Bradley Warns Roach He’s Facing A ‘Big Rattlesnake’ In Cruz

Tim Bradley is advising Lamont Roach not to stand in front of WBC interim 140-lb champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in the first six rounds this Saturday, December 6th.

Cruz Eats Forward-Only Fighters Alive

Bradley believes that Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) may have gained confidence that he can stand in the pocket and brawl with Roach after his recent battle against Gervonta Davis. Roach fought the WBA lightweight champion Tank to a 12-round draw last March.

That fight planted some crazy ideas into Roach’s head, making him think he could walk down fighters with his arm punches. Doing that against Cruz is a bad idea because he’s a punching machine. He doesn’t start and stop the way Tank does.

It was the perfect situation for Roach because Tank is a potshot fighter with a low punch output. Moreover, he’s not the same fighter he was when he was still motivated and hungry. He’s lost a lot from his game in the last year.

Cruz (28-3-1, 18 KOs) vs. Roach will headline on Amazon Prime Video PPV this Saturday at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Lamont is being allowed to jump the line ahead of the contenders, Jamaine Ortiz and Alberto Puello, in the WBC’s rankings. If Roach had to fight those guys to earn a title shot against Cruz, he might come up short.

Bradley Begs Him: Don’t Be a Statue

“Roach likes to fight. He likes to stand his ground. I would advise him not to stand directly inside the pocket at the beginning, because that’s where Pitbull Cruz is at his absolute best,” said Tim Bradley on his channel, recommending that Lamont Roach avoid brawling with Isaac ‘Pitbull Cruz early on Saturday.

Roach always goes to war with his opponents. Although he does have the three-foot step back move, he always comes forward immediately after to throw his short-arm punches. He doesn’t have much power, so many of his fights go the 12-round distance. In Cruz’s loss to Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela last year in August 2024, he struggled with the movement that he used.

Bradley’s ‘Rattlesnake’ Analogy

“The first six rounds are going to be intense. I understand Roach’s mentality. ‘I was able to take Tank’s stuff.’ I know you were able to take Tank’s stuff, but you’re in there with a big rattlesnake. Roach is going to have to take, receive, and dish out,” said Bradley.

Pitbull’s Relentless Pressure

Cruz doesn’t back off after six rounds. He continues to come forward, throwing lots of shots, and making it difficult for his opponents. Bradley may be mistaking ‘Pitbull’ for someone else, because he never stops attacking.

“In the first six rounds, Roach is going to have to get comfortable among that fire because the fire is coming,” said Bradley.