Bernard “Boogaloo” Roach laid the foundation for the path that Lamont Roach Jnr now walks and his teammates, Jordan Roach and Benjamin Johnson, are following closely behind.
Jordan Roach is set to face Holman Matamoros in a junior bantamweight bout on Friday, May 1. On the same card, welterweight Benjamin Johnson will take on Lesther Espino at Maryland Live Casino. Both fights are scheduled for six rounds and will be streamed on ProBox TV.
For Lamont Roach Jnr, the past year has been both a breakthrough and a trial. He fought Gervonta Davis to a draw in a high-profile bout – one many believe he could have won had a knockdown been officially counted. The fight significantly raised his profile. In December, he followed it up with another competitive draw against Isaac Cruz.
Though neither fight resulted in a victory, Roach emerged from both with greater visibility, headlining two pay-per-view events. The former WBA junior lightweight titleholder believes he did enough to win both bouts – wins that could have made him a three-division champion.
For the Roach family, however, everything traces back to Bernard “Boogaloo” Roach – a former firefighter and decorated amateur boxer who founded the “Fight to Fit” program. Lamont Roach Snr worked alongside him to build it.
“We were side-by-side creating the amateur program,” Roach Snr told BoxingScene. “He passed away in 2017, but he taught me so much. We learned from each other and always envisioned moments like this. Now it’s starting to come true.”
Since Boogaloo’s passing, Roach Snr has carried the torch.
“Lamont is leading the way on the path built by my late cousin, Bernard Roach,” said Jordan Roach, 22. “This was always part of the plan.”
Jordan, the youngest son of Roach Snr, developed through the USA Boxing circuit before turning professional. Now fighting out of the No Xcuses Gym – which has also grown into a promotional platform – he has built a 7-0 record (2 KOs), with most of his bouts taking place in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. In January, he earned a six-round unanimous decision over Juan Hinostroza.
Benjamin Johnson, also undefeated at 7-0 with seven knockouts, brings an aggressive style reminiscent of David Benavidez inside the ring, while maintaining strong academic performance outside of it. Though not related by blood, Johnson has become part of the Roach family through years of training at No Xcuses Gym. The 21-year-old stopped Mario Meza in January and has witnessed the team’s rapid rise firsthand.
“It didn’t happen overnight,” Johnson said, “but it came together very quickly.”
Both Jordan and Johnson have already fought on Roach Jnr’s pay-per-view undercards, gaining valuable experience. More importantly, they’ve observed his preparation and discipline at the highest level.
“I look at Lamont as a big brother,” Johnson said. “All eyes are on him, and I can see myself there one day.”
Roach Jnr is now rumored to be targeting a June bout against William Zepeda for the vacant WBC lightweight title. For Jordan and Johnson, the experience of training alongside him is like a hands-on apprenticeship in championship boxing.
“Lamont takes them with him to see everything he does,” Roach Snr said. “They’re learning what it takes to be a champion.”
While Roach Jnr’s profile continues to grow – especially after the “jab heard round the world” that forced Davis to take a knee – the foundation of the team’s success always leads back to Boogaloo. His vision and guidance remain central to everything they do.
“He’s still with me,” Roach Snr said. “His spirit is here.”
Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @BigDogLukie.
