Lamont Roach Jr. Chases Two-Division Glory

For much of his professional career, Lamont Roach Jr. quietly built his résumé the hard way.

There were no shortcuts, no manufactured hype and no carefully selected opposition. Instead, Roach steadily sharpened his craft against quality competition, endured setbacks and continued to evolve until he transformed himself into one of boxing’s most respected technicians.

Now, the Washington, D.C. native stands one victory away from adding another chapter to that journey. On Saturday night, Roach (25-1-3, 10 KOs) challenges Mexico’s William “El Camarón” Zepeda for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.

Already a former WBA super featherweight world champion, Roach has the opportunity to become a two-division world champion by capturing one of boxing’s most prestigious titles at 135 pounds. It’s an opportunity he never hesitated to embrace.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to fight one of the best fighters in the weight class,” Roach said during Thursday’s final press conference. “For so long Zepeda has been the No. 1 contender in a few sanctioning bodies and that’s something that we paid attention to. Once the opportunity came to fight for the WBC world championship, of course I said yes.”

Roach’s path to this moment has been anything but ordinary. Following the lone defeat of his career against Jamel Herring in 2019, many questioned whether the talented amateur standout would ever fulfill his championship potential. Rather than allowing that setback to define him, Roach rebuilt himself from the ground up, putting together an impressive run that culminated in a split-decision victory over Hector Luis Garcia to capture the WBA super featherweight world championship.

If winning his first world title established Roach as a champion, his last two performances elevated his reputation throughout boxing. In March 2025, Roach delivered a masterful performance against unbeaten superstar Gervonta “Tank” Davis, battling to a majority draw. He followed that with another razor-close draw against former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, once again proving he belonged among boxing’s elite.

Those performances may not have officially added another championship belt to his collection, but they dramatically changed the perception of Roach across the sport. No longer viewed simply as a talented boxer, he became recognized as one of the sport’s most complete fighters—equally capable of boxing from range, exchanging in the pocket and making adjustments against world-class opposition.

Now comes perhaps his toughest stylistic challenge.

“ I have a bundle of skills. ”
Former WBA Super Featherweight World Champion – Lamont Roach Jr.

Standing across the ring will be Zepeda, one of boxing’s highest-volume punchers and most relentless pressure fighters. The Mexican southpaw has built a reputation for overwhelming opponents with nonstop aggression, elite conditioning and an unwavering pace that few fighters have been able to withstand.

For Roach, the matchup presents the perfect opportunity to showcase every dimension of his skill set.

“I think because what I present in the ring, I have a bundle of skills,” Roach said when asked why this fight has Fight of the Year potential. “I have a ton of will, heart like a lion, and cojones like Godzilla. And William Zepeda does as well, so it’s going to be a hell of a clash and we can’t wait to see how it turns out Saturday night.”

The respect between the two fighters has been evident throughout fight week. Rather than engaging in trash talk, both men have acknowledged the challenge awaiting them.

“We know Lamont,” Zepeda said. “He’s respectful outside of the ring but when he’s inside that ring he’s a monster, he’s a beast, and I’m the same way. It’s going to be war on Saturday.”

The stakes could hardly be higher.

A victory would not only make Roach a two-division world champion, but would complete one of boxing’s most remarkable career transformations. After years of quietly earning respect, he now has the opportunity to cement himself among the sport’s elite while capturing one of its most coveted championships. It’s the kind of opportunity Roach has spent his entire career pursuing.

On Saturday night in Las Vegas, the road that began in Washington, D.C., passed through disappointment against Herring, reached championship status at 130 pounds and gained worldwide recognition against Davis and Cruz arrives at its biggest destination yet.

One more victory would make Lamont Roach Jr. more than just a world champion again, it would likely earn him pound for pound honors and a rightful place among the sport’s very best.

For a closer look at Lamont Roach, check out his fighter page.