What’s Next For Lamont Roach?

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Dec 9, 2025 11:58 PM ET

Lamont Roach Jr. secured a second consecutive majority draw when he faced Isaac Cruz, raising questions over his next steps.

The judges’ scores were 115-111 for Cruz, countered by two scores of 113-113, preventing both fighters of a definitive victory. Roach came into the bout with a chip on his shoulder from the controversial majority draw he suffered against Gervonta Davis back in March. In that fight, Roach was believed to have earned the decision, with many arguing the referee should have scored a knockdown when Davis voluntarily took a knee in the ninth round. Had the knockdown been correctly ruled, Roach would have secured a victory. The statistics in the Cruz fight also showed that Roach was the better boxer, landing 191 punches compared to Cruz’s 159. Roach also landed 21 more jabs.

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The most immediate bout is a rematch against Cruz. Roach showed tremendous grit to overcome the first knockdown of his career in the third round and outlanded Cruz in total punches. At the post-fight press conference, both fighters expressed an immediate willingness to run it back. Given that both fighters are aligned with PBC, this rematch would be easy to arrange.

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Roach could pursue the winner of the Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson title fight. Roach confirmed that Shakur was willing to face him if the Lopez fight did not happen. However, Stevenson will now face Lopez on January 31. If Stevenson wins, then that could set up a defense against Roach. But that also depends on Shakur not moving up to 147 after he had ‘verbally’ agreed to face Conor Benn if he beat Teo.

Roach could look to face other top contenders at 135 pounds to position himself for a more lucrative matchup against Frank Martin. Martin also made his debut at 140 on the Cruz-Roach card, stopping Rances Barthelemy. That was the perfect response to his first loss which came against Gervonta Davis. Since Martin has also faced Tank, he knows what it takes to headline on a big stage.

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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