LAMONT ROACH, JR. TO FACE BIGGEST TEST OF HIS CAREER

Published by Shawn C.

LOS ANGELES (March 30, 2018): *Lamont Roach, Jr.* (16-0, 6 KOs) will take
a step toward contender status in the competitive super featherweight
division when he faces the toughest test of his career against *Orlando “El
Fenomeno” Cruz *(25-6-1, 13 KOs) in the 10-round main event of the
April 19 edition
of *Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN* at the*Coliseo de Puerto Rico* in San Juan.ESPN2
and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET /6:30 p.m.
PT. ESPN3 will live stream the fights beginning at8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT
.

Roach, Jr. is one of the best prospects of the exclusive Golden Boy
Promotions stable. After a stellar amateur record through the *NoXcuse
Boxing Club*, the 22-year-old native of Washington, D.C. debuted in April
2014. Since then, Roach’s combination of skill and technique earned him 12
straight victories before capturing the WBC Youth Super Featherweight title
in January 2017. Since then, Roach, Jr. has defended his belt several
times, including a dominant unanimous decision victory against *Rey “Flash”
Perez* on theNov. 30. edition of *Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN*. Roach will
look to take the next step in his career against toughest challenge to date.

“I’m excited for this fight, and I’m ready to perform at a high level on
ESPN again,” said*Lamont Roach, Jr.* “This fight is going to put me exactly
where I need to be to show that I’m ready to be on a championship chase!”

Cruz is an experienced contender who participated in the 2000 Olympic Games
in Sydney. The 36-year-old has taken on world champions such as former
two-division world champions *Daniel Ponce De Leon* and *Orlando “Siri”
Salido, *along with WBO Lightweight World Champion* “Turbo” Terry Flanagan.*
The former world title challenger will look to prevent Roach, Jr. from
becoming a contender.

“I can say that this training camp has been one of the best of my career,”
said *Orlando Cruz*. “I feel blessed by God, who gives me strength and
health to stay on top of my game. I will be 110% ready for this fight and
to have a strong win on April 19 in Puerto Rico.”

The exciting undercard will be full of some of Puerto Rico’s best and
brightest prospects. *Jose Lopez *(24-6-1, 12 KOs) of Carolina, Puerto Rico
will take on *Miguel Gonzalez* (21-4, 18 KOs) of Los Mochis, Mexico in a
crossroads battle scheduled for 10 rounds in the lightweight division. *Magdiel
Cotto* (8-0, 7 KOs) of Comerio, Puerto Rico will take on *Elie Augustama* (6-7,
3 KOs) of Port Prince, Haiti in a six-round fight.

*Luis Hernandez* (16-5, 9 KOs) of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico will face *Juan
Abreu* (20-3-1, 19 KOs) of La Romana, Domincan Republic in a fight slated
for 10 rounds in the welterweight division. Bayamon, Puerto Rico’s *Bryan
Chevalier* (8-1-1, 8 KOs) will clash against a soon-to-be-announced
opponent.

*Daniel Zorilla* (6-0, 6 KOs) of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico will participate in
a six-rounder in the 140-pound division, while *Carlos Caraballo* (5-0, 4
KOs), a prospect of Guayanillla, Puerto Rico, will fight in a six-round
fight in the super bantamweight division. Opponents for both fighters will
be announced shortly.

“I’m very excited to present Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at the Coliseo de
Puerto Rico. This a wonderful place to show boxing. This upcoming
event on April
19 will be packed of action,” said *Miguel Cotto,* former world champion
and future Hall of Famer.

“We will have great fights on April 19 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. Fans
will enjoy a great show,” said *Hector Soto*, Vice Presidente of Cotto
Promotions.

“At the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, we are more than happy to return and
present high-level boxing events in our house, and what better way to do it
with two great champions such as Oscar de la Hoya, Miguel Cotto and ESPN!
That these three sports giants are betting on Puerto Rico to present their
events is a very good thing. I know that the locals will be present on April
19 at the ‘Choliseo’ to enjoy a great night,” said *Eduardo Cajina*,
General Manager of the Coliseo de Puerto Rico.

*Roach, Jr. vs. Cruz* is a ten-round super featherweight fight presented by
Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. The event is sponsored
by Tecate, “*THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING*,” Hennessy *”Never Stop, Never
Settle.” *The fight will take place on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at the
Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan. ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will air the
fights beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET /6:30 p.m. PT. ESPN3 will live stream the
fights beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT.