Boxing: Adrian Roach Wins Fight In Canada
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermudian amateur boxer Adrian Roach made a winning return to the ring after defeating local fighter Faraz Sheikh in Scarborough, Ontario, on Friday [October 13].
Roach was representing Crandall University in Moncton, New Brunswick, and competing for the first time since the American Boxing Confederation Junior, Youth, and Women’s Championships in Cali, Colombia, in August.
The 21-year-old won the three-round welterweight bout on points and believes he became increasingly dominant throughout the fight.
He was scheduled to fight again in Ottawa on Sunday, but his opponent failed to make weight.
“I had a slow start but picked it up and was learning with each round,” Roach told Bernews. “By the third round, I almost stopped him.
“One more round and I could have finished the job. It was good to get back in the ring and dust off a few cobwebs.”
Roach, who has won 21 of his 27 amateur contests, will look to build on his victory when he faces American Luis Portillo at The Shed in Dockyard next Saturday [October 28].
He also has three bouts in as many days scheduled for Crandall University – one in New York and two in Houston, Texas – from November 10 to 12.
“Fighting at home really amps me up,” Roach said. “I always look to put on a good show and not make any mistakes.
“I haven’t fought in Bermuda since January, as I missed the previous event over the summer because of Olympic qualifiers.”
With two more opportunities to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, in Busto Arsizio in Italy in February and Bangkok, Thailand, in May, Roach said he feels he has plenty still to achieve in the amateur ranks.
“I’m enjoying the amateur set-up, but I see what’s in store for me [as a professional],” he added.
“I’ve got plenty of time to turn pro, and I’m just weighing up my options.
“My body feels good. I had a shoulder injury earlier in the year, but I’ve had no real problems with it, and training has been going really well.
“I’m getting into my groove, and everything is great right now.”
