Lamont Roach Endorses a Unification With Emanuel Navarrete
WBA junior lightweight champion Lamont Roach Jr. (25-1-1, 10KO) wants to prove he is the best in the division by unifying. One champion Roach wouldn’t mind sharing the ring with is WBO champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (38-2-1, 31KO).
On June 28, Roach put on a career performance in a successful title defense against Feargal McCrory. He hit the challenger with everything except the kitchen sink en route to a destructive eighth-round stoppage in front of the home crowd.
BRING ON A UNIFICATION
During the in-ring post-fight interview, the WBA champion was very candid about wanting a unification next.
“My next goal to conquer is unification. So any champion watching this, just know I’m on your ass. I’m the best at 130. I hope I showed it tonight. But, I’m going to show it when I unify.”
Roach was excited to talk about fighting the WBO champion, when asked.
“I would love to fight with Navarrete. He’s a hell of a fighter, he’s a warrior, and he’s action-packed. He’s tough and hasn’t been beaten at 130 pounds . . . If that unification happens, it’ll be a total, all-out war.”
HE IS RIPE FOR THE PICKING
In this author’s opinion, targeting Navarrete is a smart move as he doesn’t seem to be the same fighter. In his last two outings, he fought like a one-dimensional fighter relying on his power.
Vaquero is coming off a loss against Denys Berinchyk for the WBO lightweight title. Before that fight, the Mexican got a draw in his last title defense against Robson Conceicao in 2023.
This version of Roach is fighting with a chip on his shoulder and could beat a Navarrete who doesn’t seem to be the same fighter. It will be interesting to see if the WBO champion’s team is willing to make that fight next.
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