Adrian Roach Heading To Vegas For Training
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermudian amateur boxer Adrian Roach will hone his craft at a two-week training camp under esteemed coach Kay Koroma in Las Vegas next month.
Roach, who recently fought at the Brampton Cup in Ontario, Canada, for Crandall University, will train three times a day at the DLX Boxing Gym for the duration of the trip.
Koroma is among the top coaches in the United States, having trained world champions such as Shakur Stevenson and Jarrett Hurd.
“Kay Koroma is an accomplished coach and has coached multiple fighters to medals at the Olympic Games,” Roach told Bernews.
“It will be an intensive two weeks of training. I know I’ll return to Bermuda a more accomplished fighter.
“It’s been a long time in the works; I’ve been talking to him [Koroma] for about a year or so.
“I haven’t been able to get out there because of injuries, but I’m delighted we’re finally getting the ball rolling.”
Roach has several bouts scheduled for Crandall University over the next few months as he builds towards the World Olympic Boxing Qualifier in Bangkok, Thailand, from May 23 to June 3.
Bangkok will host the allocation of the final 51 spots for the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, distributed across six women’s and seven men’s weight classes.
The 22-year-old, who trains locally at Controversy Gym under coach Leo Richardson, said he expects to join the pro ranks at the end of the year or early next year.
“The possibilities are endless for me this year,” said Roach, who fights at welterweight or super-welterweight.
“Turning pro is an option for me. These days, you can compete at certain amateur events as a professional, so I could still represent Bermuda and continue to develop my skill set.
“I want to stick to my roots in Bermuda [as a professional] and continue to work Leo, my main coach, and guys like Jermal Woolridge, Troy Darrell, Pelon Andre, and Mikey Parsons.
“I know I’ll have to expand my boundaries and go to the US for sparring and training, but I intend to stick with the guys who have taken me from the ground up.”
Roach has thanked his three main sponsors, Sentinel Defence Group, Buzz Café, and Beyond Inclusion, for helping fund his trip to Las Vegas from March 2 to 17.
“These sponsors have been very loyal and dedicated to me in my boxing journey,” added Roach, who has won 23 of 31 bouts.
“They have given me so much more outside sponsorship for this training camp in Las Vegas. I’m very grateful to them.”
