By Norm Frauenheim
LAS VEGAS — A draw creates inevitable controversy and often doubt, but none of that was apparent in bold confidence expressed by Lamont Roach Jr,, who is coming off successive draws last year, first to Gervonta “Tank” Davis and then Isaac “Pit Bull” Cruz.
Roach stepped off the scale Friday after a mock weigh-in for his bid Saturday for a second division title against William Zepeda at the Virgin Hotel.
“I’m leaving no questions, no doubts,’’ said Roach, who was at 134.6 pounds, safely under the lightweight limit, 135, Friday morning at the official weigh-in. “I’m the best fighter in the world, no question.’’
That begged a question, of course.
How dio you expect to win?
“Anyway I want,’’ Roach (29-1-3, 10 KOs) said without hesitation.
Zepeda (33-1,27 KOs) who was also at 134.6 pounds, might have something to say about that. He was beaten in his last bout by Shakur Stevenson. But he went the distance, losing a decision to the pound-for-pound contender. It was a performance that said he can upset anybody, including Roach.
Roach, of Washington DC, has been a betting favorite — minus 145 — since the bout was announced for a World Boxing Council title vacated by Stevenson. The narrow odds suggest only one thing: A 50-50 fight.
Roach gets the nod because of a comprehensive skillset. Simply put, he has more options than Zepeda, known for his aggressiveness. Zepeda knows how to apply pressure, especially in the opening rounds. But here’s the question: Can he sustain it?
If not, expect Roach to make adjustments. A boxer-puncher, he can fight from the outside and throw counters on the inside. In other words, any way he wants.
A Roach victory would restore much of the promise he had before Tank and Pit Bull sidetracked him. Ultimately, Roach says he wants a fight with Stevenson.
“It would be a great chess match,’’ he said.
First, however, he has to make all the right moves against Zepeda. Then, the next step might be a date with the winner of the co-main event, Raymond Muratalla against Robson Conceicao on a card also newsworthy because it’s the first in a TNT/DAZN monthly series.
Muratalla (24-0, 17 KOs), the International Boxing Federation’s lightweight champion, was also at 134.6 pounds Friday. More significantly, he’s a much bigger favorite to win than Roach is. The Robert Garcia-trained Muratalla is a minus-14 choice to beat Conceicao (23-3-1, 10 KOs), a competent, yet aging contender from Brazil. The 37-year-old Brazilian, who was at 135 pounds Friday, has an Olympic gold medal, yet he is still seeking his first world title belt.
“I expect a great fight, a tough fight,’’ Conceicao said through an interpreter. “He’s a great champion. But I’m ready for this.’’
From the sounds of it, so too is Roach.
