'Battle-tested' Lamont Roach Jr determined to produce convincing title triumph
Instead of shrinking from the moments of discouragement, Lamont Roach Jr., has repeatedly soldiered on, committing to make himself a better version.
A former decorated amateur who originally signed with Golden Boy Promotions more than a decade ago, Roach gained a WBO super-featherweight title shot under Oscar De La Hoya, losing a 2019 unanimous decision to Jamel Herring.
Following consecutive unanimous-decision victories in 2021 and 2022, he and De La Hoya’s company parted ways when their contract expired.
“It was a business decision that had to be made so we could explore who I could be,” Roach told Boxing Scene. “I’m not saying Golden Boy couldn’t get me here. They made sure I was ready for each level, every step up.
“But [manager] Robert [Diaz] has done tremendous by me and brought me up the right way. What it all boiled down to is -- my contract was up. We chose to go a different route, and look at us now: We’re in the driver’s seat.”
After becoming WBA 130 lbs champion, Roach, 30, has weathered two more daunting tests of character by enduring disputed back-to-back draws last year against three-division champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and former 140-lbs champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz of Mexico.
Following those outcomes as “B” sides against Davis and Cruz, Roach’s team, including ProBoxTV’s Garry Jonas and promoter Premier Boxing Champions, successfully negotiated for him to receive “A” side treatment this time, including being positioned on the left side of the fight banners and posters.
Roach, 25-1-3 (10 KOs), meets Mexico’s hard-hitting volume puncher and recent lightweight title challenger William Zepeda, 33-1 (27 KOs), August 1 at Virgin Hotels and Casino in Las Vegas in the main event of TNT’s new “The Fight” series that will be simultaneously streamed by DAZN.
“It feels good, and it definitely would’ve felt better if those decisions were wins,” Roach said of his elevated position. “I’m proud of myself. There’s more room to grow. And that’s the path that I’m on: to be better and, ultimately, be one of the best fighters in the world.”
Roach would’ve defeated Davis in March 2025 if referee Steve Willis had awarded him a knockdown when Davis took a knee and retreated to his corner following a stiff Roach delivery. A hand injury sabotaged his ability to close a rally against Cruz in December.
However, the persistence has transformed Roach to a coming-of-age pound-for-pound talent who has seemingly sent the once imposing Davis hiding from a rematch.
“Just his maturity -- those two draws that easily could’ve been wins and made him a three-division champion -- think about that,” Roach promoter Tom Brown said.
“He didn’t lose those fights. This guy’s as battle tested as any fighter can be. He’s got confidence now and he’s a dangerous fighter going into the Zepeda fight. This kid will be the WBC lightweight champion on August 1. He can do whatever he wants to do: stand in there and trade, or box.
“I believe this fight is going to be very violent.”
Although he now promotes Zepeda as the Mexican seeks to recover from a July loss to unbeaten four-division champion Shakur Stevenson, De La Hoya said he’s been drawn by Roach’s rise since they parted.
“What excites me about this fight is the hunger, the styles, the discipline,” De La Hoya said at Tuesday’s news conference at his offices.
“There is no shame in their past fights. I thought Lamont Roach won against ‘Tank’ Davis and ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.
“You have two guys so motivated to get into the winner’s circle. I’m going to call it right now: Fight of the year. This is a fight I can’t wait to watch. The hunger from both fighters – coming off the draws and loss, meeting great fighters – gives you an extra motivation. I say that from experience. When you get the call to meet a great fighter, you don’t hesitate because you want to be great. We know talent, know fighters. The fact we helped Lamont Roach to open the doors in his career is a blessing, and I’m very proud.”
Reflecting on his time with Golden Boy, Roach said candidly, “Strictly as a boxer, I was too high on myself. I was just relying on pure talent and what I’d done before [as an amateur champion]. After I lost to Jamel Herring, it hit me that that’s not enough. Everybody at that level is going to be good. I had to work my ass off.
“I had to rededicate myself to the sport, realizing they’re not going to give me anything. I have to go take everything. That’s what led to this run.”
Following the disservice of the arbiters in his past two bouts, Roach said, ”I feel like I can get a fair shake. But I’m not counting on it. I’m relying on my hard work. I’m relying on my skills. I’m relying on my ability to win decisively, to win clean – a landslide or a knockout. That’s my whole disposition.”
He praised Zepeda, also 30, as a formidable foe to gain a second division belt – an accomplishment that distinguishes.
“Zepeda’s a tough customer. I wouldn’t want to fight anyone but someone like the caliber of fighter he is,” Roach said. “I’ve worked my ass off in camp to do everything I can to bring this belt home with me.
“The draws haven’t sat too well with me, but life goes on. When it comes to fighting guys, there’s no one I wouldn’t fight. Obviously, he’s a dangerous fighter. I’m sure nobody’s going to forget this fight. No one.”
The WBC have now officially ordered Lamont Roach vs William Zepeda for the vacant WBC lightweight world title.
UPDATE
CONFIRMED: Raymond Muratalla will defend his IBF lightweight title against Robson Conceicao in the Aug. 1 Lamont Roach-William Zepeda co-feature live on TNT US and DAZN.