Adrian Roach: ‘I’m Calling It My Bulldozer Year’
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Adrian Roach says he is ready for his “bulldozer year” as he builds towards his dream of reaching the Olympic Games in Paris next year.
The 20-year-old has several amateur tournaments on the horizon as he looks to become the first Bermudian boxer to qualify for the Olympics since light middleweight Quinn Paynter at the Seoul Games in 1988.
Roach will represent the island at the Leonard “Boston Blackie” Miller/Wellington “Sonny Boy” Rahming Memorial Championships in Nassau, Bahamas, next month.
He will then prepare for the AIBA Men’s World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in May, where participants will compete for a share of the $5.2 million prize money.
The welterweight also has the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, in October, where the top two in each weight category will book their spots for Paris.
“This is the year I intend to get everything out of the way,” Roach told Bernews. “This year could define my amateur career. I’m calling it my bulldozer year! I must do well to have any chance of getting to the Olympics.
“I’m dialled in and want to get things done spectacularly. It’s my time to step up to the plate. It’s up to me to deliver.”
In preparation for his international competitions, Roach plans to head to Las Vegas in March for a six-week training stint under the tutelage of esteemed coach Kompa “Kay” Koroma, who has trained world champions Shakur Stevenson and Jarrett Hurd.
“Coach Kay is a decorated coach and has been in the corner with some great fighters,” said Roach, who will study remotely this semester before returning to Crandall University in Moncton, Canada, for his final year in September.
“He has had some Olympic medal-winners. I reached out to him; I’m delighted he’s willing to work with me.”
Roach fights Anthony Hernandez, of the United States, at The Shed, Dockyard, on Saturday, spending the past few months sparring with local professional Andre Lambe, who faces Cristiano Lucio for the vacant American Boxing Organisation [ABO] regional welterweight title.
“I’ve been helping Andre get ready for his fight,” said Roach, who has won 16 of his 21 bouts. “They thought my skillset could be an asset to his team.
“It’s good to practise my style over more rounds against a professional as amateurs only box three-round fights.
“I’ve been keeping the amateur-style pace over the six or seven rounds they need for Andre. That’s helped my endurance.
“Hopefully, my opponent comes to fight, and we put on a beautiful night of boxing for Bermuda.”
