruled by two cards of 113-113.
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“I thought I won, and I did beat him,” Roach said. “All I want is a level playing field, that’s all.”
Roach attended media events with ice on his right hand and said he felt the ice break in the fifth round. “I just remember when I came back to the corner [and telling them]”I think I broke my hand.” The next round, he stabbed me and I blocked it. It hurts. This is fucked up,” he said.
“I still kept throwing, there were openings, but my hands were really, really sore. I didn’t want to use that as an excuse and I used everything I had. For the most part, I avoided his punches. When I wanted to exchange, I won the exchange. I caught his punch and dodged his punch.
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“I don’t want this [injury] An excuse. I think I’ve won with one hand. “
Roach had to overcome a third-round knockdown to stay competitive in the fight before proving his victory in the final rounds. “I wasn’t hurt,” he said of the moment he lost his balance and the referee correctly ruled his glove made contact with the canvas.
“He just hit me with a nice shot. We exchanged words and I was at a disadvantage and I tripped,” Roach said. “My glove made contact with the ground, so it was officially a knockout.”
A former WBA champion from the super featherweight division, Roach had a great 2025 campaign but was frustrated in both fights, returning with draws against “Tank” Davis and Cruz, and that was it.
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For Roach, the injury will heal, but the feeling of being robbed twice may not.
“It was a fierce battle,” he said. “I think the best thing to do is an immediate rematch. I just hope it’s a level playing field.”