Jamel Herring defeats mandatory Lamont Roach Jr!
Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, retained his WBO junior lightweight world title with a Veterans Day Weekend unanimous decision (115-113 and 117-111 2X) win over top contender Lamont Roach Jr. in front of 7,412 fans at Chukchansi Park.
Herring controlled the action early, but Roach landed a hellacious right hand at the end of the 11th that nearly sent Herring through the ropes. Roach pressed the action in the 12th, but it was too little, too late, as “The Fighting Marine” made his first successful title defense.
“I won {the title} on Memorial Day Weekend and I defended it on Veterans Day Weekend, so it definitely means a lot to all of our troops out there defending our country and still in harm’s way.
“This is for ya’ll. I couldn’t lose it on our weekend. It means a lot to still be a world champion.
“Like I said, Miguel Berchelt is considered number one, the best super featherweight in the world. In order to be the best, you have to keep testing yourself.”
Jamel Herring – WBO Junior Lightweight Champion
“We knew we had to dig down. When I hurt him, all that was on my mind was finishing him. I’m coming into unchartered territory.”
Lamont Roach – Junior Lightweight Contender
