Lamont Roach already has his next project.
The reigning WBA 130-pounder knew the mandatory title defense was close to his last fight. One such step was taken on Tuesday, when the WBA ordered Roach to face Russia's Albert Batyrgaziev next. Both sides were given until August 22 to reach an agreement and avoid a fund bid hearing.
“I [WBA] sent a formal notice to both parties on Tuesday, July 23 and gave 30 days to conclude negotiations,” the sanctions agency announced on Tuesday. “The decision is based on the rule of the tournament C.10, which states that the champion must defend the title against the next person who may be higher within nine (9) months from the day he became the champion.
“In Roach's case, he won the title on November 25, 2023 and his next defense expires on August 24 of this year. [He] he must measure himself against Batyrgaziev in his next fight.”
Roach (25-1-1, 10 knockouts) is The Ring's No. 4-rated junior lightweight. Albert Batyrgaziev (12-0, 8 KOs) started at No. 8 earlier this month.
Both fighters are coming off of wins just two weeks apart.
Roach submitted the first defense of his title with an eighth-round technical stop over undefeated Feargal McCrory (16-1, 8 KOs). The June 28 fight took place in Washington, DC, Roach's first fight in his hometown in nearly seven years.
It came seven months after he dethroned then-undefeated WBA 130-pound titlist Hector Garcia (16-2, 10 KOs), No. 7 at 130, on Nov. 25 past Las Vegas. In all, Roach has won six in a row since losing on Nov. 2019 to then WBO junior lightweight belt holder Jamel Herring in Fresno, California.
Batyrgaziev has battled a fast rate of opposition even before his Gold medal run three years ago in Tokyo.
The undefeated Russian was crowned champion in July 2020, just in time for the Tokyo Olympics. He was armed with three victories when the quadrennial classic rolled around one year later. He ran into a talented featherweight field, including Tsendbaatar Erdenebat (10-0, 5 KOs), Lazaro Alvarez (7-0, 4 KOs) and Duke Ragan (9-0, 1 KO) to bring home the Gold.
Batyrgaziev has since added nine more wins to his pro tally, including a decision win over Alvarez last December 9 in Dubai. He won the interim WBA 130-pound title in the ninth round of Jono Carroll on July 13 in Serpukhov, Russia.
According to WBA rule C.13, Roach and Batyrgaziev must commit to current negotiations.
Roach cannot look for another opponent as he is within 60 days of the deadline to honor his mandatory title defense. Should he fail to progress, Batyrgaziev will be promoted to full title holder.
On the other hand, Batyrgaziev's interim title will be stripped from existence if he doesn't respect the order in place to face Roach next.
The exception in both cases would be if both parties agree to face different opposition. It still needs to be approved by the WBA.
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