Hector Garcia & Lamont Roach Jr.’s Careers Could Be On The Line
On November 25, WBA Regular junior lightweight champion Hector Garcia (16-1, 10KO) and Lamont Roach Jr (23-1-1, 9KO) enter a crossroads battle that could potentially jeopardize the loser’s career.
Roach Jr. was once the shining star in the Golden Boy Promotions stable of young fighters. He notched up numerous victories at the professional level until his momentum was abruptly halted by a draw against Orlando Cruz. Adding to his woes, the Maryland resident faced another setback when he lost a shot at the WBO title against the then-champion, Jamel Herring, in 2019. This setback cost him several years of progress. Roach Jr. currently finds himself outside the rankings of other boxing organizations and without a notable victory. If he were to lose in his second title attempt, it could become incredibly challenging to stage a career comeback.
On the other hand, in 2022, Hector Garcia, fighting under the PBC banner, made a stunning entrance into the world of boxing by defeating top contender Chris “PrimeTime” Colbert on two weeks’ notice. He swiftly claimed the title after delivering a solid performance against then-WBA champion Roger Gutierrez.
Garcia’s rapid fall from grace was triggered by a controversial incident where he was labeled a “quitter” for refusing to continue against multi-divisional champion Gervonta Davis on January 7. This incident left the boxing community heavily disappointed, as the Dominican is considered the weakest champion in the division.
The outcome of this clash could revive the winner’s career while pushing the other into the shadows of the sport.
