Cruz Retains WBC Interim Junior Welterweight Title in Majority Draw with Roach

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SAN ANTONIO — Lamont Roach Jr. and Isaac Cruz battled to a majority draw Saturday night at the Frost Bank Center, allowing Cruz to retain his WBC interim junior welterweight title while Roach recorded his second consecutive majority draw this year. One judge scored the fight 115-111 in favor of Cruz, while two judges had it 113-113, reflecting the closely contested bout. The fight began evenly, with Cruz securing a third-round knockdown that gave him an early advantage. However, Roach adjusted his strategy in the second half, seemingly taking control of the fight despite ultimately being unable to claim a victory.

“All I want is a fair shake, man. That’s it,” Roach said after the fight. “I think I pulled that fight out. ... I don’t know what I got to do. But we’re going to go back to the drawing board. I don’t accept this at all. I clearly thought I won a close fight, and I’m tired of this s---, man.”

Fighting out of Washington, D.C., Roach (25-1-3, 10 KOs) had previously faced a controversial majority draw against Gervonta “Tank” Davis in March. After missing the opportunity for a rematch, Roach moved up to 140 pounds to face Cruz (28-3-2, 18 KOs), the WBA super featherweight titleholder, who was stripped of his belt upon starting the fight with Cruz. Cruz came out aggressively, using looping punches to pressure Roach early. During Round 3, Cruz landed a left hand that caused Roach to touch the canvas, marking the first knockdown of Roach’s career. Despite this, Roach adapted to fight more strategically, using a catch-and-shoot approach and landing counterpunches that neutralized Cruz’s offensive surge. Cruz also faced a point deduction in Round 7 for excessive clinching, which brought the fight closer in the judges’ eyes.

Despite outlanding Cruz 191-159 over the course of the bout, Roach could not secure a win. Both fighters expressed interest in a rematch, with Cruz noting a preference for a different referee. “Absolutely,” Cruz said. “With a different referee, though, and without the referee being on his side. I won this fight, and the referee took this fight from me.” In the co-main event, O’Shaique Foster dominated Stephen Fulton to claim the WBC interim lightweight title by unanimous decision. Foster (24-3, 12 KOs) controlled the fight from the center of the ring, effectively keeping Fulton (23-2, 8 KOs) at bay with a sharp jab and accurate combinations. Judges scored the fight 117-111, 118-110, and 119-109.