Lamont Roach Jr. was deep in training camp, gearing up for his upcoming clash against Isaac Cruz. The two are set to face off on December 6 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio for the interim WBC super lightweight title. However, just over a month before fight night, Roach Jr. was hit with unexpected heartbreak.

A child and their grandmother share a bond woven from love, stories, and timeless wisdom. Sadly for Lamont Roach Jr., that bond was broken when his beloved grandmother passed away. While the details surrounding her passing remain unclear, the 30-year-old took to X to share the devastating news in a heartfelt tribute.

Lamont Roach Jr. mourns the fleeting nature of time

Turning to X, the Washington native expressed his grief with heartfelt words. “Love and cherish your people while they are here,” he wrote. “This life on earth ain’t forever. RIP Grandma. No more suffering. You [saw] the vision way before I thought about being where I am today, and I love you the most for that. Hope I made you proud!”

While little is known publicly about his grandmother’s life, it’s evident that she played a major role in Roach Jr.’s upbringing. During a November 2024 podcast with Sommer Hill, Lamont Roach Jr. fondly reminisced about growing up in Washington, D.C., where he was widely recognized as his grandmother’s grandson.

“Everybody [knew] me from my grandmother’s house and all the oldheads would be like, ‘Yeah, that’s Roach’s grandson, right there,’” he recalled. He also shared a childhood memory that perfectly captured their closeness. “One time, I got caught writing on cars with my grandmother’s lipstick,” he laughed, remembering those days fondly.

“She was mad. No… [But] my grandmother [didn’t give me a whopping]… I was my grandmother’s fav.” Lamont Roach Jr. admitted she might not have said it openly to spare his cousins’ feelings, but privately, she made sure he knew. In her later years, she wasn’t always able to watch his fights live, but she tuned in whenever she could. 

“She [knew] her baby was going to be a star,” Roach Jr. said proudly. When asked if it was difficult for her to see him get punched, he smiled and replied, “She [saw] me get hit without gloves. Like I said, I got a lot of cousins where we wrestle, fight, play, tackle football outside in the street, so she probably [has] seen worse.”

Regardless, after sharing the heartbreaking news on X, the boxing community quickly united to offer condolences and support to Lamont Roach Jr.

Dan Rafael and Dan Canobbio pay their respects

Veteran boxing journalist Dan Rafael summed up his thoughts in a single word. “Condolences,” he wrote. He was soon joined by analyst Dan Canobbio, who echoed the sentiment, commenting, “My condolences champ.” Both have extensively covered Roach Jr. and his recent fight against Gervonta Davis—a bout where Lamont Roach Jr. came remarkably close to pulling off an upset victory.

Fans, too, flooded the comments with heartfelt messages. One wrote, “Condolences to your family and everyone who loved your grandmother. Rest in Heavenly Peace.” As his next fight against Isaac Cruz approaches, his performance will be a tribute to the woman who saw his potential long before the world did.

Another advised Lamont Roach Jr. to stay strong through the pain, saying, “Sorry for your loss, broski, keep on stepping & GMA proud of ya champ.” Winning his upcoming fight would not only add to Roach Jr.’s growing list of achievements but also serve as a proud moment for his entire family.

One fan even shared his own grief, writing, “Lost mine earlier this year, champ. It hurts, but she’s for sure proud.” 

Though Roach Jr. may no longer have his grandmother physically by his side, the love and support pouring in from fans and the boxing community serve as a powerful reminder—her influence continues to guide him. Do you have any final words for Lamont Roach Jr.?