Tonight (Friday), WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach Jr. makes the first defense of his title in a homecoming fight against New York-based Irishman Feargal McCrory at the Entertainment and Sports Arena. It is in an excellent match-up and will take place in front of what is sure to be a crowd on fire. Roach has been on the road, fighting in New York, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Las Vegas, where he won his world title with a hard-fought decision win over tough Hector Luis Garcia in November of last year. The 28-year-old champion has won 24 bouts, lost one and drawn one, with nine victories coming by knockout. Roach is trained by his father, Lamont Roach Sr. who assumed full coaching responsibilities of his son when their cousin, Bernard Roach, died in 2017 while in training camp for a fight. Roach Jr. now fights in memory of ‘Coach Roach’ and has won five consecutive bouts since his lone loss, a world title defeat by Jamel Herring in Fresno.

Roach Jr. who lives in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, is coming home and he has an adoring fanbase in Washington, D.C. which will make this fight the hottest ticket in town.

The challenger, southpaw McCrory 16-0 (8 KOs), nicknamed “Fearless” Feargal, is a gritty and determined fighter who will be looking to make the most of his big chance, facing down a hostile crowd in enemy territory. McCrory, 31, started his career in Ireland but in 2022 moved to the USA to follow his dreams. He has since boxed around the East Coast, in Philadelphia, Atlantic City and New York, and he’s knocked out three of his last four opponents.

In the co-main event, Guatemalan puncher Lester Martinez, who has knocked out 15 of his 17 victims, faces 22-2 (17 KOs) Ecuadorian veteran southpaw Carlos Gongora, and entertaining English super featherweight road warrior Alex Dilmighani, 20-2-1 (7 KOs), takes on Mexican tough guy Rene Tellez Giron, 19-3 (12 KOs).