Super featherweight contender Lamont Roach 23-1-1 (9) has waited three years for a second shot at a world title and he isn’t planning on letting the opportunity go to waste.
The 28-year-old from Washington, DC who was raised in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, lost a unanimous decision to then-WBO 130-pound champion Jamel Herring 24-4 (12) in November 2019. Roach had his moments in the fight, going 113-115 on one card, but Herring’s greater seasoning eventually won him the day.
Roach has rebuilt himself since, winning four bouts in a row to earn himself a shot at WBA super featherweight champion Hector Luis Garcia 16-1 (10) at the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 25.
“My second time in a world title fight is going to be different because I learned a lot in the first one against Jamel Herring,” Roach said.
“I took a lot from that fight and I kept the ball rolling as you can see. I’m riding a win streak that I don’t plan on stopping for a long time. I give Garcia credit for being the champion but he’s in my way and I don’t think he’s on my level.”
Roach said he saw the way to beat 32-year-old Dominican southpaw Garcia when he lost to fellow lefty Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis 29-0 (27) by ninth-round knockout in a lightweight bout in January.
“I’m from the trenches and I stand by what I said about how I’m going to stop him,” Roach explained. “That’s what I’m here for. I was in the front row for his fight against Tank. I saw Tank take the fight out of him and I know I can do the same thing. And it might be quick.
“Fans are going to be saying that I’m the best boxer at 130 pounds and I will continue to prove that after November 25 as well.
“I like that he said no excuses. That’s what I like to hear. There are no excuses on my end. That’s the name of my gym, No Excuse.
“I fought for my first world title when I was 24 years old. I was young and since then I’ve only gotten better. I capitalised on it and added to my game.
“I’m better mentally, physically and psychologically. Every aspect of my game has been raised extremely high.
Roach warned Garcia against underestimating him, insisting he is a much better boxer than Roger Gutierrez who Garcia won the title from by unanimous decision in August last year.
“There won’t be any excuses,” he said. “For him to say that Roger Gutierrez is a better fighter than me is extremely disrespectful to my skill set. I hope he’s not training as if Roger Gutierrez is better than me.”
