Lamont Roach recovered from a third-round knockdown to outwork Isaac Cruz in the second-half of a competitive 12-round clash, but the now-former WBA 130-pound world champion didn't do enough in the judges' eyes to edge their WBC interim junior welterweight title clash.

During an absorbing clash, Cruz held a narrow 87-85 edge in punches landed through five rounds, as well as scoring a 10-8 in the third frame after connecting on a left hook to leave Roach scrambling to stay upright - surrendering the first knockdown of his 11-year career.

Yet after round five, the tide turned in the Maryland man's favor. Making his divisional debut at 140-pounds here, he connected on 49% of his power punches, almost doubled Cruz's landed jab tally (49-27) and had more success with round-by-round output preceding the final frame, which saw the Mexican just do enough - despite having a point deducted in the seventh.

Chris Tellez scored it 115-111 for Cruz, while judges Nathan Palmer and Cory A Santos both had it 113-113 on a night neither will forget anytime soon as they look to 2026 and another potential rematch.