Lamont Roach is once again the bigger man heading into a new weight class. The longtime WBA 130-lb champion came in more than three pounds heavier than Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz during the WBC’s required 14-day weight check for their December 6 junior welterweight clash. With Cruz’s WBC interim 140-lb title on the line, both fighters were obligated to submit weights at the 30-, 14-, and 7-day marks.
Roach weighed 148.2 lbs, while Cruz checked in at 145 lbs. Although both were reported as compliant, Roach officially exceeded the allowed threshold. WBC guidelines permit fighters to be no more than 5% above the limit - in this case, 147 lbs - meaning Roach registered 1.2 pounds over. There’s no formal penalty at this stage, but the data is used to monitor whether fighters are cutting weight safely as the bout approaches.
Watch Pitbull vs. Roach gloves off episode.
The next milestone arrives this weekend, with both men required to be within 3% of the junior welterweight limit - 145 lbs or less - before officially making 140 lbs at the final weigh-in next Friday. The fight marks official debut for Roach at 140 after spending over a decade at 130 and briefly moving to lightweight earlier this year.
Roach last competed in March, pushing Gervonta “Tank” Davis to a hard-fought majority draw despite giving up firepower but not physical dimensions. He now brings those natural size advantages into his meeting with Cruz, who stands just 5’4” and enters his fifth straight bout at junior welterweight.
Cruz arrives with momentum after two wins, including a unanimous decision over Angel Fierro and a dominant performance against Omar Salcido to claim the WBC interim belt. His initial run at 140 saw him knock out Rolando “Rolly” Romero to win the WBA title before a narrow loss to Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela in his first defense.
Image Credit: The Ring