Lamont Roach Jr. vs Feargal McCrory Preview June 28th, 2024
WBA Junior Lightweight Beltholder Lamont Roach Jr of Washington DC defends his title for the first time this Friday, June 28th when he takes on unbeaten Feargal McCrory of Northern Ireland. The 12-rounder from Roach’s hometown can be seen live on Probox TV. Roach last saw action in November when he edged Hector Luis Garcia by split decision to win the belt. McCrory’s last fight was in March when he halted Carlos Carlson in the third round for the WBA Inter-Continental Super Featherweight Title.
Roach vs McCrory Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Feargal McCrory +800
- Lamont Roach Jr -1500
My Pick
Roach Jr. is 28 years old and has an impressive mark of 24-1-1 with 9 Ko’s and has boxed 164 rounds since making his pro debut in 2014. He stands 5-feet-7-inches tall with a 68-inch reach and isn’t a power puncher or KO artist by any means as just 37.5 per cent of his wins have been by stoppage and he’s gone the distance in six of his past eight bouts. Roach has been boxing since he was nine years old and had a fine amateur career with more than 100 victories.
He was named the most outstanding American boxer in 2013 by USA Boxing when he won the National Golden Gloves Title in the 132 lb division. He’s also a five-time Ringside World Champion, the 2011 National PAL Champion and a two-time Junior National Golden Gloves Champion. Since turning pro his best wins have been against Rene Alvarado, Jonathan Oquendo, Alberto Mercado, Rey Perez, Luis Hinojosa and Alejandro Valdez.
As a pro he’s also won the vacant WBC Youth Silver Super Featherweight Crown with the win over Valdez as well as the vacant WBO International, NABF, and WBO NABO Super Featherweight Belts. Roach Jr’s lone draw was a 10-round affair with Orlando Cruz in April of 2018 for the vacant WBO International Title. His lone defeat came at the hands of Jamel Herring via a unanimous decision in November, 2019 in a shot at the WBO Super Featherweight Title.
The 31-year-old McCrory is a southpaw who fights out of New York City and makes the ring walk with a perfect mark of 16-0 with 8 Ko’s. Unfortunately there’s no height and reach information available for him so we don’t know exactly how he stacks up against the champion size-wise. However, he does possess a little more power as 50 per cent of his wins have been by stoppage, including four of his past seven.
He’s boxed just 64 rounds since making his pro debut in 2015. As an amateur, McCrory made it to the quarterfinals of the 2010 Irish Intermediate Championships and won the 2009 Irish Youth 2 Title. Since turning pro he’s also captured the vacant Boxing Union of Ireland Lightweight Title. He’s never fought a legitimate title contender so will be taking a big step up in class against Roach Jr this weekend. However, he is used to fighting in America as he now resides there.
Prediction…
McCrory has an impressive unbeaten record but he’s faced limited opposition up to now. He’s still a fine boxer though with decent power but Roach has the better pure boxing skills and has faced tougher opponents. McCrory won’t win this fight unless he lets his hands go in volume as he’ll simply be outboxed by Roach. I’m expecting Roach to retain his title and there’s a good chance this fight goes the distance.
McCrory needs to be the aggressor from the opening bell to have a chance.
Play: Roach Jr -1500 @ BetOnline.ag
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Feargal McCrory betting • Lamont Roach Jr. betting