Roach, Jr. Remains Undefeated With Unanimous Decision In Las Vegas!

Upper Marlboro, MD super featherweight Lamont Roach, Jr. successfully defended his WBO International Super Featherweight title and won the NABO Super Featherweight championship with a tough, 10-round unanimous decision win over veteran world title contender Jonathan Oquendo of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.

According to Fightnews.com reporters Miguel Maravilla and David Robinett, the bout was a rough one.  Here's their report: 

"Although in the twilight of a long, workmanlike career at age 35, Oquendo came into this fight with some momentum, reeling off four straight wins after an unsuccessful challenge for the WBA featherweight title in 2015 and an ensuing 19-month layoff. That momentum was reflected in the first round, with Oquendo immediately taking the fight to his younger opponent, coming forward and stunning Roach with a left hook that drew blood from Roach’s nose for the remainder of the round, and on and off throughout the fight. Oquendo continued coming forward in the early rounds, out landing a surprisingly immobile Roach and nearly dropping him in round four with a body that caused Roach to double over in visible discomfort. The rough fourth round seemed to light a fire under Roach, who came out in round five for the first time with some urgency, keeping his distance and rocking Oquendo with lead left and right hands before dancing out of countering range. The remainder of the fight alternated rounds where Oquendo was able to walk down Roach and outland him in close quarters, and Roach realizing he needed to stick and move more, boxing smartly for short spurts and relying on his hand speed to land meaningful, albeit sporadic combinations.

Throughout the fight Roach also complained of Oquendo leading with his head, prompting referee Russell Mora to take away a point from Oquendo in round eight that fortunately was not the determining factor in the fight. In the end, a valuable learning experience for Roach, who needs to learn to fight for sustained stretches and rely more on his strengths of speed and movement if he is going to survive against the division’s elite."

Roach won the bout by scores of 96-93 and 97-93 twice to remain undefeated at 19-0-1, seven KO's.  Oquendo falls to 30-6, 19 KO's.  Roach should now be the number one contender for the WBO Super Featherweight title held by Masayuki Ito of Japan.