UK gains a new world champion as Lamont Roach to lose title on the first bell of Isaac Cruz fight

Just four months ago, the United Kingdom came close to its first baron boxing spell in almost four decades, but the country is now on verge of boasting a fourth male world champion.

In August, the hopes of the nation rested on the broad shoulders of WBA featherweight world champion Nick Ball, who remained as the only British world champion, as defeat would have ended a 37-year run of active champions for the country.

To the relief of British fight fans, Ball successfully overcame Australia’s Sam Goodman, where a close contest that could have gone either way was not reflected on the judges’ scorecards.

Fast-forward four months and both Lewis Crocker [IBF welterweight] and Fabio Wardley [WBO heavyweight] have also got their hands on world honours and a fourth fighter is now set to be crowned on Saturday night.

In San Antonio, WBA super-featherweight world champion Lamont Roach Jr steps up to super-lightweight to challenge Isaac Cruz for the WBC Interim strap at 140lbs, 18 months after his most recent 130lb title defence.

As a result, the WBA have decided to strip Roach Jr of his super-featherweight title when his fight with Cruz begins, simultaneously upgrading Liverpool-born WBA Interim titleholder, Jazza Dickens, to full world champion, as per Boxing Scene.

Dickens challenged Kid Galahad for the IBF featherweight world title back in 2021 but was halted in round 11, before going to claim the IBO featherweight crown just two fights later.

This year, up at super-featherweight, Dickens has twice defied the odds as an underdog, dominating both Zelfa Barrett and Albert Batyrgaziev in upset victories that are worthy of world champion status.

Dickens’ reign will be put to the test immediately, as he is scheduled to face Japan’s Hayato Tsutsumi on Saturday, December 27, in what will become a first attempted defence of world honours.