Rematch Likely After Controversial Draw

SAN ANTONIO — For the second straight time in a high-stakes fight, Lamont Roach Jr. walked out of the ring feeling robbed. Roach survived a third-round knockdown and willingly waded into the fire against Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, producing an entertaining, bruising 12-round battle Saturday night at Frost Bank Center. But instead of a career-defining victory, Roach was handed another controversial majority draw nine months after suffering the same fate in his disputed result against Gervonta Davis.

Judge Chris Tellez scored the bout 115–111 for Cruz, but he was overruled by Nathan Palmer and Cory Santos, who both had it 113–113, resulting in Roach’s second consecutive stalemate on the cards.

A devastated Roach (25-1-3, 10 KOs) voiced his frustration in the ring afterward.

“All I want is a fair shake, man. That’s it,” Roach said. “I thought I pulled that fight out, a close victory. This is some [expletive], man. I clearly thought I won.”

Cruz (28-3-2, 18 KOs), meanwhile, felt the point deduction against him in round seven cost him what he believed was a deserved win.

“I won this fight,” Cruz said. “The referee took this fight from me.”