Photos: Orlando Cruz Putting Work For Lamont Roach Clash

LOS ANGELES - Lamont Roach, Jr. (16-0, 6 KOs) will take a step toward contender status in the competitive super featherweight division when he faces the toughest test of his career against Orlando "El Fenomeno" Cruz (25-6-1, 13 KOs) in the 10-round main event of the April 19 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan.ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET /6:30 p.m. PT. ESPN3 will live stream the fights beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT.

Roach, Jr. is one of the best prospects of the exclusive Golden Boy Promotions stable. After a stellar amateur record through the NoXcuse Boxing Club, the 22-year-old native of Washington, D.C. debuted in April 2014.

Since then, Roach's combination of skill and technique earned him 12 straight victories before capturing the WBC Youth Super Featherweight title in January 2017. Since then, Roach, Jr. has defended his belt several times, including a dominant unanimous decision victory against Rey "Flash" Perez on the Nov. 30. edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN. Roach will look to take the next step in his career against toughest challenge to date.

"I'm excited for this fight, and I'm ready to perform at a high level on ESPN again," said Lamont Roach, Jr. "This fight is going to put me exactly where I need to be to show that I'm ready to be on a championship chase!"

Cruz is an experienced contender who participated in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. The 36-year-old has taken on world champions such as former two-division world champions Daniel Ponce De Leon and Orlando "Siri" Salido, along with WBO Lightweight World Champion "Turbo" Terry Flanagan. The former world title challenger will look to prevent Roach, Jr. from becoming a contender.

"I can say that this training camp has been one of the best of my career," said Orlando Cruz. "I feel blessed by God, who gives me strength and health to stay on top of my game. I will be 110% ready for this fight and to have a strong win on April 19 in Puerto Rico."