Former unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr has become a familiar face at ringside in recent weeks and last night offered his verdict on the main event at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio between Isaac Cruz and Lamont Roach Jr.
The Dallas native was also in the building for Vergil Ortiz Jr’s rout of Erickson Lubin last month –– a far more conclusive ending than Isaac Cruz vs. Lamont Roach Jr, which finished in a majority draw.
Their interim WBC super-lightweight bout saw Roach, 25-1-3 (10 KOs), make his second jump in weight this year. The former WBA featherweight title-holder previously moved to super-featherweight, where his challenge against Gervonta Davis also ended all-square.
Roach — who was dropped early but came on strong — cut a frustrated figure afterwards, telling Prime Video’s Brian Custer that the judges’ decision was “bulls**t”.
Spence, who has been out of the ring for more than two years and has never experienced a draw in his 29-fight career, gave his take on the Cruz–Roach verdict to Fight Hub TV.
“It was a good fight. Cruz lived up to his nickname ‘Pitbull’, going forward trying to throw a lot of punches. Lamont was trying to stay focused. It was a great fight. I had it close. I did think Cruz edged it a little bit, but Lamont kept his composure and it was a great fight. Hopefully they have another fight and fight again.”
Roach’s move into the super-lightweight division, nine months after stepping up to lightweight, prompted the WBA to strip him of his super-featherweight title. The belt has now been awarded to Britain’s Jazza Dickens, the former interim champion.
Both ‘Pitbull’ and ‘The Reaper’ said post-fight that they would be open to an immediate rematch.
