Lamont Roach Jr extends contract with Golden Boy

Lamont Roach Jr, who is less than two months away from the first world title fight of his career, has re-signed with Golden Boy Promotions.

“My re-signing with Golden Boy is a message within itself,” said Roach. ”Obviously, I love the way my career has been moved. They have always believed in me. Look at the way things are going! I’m about to bring them a world championship. I’m a superstar in the making, and I would not be here without them.”

“We are delighted to be extending our agreement with Lamont Roach Jr,” said Golden Boy’s Oscar De La Hoya. “Since the very beginning, we have had faith in Lamont, and he has had faith in us. This mutual trust and commitment have paid off as he’ll now be fighting for a world title, and I’m confident that we will have a new world champion in our family. We’re proud of what he’s accomplished, and we are excited about what’s to come.”

Roach (19-0-1, 7 KO) will face Jamel Herring for the WBO super featherweight title on Nov. 9, which will air on ESPN+. The 24-year-old fighter from Washington, DC, turned pro in 2014 and has had some hype for a while, but in all honesty his career has sort of stagnated at the prospect stage. He fought to a split draw with journeyman Orlando Cruz in Apr. 2018, and in his last outing on May 5, he had more trouble with another journeyman, Jonathan Oquendo, than one might have expected, and more than the scores indicated.

But Roach has his shot with Herring (20-2, 10 KO), the 33-year-old ex-Marine and 2012 Olympian, who will be considered a vulnerable titleholder until he really puts together a run, which he might — Herring seems a different, better fighter at 130 and working with trainer Brian McIntyre. Most will still see him — and Roach — as having something to prove on Nov. 9, and it should be an interesting fight that tells us plenty about both guys.