By Ryan Burton

Jamel Herring (20-2) captured the WBO super featherweight back in May when he outpointed Masayuki Ito in South Florida.

Next up for Herring is a mandatory defense of his title against Lamont Roach (19-0-1) on November 9th in Fresno, California.

Herring ended up winning a comfortable decision over Ito but Roach believes that the Marine veteran will need more than that when they meet in the ring.

“He didn’t stand and trade with Ito. Jamel Herring stuck to what actually worked during the fight which was moving around and throwing his hook and stuff like that. Just know we have a lot of tricks in the bag and if he is not ready to go to war he for damn sure is going to be in trouble,” Roach recently told krikya360.com.

The 24-year-old Roach believes that he is facing Herring at the right moment. Prior to facing Jonathan Oquendo in his last fight, Roach fought 3 southpaws in a row.  He is confident that the experienced he gained from those fights coupled with his talent will be more than enough to secure him a victory and a world title.

“I just put it all (of that experience) together and take it in and bring it all to the table. Most of my last couple of fights were southpaws. I think 3 out of my last 4 opponents were southpaws if I’m not mistaken. And one of them was tall so just know we have been getting work in and work out. We will be ready for November 9th,” Roach stated.

Prior to the announcement of the fight, Herring stated repeatedly that he wanted to unify titles with Miguel Berchelt who holds the WBC title. When those plans fell through the WBO ordered Herring to face his mandatory challenger.

When asked if he thought Herring might overlooking him, Roach said, “he better be focused. I’m gonna tell you that now because at the end of the day you might not fight Berchelt unless he loses and y’all do a little conciliation match or whatever. I am interested. I’d like to fight Berchelt as well, shit.”

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