Cruz vs Roach Predictions: They survived ‘Tank’, now they aim to thrive

Isaac Cruz puts his WBC interim super lightweight championship on the line this Saturday, December 6 against Lamont Roach. The bout emanates from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The card will air live on Prime Video PPV.

Read on for my Cruz vs Roach predictions.

Cruz vs Roach Odds

The champion Cruz is a 19/10 outsider to retain his interim title. Roach is favoured at 4/9 while the draw is available at 16/1. Cruz has one previous draw on his record while Roach has two. Not out of the question they add a fourth cumulative stalemate here.

Cruz vs Roach Fight Preview

Much of the perceptions of these two men have been coloured by their respective outings against Gervonta Davis. Cruz remains the only man to take ‘Tank’ the distance in a 12-round fight. Roach went one better, earning a draw against Davis in March.

The common thread for both is that fans and pundits called for Davis to rematch these men. Cruz pushed the unbeaten star all the way, dropping a close unanimous decision. Roach’s draw with ‘Tank’ should have been a win in the eyes of many. 

There is a hint of Grecian theatre about this fight taking place as Davis’ proposed exhibition with Jake Paul collapsed due to the fighter’s legal issues. A chance to emerge from the shadows while the darkness enshrouds their definitive rival.

Cruz has racked up some fine accomplishments since his 2021 loss to ‘Tank’. The infamous ‘Pitbull’ has retired Cuban great Yuriorkis Gamboa, knocked out Rolly Romero in eight rounds to capture the WBA super lightweight strap and beat Omar Salcido to pick up this WBC interim strap last time out.

The only reverse Cruz has suffered in the past four years was an upset defeat to Jose Valenzuela, when he lost his WBA championship. But he has rebounded with a brace of wins and the capturing of a belt. Now ‘Pitbull’ gets a chance on the big stage again.

Roach has spent much of 2025 campaigning for a rematch with Davis. He had been in negotiations for a well-deserved do-over when Gervonta announced his Netflix nonsense with ‘Problem Child’ Paul. Having been strung along for much of the year, Roach has a chance to end 2025 with a bang and a belt.

The Davis fight was an example of a draw doing more for a fighter than his wins. Roach needed a knockdown to edge past Hector Luis Garcia on a split decision to capture the WBA super featherweight belt. A stoppage victory over Feargal McCrory in his first defence was better work.

But a paucity of knockout wins or big names on his ledger, and a loss to Jamel Herring, had most pegging Roach to get turned over by ‘Tank’.

The fact that another set of judges might well have given Roach the win on the night has done wonders for the standing of ‘The Reaper’. He went toe-to-toe with a knockout puncher and did not yield. It was a star-making display no matter what the record says.

Roach will need another one here. Cruz is determined and dangerous. A boxer who has beaten reigning world champions and wiped out undefeated contenders. This match-up could be a 12-round war or a blink-and-miss-it shock. That is, after all, why we have the fights. 

Cruz vs Roach Full Card 

Isaac Cruz vs Lamont Roach

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Frank Martin vs Rances Barthelemy

Isaac Lucero vs Roberto Valenzuela Jr

Luis Reynaldo Nunez vs Hector Andres Sosa

Daniel Blancas vs William Townsel

Jordan Roach vs Bryan Santiago

Hugo Amador Mendez vs Nelson Hampton

Adrian Neaves vs Roberto Castro

Robert Guerrero vs Eduardo Tarango

Benjamin Johnson vs Josias Gonzalez

Erislandy Lara vs Johan Gonzalez

Cruz vs Roach Prediction

Both men love to come forward so centre-ring is going to be a hotly-contested battleground. If Roach gives way, he has the tools to counter-punch his way to the win. Cruz is unlikely to alter his approach no matter what Lamont does, which means I think he will get picked off for a Roach decision at 8/11.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.