Cruz and Roach Battle to Draw in San Antonio, Cruz Retains Interim Title
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A controversial, non-unanimous draw preserved Isaac Cruz’s reign as WBC Interim super lightweight champion after a hard-fought battle against Lamont Roach in San Antonio, Texas, on December 7, 2025. The bout, while thrilling, left many in the audience believing Roach had done enough to secure the victory.
A Contested Clash of Styles
The fight unfolded as many predicted: a relentless attacking strategy from Cruz met with the calculated counter-punching of Roach. In the third round, a powerful left hook from Cruz sent Roach stumbling backward, resulting in the first knockdown of his professional career. “It was a significant moment,” one ringside observer noted, “Roach has never been down before.”
Despite the early setback, Roach began to find his rhythm around the sixth round, landing increasingly effective shots. The momentum shifted further in the seventh when Cruz was penalized a point for repeatedly using his head and driving downward on Roach’s head. Roach capitalized on this, landing “pinpoint strikes” in the ninth round, according to reports.
Late Rounds and a Disputed Decision
Cruz’s corner urged “Pittbull” to increase his aggression, but their efforts yielded limited results. A hard left hand landed on Cruz late in the round, momentarily turning the tide. The eleventh and twelfth rounds proved exceptionally close, making scoring a challenge for the judges.
The final scorecards reflected the fight’s contentious nature: 115-111 in favor of Cruz, and two cards scoring the bout 113-113, resulting in a draw. While the decision wasn’t unanimous, the prevailing sentiment among the crowd favored Cruz, fueled by his constant forward pressure. Despite the draw, Isaac Cruz retains the WBC Interim super lightweight title.
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