Lamont Roach Takes Center Stage on December’s Pay-Per-View Card!

While his former rival Gervonta “Tank” Davis prepares to face Jake Paul in a widely publicized exhibition fight, Lamont Roach Jr. seems to be moving towards a more credible and meaningful assignment.

Roach, nicknamed “The Reaper,” had hoped for an immediate rematch with Davis, only to learn that Davis had chosen a very different path. The Davis-Paul exhibition has been officially set for November 14, and judging by Davis’s somewhat reserved attitude at Monday’s press conference, it’s becoming clear that he may have made a questionable decision.

Meanwhile, Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) has had to shelve plans for their tentative August 16 rematch and shift his focus to a promising bout with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz.

Cruz has emerged as a viable contender in recent weeks, with reports now suggesting the two are on course for a December showdown. According to respected boxing journalist Dan Rafael, their super-lightweight clash is likely to headline the final PBC pay-per-view event of 2025, scheduled for either December 6 or December 20.

On social media platform X, Rafael revealed: “Per sources involved, PBC planning Pitbull Cruz-Lamont Roach for Cruz’s WBC interim 140 title to headline its final PPV of the year — either Dec. 6 or Dec. 20. Site is TBA but preference is Texas, possibly elsewhere in the Southwest, though Las Vegas is unlikely.”

Cruz secured the WBC interim super-lightweight belt in July by outpointing Omar Salcido on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios undercard. He is perhaps best remembered for giving Davis arguably his toughest challenge — until Roach arguably made a stronger case as Davis’s toughest opponent.

Back in March, Roach came agonizingly close to a landmark victory over Davis, only for a controversial ninth round—where referee Steve Willis called a no-knockdown—to allow Davis to retain his WBA lightweight title. The bout ended in a highly disputed draw.

Despite this, Roach now seems poised to move up to super-lightweight in search of a significant win against Cruz. Should the fight be confirmed, it’s expected that Roach will relinquish his WBA lightweight title at 130 pounds.