ProBox CEO Garry Jonas came out swinging for Lamont Roach Jr., the fighter he co-promotes with Lamont Roach Sr.’s NoXcuse Promotions, after Roach walked into San Antonio on December 6, took the crowd’s heat full in the face, and still pushed Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz to a controversial majority draw.
Roach wasn’t supposed to survive that setup. Ten thousand Cruz fans roaring against him at the Frost Bank Center. First fight up at 140. Dropped in the third. And worse – his right hand went halfway through the night. But he boxed on, fought clever, fought gritty, and refused to disappear.
One judge somehow had it 115-111 for Cruz, but two cards of 113-113 saved the night from turning into a farce. Most people watching – including seasoned heads – had Roach edging it.
Jonas Didn’t Hold Back
“We are very proud of Lamont. It was a tremendous fight and, of course, we felt he won,” Jonas said.
“A draw in Texas in front of a huge pro-Mexican crowd validates how well Lamont fought. What’s even more impressive is that Lamont fought the last half of the fight with one hand. He broke his right hand halfway through and showed tremendous heart.”
And the numbers back him. Roach out-landed Cruz 191 to 159, landing 41 percent overall to Cruz’s 29 percent. He touched Cruz in eight of the twelve rounds, split two, and only lost two clearly. For a man fighting with one working hand, that’s criminal toughness.
Broken Hand, No Quick Return, And A Few Names On the List
“We got the X-ray done and it’s confirmed his hand is broken,” Jonas added.
“So first, Lamont will have to let that heal properly, which means no short turn around for him. We still have a rematch clause with Tank (Gervonta Davis), but there’s a lot of uncertainty there. We want the fight if he’s willing and able. We’re also happy to look at a rematch with Pitbull in DC. Lamont has gone into two hostile environments in a row and got two draws. He deserves to fight in front of his fans next time. We are going to do whatever it takes to make that happen when he comes back from injury.”
Roach has marched into two lion’s dens back-to-back and came out without a loss. One-handed or not, he made Cruz look frustrated, short, and hittable far more often than the Alamo crowd expected.
When he heals, someone’s getting a very ugly night. Whether it’s Tank, Pitbull again, or whoever else thinks Roach is easy work – they better watch the tapes. He fought half a fight with one good hand and still looked the sharper man.
Roach need his rematch at home now 💪 He earned it going into enemy places twice! Let him fight in DC so we see who really better.
True that! Ain’t fair to keep sending him on road trips just to get robbed again. Give that man some respect finally.
DC crowd gonna lift him up for real 🙌 Bet Cruz wouldn’t look so confident there!
People talking like Cruz destroyed him but man got outboxed by someone with ONE HAND 😂 That ain’t dominance, that’s surviving barely from getting exposed!
‘Course they wasn’t gonna let Roach win in Texas against a Mexican fighter 😤. It’s all about money and fans, not fairness anymore in boxing.
If you fighting with one hand and still landing more punches then you the better fighter no matter what the judges say.
‘Specially when them punches are accurate too! Roach didn’t just swing wild, he was landing good shots most of the fight.
I think people just like Cruz ‘cause he aggressive but that don’t mean he winning rounds. Roach was smarter and cleaner with his shots even when hurt.
They always robbin’ fighters who ain’t the fan favorite 😡. Roach was better all night, even with one hand! Cruz only looked good for a few rounds.
Exactly! People act like cheering makes punches count more. The stats don’t lie and Roach landed way more. This should’ve been his win!
Y’all right 💯! They gave Cruz a gift just ‘cause he had the crowd on his side. That’s not how judging should work in boxing.
I don’t care what nobody says, Roach won that fight. You don’t outland somebody and still get a draw. That ain’t fair. Just shows boxing judges are messed up.