Lamont Roach says he’s worked in camp on how to “neutralize” Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz to shut down his offense to dethrone him of his WBC interim light welterweight title this Saturday.The word “neutralize” is surely code for Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) to follow the blueprint created by Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela with the hit-and-move style that he used to defeat ‘Pitbull’ Cruz by a 12-round split decision on August 3, 2024.
The Rayo Blueprint
Rayo looked like he’d studied the fighting style of Vasily Lomachenko and did a fair copy. Roach isn’t on the same level as Rayo in skills, mobility, or punching power. So, it’s going to be easy for him to duplicate the same style.
Neutralize = Hit & Move
“Mentally, in my mind, I see myself being controlling and doing the things that I have to do that we worked on in camp to neutralize ‘Pitbull’ and eventually take over in the fight,” said Lamont Roach to Fight Hub TV about his fight on Saturday night against WBC light welterweight champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.
It would be more entertaining if Roach fought ‘Pitbull’ the way he did Gervonta Davis earlier this year on March 1st. He walked Tank down and was able to outwork him with his short-arm punches. He would have gotten the victory in that fight if the referee hadn’t blown a call on a knockdown.
“Styles make fights. Every fight is different because every opponent is different. So, we just have to get in there and see,” said Roach. “I’m prepared for the best ‘Pitbull’ Cruz. I’m prepared for it to be a challenge. I’m very in tune with myself. I’m very in tune with the world of boxing.”
Mobility Isn’t His Strength
Roach is talking in glittering generalities, being vague, and giving nothing away. It doesn’t matter that he’s trying to hide his game plan. He only has two options. Either try to walk Cruz down or duplicate the ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela stick-and-move style. Neither is guaranteed to work because he doesn’t match up with Cruz on offense, and his mobility is not as good as Rayo’s. Cruz will get to him if he moves all night.
“I’m very accepting that just because I’m in the ring doesn’t mean anyone is going to take it lightly,” said Roach.
