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LAMONT ROACH JR: "I TAKE BITS AND PIECES FROM EVERY GREAT WORLD CHAMPION"

By John Russell | April 18, 2014
LAMONT ROACH JR:

"I take things from a lot of boxers, but I don't think that I pattern myself from any one fighter. I like the way GGG fights. I take bits and pieces from every great world champion. Of course Rigondeaux is slick and stays in control every round. Floyd Mayweather has a gift and is another great boxer. And it's just the small things people do or certain punches people throw and we'll look at it like this worked for him and let's try to add it to our arsenal," stated prospect Lamont Roach, who talked about his recent signing with Golden Boy Promotoins and his upcoming pro debut this Saturday on the undercard of Hopkins vs. Shumenov. Check it out!

JR: Congrats on signing with Golden Boy Promotions. What was it that made you finally make the decision to turn pro?

Lamont Roach Sr. [LRSR]: First, our goal was to make the Olympics for 2016, but with all the changes in USA boxing and the rule changes with no headgear and stuff like that; we were coming off of 2 major national championship wins and felt this was the right time to turn pro.

JR: What was your amateur record and what titles did you hold?

Lamont Roach Jr. [LRJR]: My amateur record was 120-something and 15. I won the Ringside World Championship 5 times, The National PAL in 2011, Jr. National Golden Gloves 2 times, the USA Amateur Outstanding Boxer recently, and the 2013 National Golden Gloves.

JR: So what was the brightest moment of your amateur career?

LRSR: I would say the 2013 USA National Championships. We boxed beautifully out there. They had a lot of good fighters in his division and to win the USA Most Outstanding Boxer, then to follow it up with a National Golden Gloves championship tournament at the age of 17.

JR: What's your age, height, and weight that you fight at?

LRJR: I'm 18 years old right now and 5'7".  In the amateurs, I fought at 132 and professionally, I will fight lightweight.

JR: Was going to school, joining the military, or any other option something that you ever wanted to explore?

LRJR: School was always pushed towards me, so I was always looking at school, but it really got serious when I got out of high school. I'm at University of Maryland now studying to be a mechanical engineer and I'm boxing, so it's not really that difficult.

JR: Describe your type of style and who are some boxers that you study and pattern your game after?

LRJR: That's tough! I take things from a lot of boxers, but I don't think that I pattern myself from any one fighter. I like the way GGG fights. I take bits and pieces from every great world champion. Of course Rigondeaux is slick and stays in control every round. Floyd Mayweather has a gift and is another great boxer. And it's just the small things people do or certain punches people throw and we'll look at it like this worked for him and let's try to add it to our arsenal.

LRSR: Well, he's versatile. He gives you glimpses of a Canelo and a Miguel Cotto. He's a boxer-puncher and he can box and he can bang. He has power in both hands and is able to put together combinations with any punch. With the pro game, everybody that has seen him says he has a pro-style already. We have our own little style that we teach all the fighters. Everybody doesn't fight the same way, but they have the foundation from the No Xcuses boxing gym.

JR: Is there someone in the amateurs that you fought that is making some noise in the boxing scene now or that you think will possibly meet up with you again in the future.

LRJR: There is somebody right now I fought in the USA amateurs, but he's still fighting in the amateurs. I fought him last year and he's #1 right now on the men's US team. He's traveling with the U.S. team overseas and his name is Genero Gamez from San Diego, California.

JR: So your pro debut is slated April 19th on the Bernard Hopkins card. I'm assuming you guys had a good camp.

LRSR: Yes, we've been in camp getting some good work in. Last week, we got some good work in with Hank Lundy. We was actually out in Philly and got in some work with him right before his last fight on Showtime too.

JR: What are some of the things that you take from sparring with a guy as experienced as Hank Lundy?

LRJR: It's a lot of things you take from him. He's slick, crafty, and unpredictable. He has an unique style and put's it to use well and makes it work and that's the kind of things that I can take from him.

JR: How do you think your style will suit the professional ranks?

LRJR: I think it will fair well. One thing that I'm good at is making adjustments quickly in the ring. I think I have the power to keep opponents off of me.

JR: When you made the decision to turn pro, were you made offers by other promoters? What was the decision to give the final shot to Golden Boy?

LRSR: We believed that Golden Boy is the top promoter in the game right now. One of my other fighters, Ballard, has already signed with them.  We had other offers from some other top promoters, but thought Golden Boy was the best fit.

JR: How often are you looking to put your footprint in the sport of boxing before the year is over?

LRJR: We're looking at 6-8 fights before the year is over with, you know, once every 2 month. It shouldn't be a problem.

JR: Guys, is there anything to say in closing before we wrap it up?

LRJR and LRSR: Yes, we want to thank you for your time and energy with this interview. We're happy to be on board with Golden Boy and look forward to bringing a world championship home soon. You can look us up on Twitter and Instagram @noxcuseboxing & me a @lillamont_



[ Follow John Russell on Twitter @theJ_Russ3ll ]

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