Boxing
Bradley warns Roach that he is dealing with a “large rattlesnake” in Cruz.
Published
5 months agoon
Tim Bradley advises Lamont Roach not to face WBC 140-pound interim champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in the first six rounds this Saturday, December 6.
Cruz eats attacking fighters alive
Bradley believes Roach (25-1-2, 10 KO) may have gained confidence in his ability to be in the pocket and fight Roach after his recent fight with Gervonta Davis. Last March, Roach fought WBA lightweight champion Tank and drew after 12 rounds.
This fight planted some crazy ideas in Roach’s head that made him think he could knock fighters down with punches to the arm. Doing this against Cruz is a bad idea because he’s a striking machine. He doesn’t start and end like Tank does.
This was the perfect situation for Roach as Tank is a low impact potshot fighter. Moreover, he is not the same player he was when he was still motivated and hungry. He lost a lot last year because of his play.
Cruz (28-3-1, 18 KO) vs. Roach will headline Amazon Prime Video PPV this Saturday at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Lamont could overtake WBC rankings challengers Jamaine Ortiz and Alberto Puello. If Roach had to fight these fighters to earn a title shot against Cruz, he might not have made it.
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 in the pocket at the beginning, because that’s where Pitbull Cruz is at his best,” said Tim Bradley in his canalrecommending that Lamont Roach avoid a fight with Isaac ‘Pitbull Cruz’ early Saturday morning.
Roach always goes to war with his opponents. Although he moves backwards three feet, he always comes forward immediately after throwing punches with his low arm. He doesn’t have much power, so many of his fights go over 12 rounds. During Cruz’s loss to Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela last year in August 2024, he had issues with the move he was using.
Bradley’s “Rattlesnake” analogy.
“The first six rounds will be intense. I understand Roach’s mentality. ‘I was able to take Tank’s stuff.’ I know you could have taken Tank’s stuff, but you’re in there with a huge rattlesnake. “Roach is going to have to take, take and give,” Bradley said.
Pitbull’s relentless pressure
Cruz doesn’t give up after six rounds. He still comes forward and takes a lot of shots, making the game arduous for his opponents. Bradley may be confusing “Pitbull” with someone else because he never stops attacking.
“In the first six rounds, Roach is going to have to get comfortable with the fire because the fire is coming,” Bradley said.
A Navy veteran, he graduated from college with a master’s degree in organizational leadership and a graduate degree in human resources from Brandman University, formally known as Chapman University. Family man, boxing fan…find me on Twitter talking boxing @James_theGrad
Last update: 12/02/2025
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Boxing
Ryan Garcia signals doubts about Benn’s fight, calling Rolly to reserve
Published
40 minutes agoon
April 26, 2026
In recent comments, Garcia said that Benn is the fight he wants. At the same time, he openly announced the emergency plan.
“If Conor doesn’t want it, we’ll go back to it with Rolly,” Ryan Garcia told Ring Magazine, referring to Rolando Romero.
That alone was revealing. Players who believe that an agreement is imminent tend to limit their message. When alternative opponents are publicly mentioned, it often means that there are still obstacles related to money, timing, broadcasters or promotional control.
Then another wrinkle appeared when Óscar De La Hoya publicly supported a completely different fight.
“I’m most interested in a rematch with Devin Haney,” De La Hoya said, adding that it could be massive enough to accommodate Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Now Garcia’s public trail includes three separate names: Benn, Romero and Devin Haney. Rarely does a finalized fight sound like this.
Benn’s matchup still makes sense on paper. Benn has become one of the more recognizable names in the UK and has now added to his profile after signing with Zuffa Boxing. Garcia remains one of boxing’s biggest social media attractions and continues to attract attention regardless of the results.
Put these names together and you have clear commercial value.
But picking a fight and liking the fight are two different things. Garcia has ties to the Golden Boy. Benn’s modern setting creates fresh business layers. Place also matters. An event in the US, an event in the UK, or support from Saudi Arabia would change the economy.
This helps explain why backup options are already provided.
A rematch with Haney also remains valuable as unfinished business continues to sell. Their first meeting generated headlines, controversy and debate. Whether fans loved the event or not, they remember it. In state-of-the-art boxing, remembered fights are often easier to sell than fresh ones.
Meanwhile, Romero proposes the simplest, practical way. It is known, accessible and connected to Garcia’s recent history.
Ryan may really prefer Benn, but preference doesn’t always dictate the schedule. This is usually what promoters, networks and time do.
Boxing
Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya disagree on who he should fight next
Published
3 hours agoon
April 26, 2026
Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya have offered conflicting perspectives on a potential rematch with Devin Haney, while rumors of a Conor Benn fight become more likely.
Garcia won the welterweight world title in February, dethroning Mario Barrios by unanimous decision following a first-round knockout.
Since then, his name has been most closely linked to Benn, the WBC No. 1 contender at 147 pounds, whose last fight was at 150 pounds against Regis Prograis.
In a recent interview with Fighting Hub TVGarcia confirmed that this is the fight he wants.
“Devin Haney never wanted this. He doesn’t want a rematch at all… [I’m going to return in] August. Can’t wait. I just want Conor [Benn]”
Unlike Garcia, said Golden Boy promoter De La Hoya Fight the noise that he “would like” to make a rematch with Haney a priority.
“I’m most interested in the rematch with Devin Haney. It could be a blockbuster event.
“I would love for this fight to take place in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium – it could be such a substantial fight.
“I believe this fight is the best fight that can be had right now.”
Garcia reached a majority decision against Haney in April 2024, but the result was declared a no contest after he tested positive twice for the banned substance Ostarine. It remains one of the most intriguing fights in boxing, especially considering the doubts surrounding the first result and the fact that it is currently a unification fight in the welterweight ranks.
But it appears Benn will take his shot despite recently signing a contract with Zuffa Boxing, the latest major promotion of the sport whose frontman Dana White has no interest in working with the four customary sanctioning bodies.
Tim Bradley raised modern questions about Naoya Inoue ahead of a possible fight with Junto Nakatani, saying the undisputed champion has been hit too tough recently and could be he’s starting to get tired of fighting.
“I was hesitant on what to choose,” Bradley said on his channel while talking about Saturday’s Inoue vs. Nakatani fight. “I don’t know who I’m going to favor yet. I’ll let you know later, man. I don’t know. I really don’t know.”
Bradley explained that Nakatani’s length, timing and counters give him the tools to give Inoue more trouble than recent opponents. “Nakatani got a chance to bat,” Bradley said. “In any case, she needs to close the distance from him. The question is, will she do it safely?”
He also pointed out a recurring error in Inoue’s style, noting moments where the undisputed champion can be caught stepping in.
“He’s defenseless. He’s getting hit. That’s what it is,” Bradley said. “Like Nakatani.”
Bradley praised the way Nakatani uses his range and setup play, saying it all starts with his lead hand.
“It all depends on the leading hand and whether he can get his opponent into the action,” Bradley said. “He wants you to reach so he can teach.”
Still, Bradley sees Inoue as a more adaptable player and therefore can’t fully engage in an upset conversation.
“You can never predict. You look at Inoue’s fights and you see this guy doesn’t fight the same,” Bradley said. “He always adapts his game to the style he is dealing with.”
Bradley also questioned whether years of activity could compensate Inoue after his recent struggles.
“He was hit too tough,” Bradley said. “I wonder if he’s getting tired of fighting?”
Even with these concerns, Bradley expects both men to be in top shape should the fight happen.
“It’s going to be a hell of a fight, man,” Bradley said. “These guys are going to beat the living [expletive] from each other.”
Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.
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Last updated: 26/04/2026 at 17:17
Ryan Garcia signals doubts about Benn’s fight, calling Rolly to reserve
Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya disagree on who he should fight next
Tim Bradley wonders if Inoue is tired of fighting
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