Lamont Roach Jr. will close out 2025 in a high-stakes clash after his anticipated rematch with Gervonta Davis fell through. Instead of another meeting with “Tank,” who is tied up in a November exhibition against Jake Paul, Roach is heading toward a showdown with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz.
The fight is expected to headline PBC’s final pay-per-view of the year on either December 6 or December 20. While the venue has yet to be confirmed, Texas is the leading candidate, with other locations in the Southwest also under consideration.
Cruz, 27, claimed the WBC interim super-lightweight title in July with a points victory over Omar Salcido, following an earlier slugfest against Angel Fierro. Known for his relentless style, Cruz also pushed Davis to one of the toughest fights of his career in 2021.
For Roach this bout marks both a move up in weight and a response to unfinished business. His March draw with Davis was widely viewed as controversial, with a disputed ninth round arguably denying him a career-defining victory and the WBA lightweight crown outright. Now, the 30-year-old looks to settle that frustration by securing a major win at 140 pounds.
Should the fight go ahead, Roach will likely be stripped of his WBA title at 130 pounds, signaling his full commitment to competing among the super-lightweight elite.
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