LAMONT ROACH JR TO FIGHT DEIVIS JULIO BASSA FOR VACANT WBO INTERNATIONAL SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE IN MAIN EVENT OF JULY 20 EDITION OF GOLDEN BOY BOXING ON ESPN AT OASIS ARENA IN CANCUN, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO
OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST MARLEN ESPARZA TO FACE DEBORA RENGIFO IN CO-MAIN EVENT
LOS ANGELES (June 27, 2018): Lamont Roach, Jr. (16-0-1, 6 KOs) will make his third headlining appearance when he takes on Deivis Julio Bassa (20-4, 12 KOs) in a 10-round fight for the vacant WBO International Super Featherweight Title in the main event of the July 20 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at the Oasis Arena in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
ESPN and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. ESPN3 will live stream undercards beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT.
Roach Jr. is a 22-year-old native of Washington, D.C. who debuted as a professional in April 2014 after an impressive run as an amateur through the NoXcuse Boxing Club. Since then, Roach’s combination of skill and technique has made him into an important player in the super featherweight division. Roach Jr. is coming off a controversial draw against Orlando “El Fenomeno” Cruz in a fight that many believed he won, and he’s ready to erase any doubts about his ability to become a world champion on July 20.
“Things happen for a reason, and I learned a lot from my last fight,” said Lamont Roach Jr. “This time I’ll leave no doubts that I’m deserving of a title in the near future. Bassa is a tough fighter with a lot of experience, but after facing a world title challenger in Orlando Cruz, I’m confident that I’ll look spectacular in my third main event fight on ESPN.”
Bassa is a very experienced warrior from Monteria, Colombia. The 37-year-old southpaw has participated in tough battles against other contenders of the exclusive Golden Boy Promotions stable, including Joet Gonzalez and Ronny Rios. Bassa will look to test Roach Jr. and prevent him from earning a regional title in what will be the first fight in Mexico for both fighters.
“It’s an honor to fight in the main event of a Golden Boy Promotions card,” said Deivis Bassa. “Roach Jr. is one of the biggest 130-pound contenders, and I’m coming to take his undefeated record. I’ve seen many things that I will take advantage of. This is my time to shine.”
In the co-main event, Olympic Bronze medalist Marlen Esparza (5-0, 1 KOs) of Houston, Texas will return in an eight-round flyweight fight against Debora Rengifo (10-5-1, 5 KOs) of Caracas, Venezuela. Esparza was the first female to sign with Golden Boy Promotions in 2016 and is continuing her rise in the 112-pound rankings.
Manuel Gallegos (11-0, 10 KOs) of Los Mochis, Mexico will participate in the first televised fight in a six-round middleweight battle. Gallegos’s opponent, along with a full undercard of explosive action, will be announced shortly.
