Undefeated Lamont Roach and former two-time world title challenger Orlando Cruz fought to a 10-round split draw in a super featherweight fight at Coliseo San Juan in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In round nine, Roach landed a nice left hook that wobbled Cruz. seconds later, Cruz fell from the effects of the punch, but it was ruled a slip.
The ref error proved to be the difference as the scores were 97-93 for Roach, 96-94 for Cruz and 95-95.
Roach, 129.4 lbs of Washington, DC is 16-0-1. Cruz, 129.4 lbs of San Juan, PR is 25-6-1.
“I think I should have won, but I showed that I was a true champ by going into his backyard,” said Lamont Roach, Jr. “We didn’t get the decision we wanted, but that’s boxing. DC would be fine for a rematch, but whenever I get back in the ring with him I’m going to destroy him. The shot I landed in the ninth round should have been a knockdown, but sometimes you get the short end of the stick in the sport of boxing.”
“I thought the fight was going to be ruled a split decision in my favor,” said Orlando Cruz. “Roach is a young, talented fighter, but I made him miss a lot. Either way, I must continue working and training. I definitely want the rematch.
Jose Lopez won a 10-round Unanimous decision over Miguel A. Gonzalez in a super featherweight bout.
In round one, Gonzalez was cut over his left eye.
Lopez, 130 lbs of Carolina, PR won by scores of 99-91, 98-91 and 97-93 and is now 19-2-1. Gonzalez, 130 lbs of Los Mochis, MX is 22-4.
Magdiel Cotto won a six-round majority decision over Ekie Augustama in a middleweight bout.
In round four, Augustama started to swell around his left eye from an accidental headbutt.
Cotto, 159 lbs of Comerio, PR won by scores of 58-56 twice and 57-57 to raise his mark to 9-0. Augustama, 160 lbs of Miami, FL is 6-8.
Bryan Chevalier won a 6-round unanimous decision over Luis Diaz in a lightweight bout.
Chevalier, 131 lbs of Bayamon, PR won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 9-1-1. Diaz, 131 lbs of Coamo, PR is 3-5.
Juan Abreu won a 10-round unanimous decision over Luis Hernandez in a middleweight bout.
In round nine, Abreu was credited with a knockdown when he landed a wild left that drove Hernandez into the ropes.
Abreu, 152 lbs of La Romana, DOM won by scores of 99-90, 98-91 and 97-92 and is now 21-3-1. Hernandez, 156 lbs of Rio Piedras, PR is 16-6.
Jean Rivera made a successful pro debut with a 4-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Delgado in a welterweight bout.
Rivera, 146 lbs of San Juan won on all cards by 40-36 scores and is now 1-0. Delgado, 146 lbs of Mayaguez, PR was also making his pro debut.
