By Hesiquio Balderas
Robert Díaz Sounds Off After Controversial Draw: “We Had to Fight the Opponent and the Judges.”
In the aftermath of Lamont Roach Jr.’s highly debated draw against Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, manager Robert Díaz didn’t hold back his frustration, pointing directly at the judging and the circumstances surrounding the fight.
Speaking exclusively with FightNews.com, Díaz delivered a blunt assessment of what Team Roach faced in San Antonio:
“What can you do if you have to fight your opponent and you have to fight the judges at the same time? We were in Pitbull’s home turf. This is the same arena where we got a draw for the final belt. It’s almost impossible that all the media and all the fans saw us win even the Mexican fans and yet the judges didn’t.”
Díaz also revealed that Roach fought under extreme adversity:
“Lamont broke his hand in the fifth round I can confirm that to FightNews.com.”
Despite the injury, Díaz maintains that Roach not only did enough to win, but that boxing politics stole a historic accomplishment from him.
“It’s very hard to accept that Lamont should be a three-division world champion. But the judges kept us away from that. He should be a three-time world champion, and he’s only listed as a one-division world champion.”
Díaz’s comments highlight the ongoing outcry from fans and media who believe Roach delivered the cleaner, more technical performance, outboxing Cruz for long stretches despite giving up size, power, and fighting with a broken hand.
For many, the draw feels less like a fair result and more like another chapter in boxing’s long history of questionable scoring — especially when the house fighter is involved.
As Díaz summed it up, the night felt like a victory denied:
“All we want is fairness. Lamont earned it in the ring.”
