The next major showdown in boxing is official. Reigning WBA junior lightweight champion Lamont Roach Jr. is moving up in weight to challenge Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz for the interim WBC junior welterweight title on December 6, 2025, live from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. The bout headlines a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) pay-per-view event on Prime Video.
A Battle Between Two Hungry Contenders
This matchup carries high stakes and serious intrigue. Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs), coming off a controversial draw against Gervonta “Tank” Davis in March, was originally lined up for a rematch before Davis shifted focus to a November exhibition with Jake Paul. Rather than wait, Roach seized the opportunity to move up to 140 pounds, chasing gold and recognition in a third consecutive weight class.
Cruz (28-3-1, 18 KOs), one of Mexico’s most explosive fighters, enters this fight on a 6-1 run since his narrow 2021 loss to Davis. His most recent victory came in July when he outpointed Omar Salcido to capture the vacant WBC junior welterweight belt, proving his relentless pressure and stamina remain elite.
What’s at Stake in San Antonio
For Roach, this fight represents a shot at making history as one of the rare active champions to pursue simultaneous dominance across divisions. For Cruz, it’s a chance to become Mexico’s next boxing superstar — a mantle eagerly awaited by fans since Canelo Alvarez’s loss to Terence Crawford earlier this year.
Sean Gibbons, Cruz’s manager, described the magnitude of the bout to ESPN:
“This is even bigger than the first ‘Tank’ fight because Mexico is looking for a new face of boxing after Canelo. We are hoping this fight launches Cruz into that conversation.”
Roach vs. Cruz — Styles and Storylines
This fight pits Cruz’s aggressive pressure against Roach’s sharp technical style. Roach’s adaptability and counterpunching could be key against Cruz’s inside attacks, while Cruz’s relentless body work and power combinations aim to overwhelm.
The contrast makes for a stylistic chess match — one expected to produce fireworks for San Antonio’s passionate boxing fans.
