Lamont Roach Jr. was nearing the end of training camp in mid-October 2017 for an upcoming fight when the D.C.
-born boxer received word that his cousin and trainer Bernard Roach had collapsed during a workout. Known affectionately as “Boogaloo,” Bernard Roach died shortly thereafter at 52 but not before his pupil, then a rising prospect at 130 pounds, was able to visit with him for a final time. Eight days following the death of one of the most revered trainers in the Washington region, Lamont Roach Jr.
beat Luis Hinojosa via a first-round knockout in Verona, New York, in a tuneup for more consequential opponents. Three fights later, Roach, now 28, claimed his first major title by defeating Deivi Julio for the vacant WBO International super featherweight belt when Julio failed to answer the bell for the seventh round. With his father, Lamont Sr.
, serving as his trainer, Roach dedicated the triumph to “Boogaloo” and has since kept his memory alive by ascending to the upper reaches of the super featherweight division, most recently capturing the WBA championship via a 12-round split decision over Hector Luis Garcia on Nov. 25 in Las Vegas. On Friday night, Roach (24-1-1, nine knockouts) will be fighting in his hometown for the first time as the holder of one of the four major belts at 130 pounds when he faces undefeated Irishman Feargal McCrory (16-0, eight KOs) in the main event of a card stacked with area boxers at Entertainment and Sports Arena.
“I think about him a.
