During Tuesday’s kickoff conference in Los Angeles, Roach dismissed the idea that fighters should hesitate when ordered into tough fights.
“Why wouldn’t I? Like I said, a lot of fighters don’t. I mean, well, a lot of fighters don’t, but it’s all bark, no bite. I have to, I’m the full package, bro. And when it comes to guys that fight, there’s nobody I won’t fight,” says Roach.
Roach acknowledged the challenge ahead of him against Zepeda, who suffered the only loss of his professional career to Shakur Stevenson. Rather than seeing the Mexican challenger as a barrier between him and bigger opportunities, Roach took the bout as another chance to bolster his resume.
“Absolutely. I’m not looking out for Zepeda at all. You know, like I said, it’s a tough job, but like my dad said, I walk it like I talk it,” says Roach. “I want to fight the best. I want to fight the toughest guys that will cement my legacy.”
Former WBA super featherweight champion Roach said the vacant title fight had extra significance because of the quality of the opposition involved.
“We have William Zepeda, a tough client in himself. You know, title challenger, top contender, and we don’t want the fight for the vacant title to be anyone other than someone of his level of opposition,” Lamont said.
Roach has repeatedly stated his desire to face elite competition throughout his career, and his recent schedule reflects that approach. His last three outings have come against Gervonta Davis, Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, and now Zepeda, a stretch few fighters in the lightweight division will willingly accept.
Victory on August 1 would make Roach a two-division world champion. Defeat will halt the momentum he has built despite the contested outcomes in his previous two appearances. Beating Zepeda would provide the signature win that has been absent from Roach’s resume thus far.
