Lamont Roach voices his opinion that Subriel Matias, the WBC light welterweight titleholder, ought to relinquish his belt following a detected presence of Ostarine.
Roach Aims for Undisputed Championship
Roach (25 victories, 1 defeat, 2 draws, 10 knockouts) anticipates an opportunity to ascend to the status of full WBA 140-lb champion, contingent on his triumph over interim WBC titleholder Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (28 victories, 3 defeats, 1 draw, 18 knockouts) scheduled for Saturday evening, December 6th, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Should the WBA decide to relieve Matias of his championship due to the aforementioned positive test result, Roach aims to capitalize on the situation, provided he emerges victorious on Saturday night. While acknowledging that it isn’t his preferred avenue to championship glory, Roach remains unwilling to dismiss the possibility.
Securing the WBA title would afford him the leverage to negotiate a unification clash against the victor of the anticipated showdown between WBO titleholder Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson, potentially granting him access to lucrative opportunities.
“My singular focus in that arena is to dismantle the individual stationed across from me,” Lamont Roach conveyed to Fight Hub TV, emphasizing his concentration on the upcoming battle against Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz on Saturday night. “I intend to engage in both,” Roach affirmed, referencing his involvement in both the 135 and 140 weight divisions.
Concerns Regarding Power at 140 lbs
Roach isn’t particularly recognized for his knockout prowess. Consequently, his assertion that his objective is to “dismantle the other guy” suggests an external influence on his pronouncements.
“As the interim champion, my team and I will resolutely advocate for a title opportunity against the reigning WBC 140-lb champion, Subriel Matias, should I prevail against Cruz on Saturday night,” Roach declared, expressing his ambition for a title shot.
Matias represents a difficult opponent for Roach, whose power was already limited at 130 pounds. Progressing to 140, the deficit in his punch strength will likely become even more pronounced.
“I firmly believe that individuals should face penalties or bans for engaging in unethical conduct,” Roach asserted when questioned regarding Matias’s positive test for a prohibited performance-enhancing substance. “Ostarine is exclusively sourced from illicit markets.”
“Accidental ingestion of Ostarine through dietary sources is implausible unless intentionally introduced. I advocate for stricter sanctions, and boxing should not provide refuge for those who engage in dishonest practices,” Roach emphasized.
