WBA super featherweight world champion Hector Luis Garcia is gearing up to collide with mandatory challenger Lamont Roach.
Their fight takes place on November 25 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
The contest will open up the Showtime pay-per-view telecast to the super middleweight clash between David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade.
Garcia (16-1, 10 KOs) will look to bounce back after suffering his first career defeat.
Back in January, Garcia moved up to the lightweight division to challenger WBA ‘regular’ beltholder Gervonta Davis. After a solid start, the power of Davis would eventually catch up with Garcia, who was stopped after nine rounds of action.
Garcia, trained by respected trainer Bob Santos, scored one of the biggest upsets of 2022 when he dropped and decisioned Chris Colbert in February of that year. Nearly six months later, Garcia secured a one-sided unanimous decision over incumbent Roger Gutierrez in August.
“I’m happy to be back returning to the ring and fighting at my natural weight,” said Garcia. “I’m really looking forward to getting in there and defending my title against Lamont Roach. He’s a tough opponent, but I’m at my best at super featherweight and I’ll be ready for everything he brings. I’m having a great training camp and I can’t wait to show the world the adjustments I’ve made since the Gervonta Davis fight.”
The 28-year-old Roach (23-1-1, 9 KOs) enters this fight on a four-bout winning streak, earning his position at 130 pounds by defeating Angel Rodriguez via unanimous decision in their July 2022 title eliminator.
“He couldn’t run for long, but we’re finally here,” said Roach. “I’m extremely excited for this fight and this opportunity. The world is going to get used to their new world champion and it starts when I get my hand raised on November 25.”