WBA junior lightweight titleholder Lamont Roach Jr. is set to make his first world title defense in his hometown of Washington D.C., on June 28.

Roach (24-1-1, 9 KOs) impressed in his most recent outing, capturing the title from Hector Luis Garcia, and now turns his attention to his first defense, against undefeated Northern Irishman Feargal McCrory (16-0, 8 KOs).

“Becoming world champion was the greatest feeling in my life,” Roach said. “I’ve been waiting for that for a long time, since I was a kid, so fulfilling a dream come true was amazing.

“Beating Hector Garcia was the culmination of hard work paying off. That victory was a testament to my skills. But I want to put the division on notice against McCrory.”

Roach, who has previously fought in his hometown only twice, and not since an eight-round decision over Jesus Lule in 2016, is excited about putting on a show for his local following at Washington’s ESA Arena.

“I can’t wait to fight in D.C.,” he said. “We’ve been waiting for this for years, D.C. has been waiting for this. I’m the first world champion since Lamont Peterson to fight at home and on the big stage, so it’s going to be special.

“I’m going to show I’m on a different level than McCrory, and I’m training as if I’m fighting a unification and that I’m on a level to unify the division.”

Lamont Roach Sr., head of NoXcuse Promotions, which will put on the June 28 card, envisions even bigger things in the offing for his son.

“This is only the beginning, and we are looking forward to Lamont Roach Jr. showcasing his skills and showing the world that he is the best super featherweight in the division.”

WASHINGTON – D.C. police say one person is dead, and two others remain hospitalized, after overnight shootings in the District.

The violence began in southwest Washington just after 12:40 a.m. Monday when officers found a man suffering from gunshot wounds in the 100 block of Ivanhoe Street. He was taken to the hospital. No suspects have been identified.

Just after 1:05 a.m., a man suffering from gunshot wounds was found unconscious and not breathing in the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace in the southeast. The man died at the scene. Police say the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system detected the sound of at least four gunshots. No suspects have been identified. The name of the victim has not been released.

Detectives were investigating a shooting at 8th and V Street in the northwest around 2:24 a.m. when a man with gunshot wounds walked into a nearby hospital seeking treatment. No suspects have been identified in connection with this shooting.

Anyone with information regarding any of the shootings is asked to call police.

A Holocaust-era replica cattle car will be on display at the National Mall in Washington DC on May 6 until May 9, where visitors will be able to engage with a learning experience about the Holocaust and antisemitism.

Elected and appointed officials are expected to be among the thousands of anticipated visitors attending the exhibit.

Organized by the nonprofit Hate Ends Now, the traveling exhibit included a 20 minute immersive presentation alongside a rare collection of original Holocaust artifacts. The cattle car is an exact replica of a World War II era cattle car used to transport Jews and other targeted groups to concentration and death camps by Nazi forces. 

The exhibit at the mall will coincide with Holocaust Remembrance Day on May 6, which also marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. 

“Placing the Hate Ends Now cattle car in the capital of the free world during a time of alarming increase in antisemitism globally sends a powerful message, reminding us of what happens when hate is allowed to go unchecked,” said Todd Cohn, CEO of Hate Ends Now. “People of all ages have a visceral reaction when they step foot in the Cattle Car and when it seemingly comes to life with the voices, pictures, and stories of this dark era.”

What is in the exhibit?

Trained docents greet visitors outside of the cattle car, where they educate the public with the exhibit and provide critical context and frame the presentation. 

Accompanying the exhibit are 25 original artifacts from the Holocaust; which have rarely been permitted outside of museum walls. The public then sees and hears firsthand accounts from Holocaust survivors. 

“Amid sharp increases in antisemitism across the country, the need to bring the cattle car to more people is greater than ever before,” added Cohn. “Particularly for people who do not connect as much with a textbook or museum, or don’t otherwise have access to educational opportunities like this.  It is the perfect learning experience.” 

The National Mall cattle car exhibit is sponsored by the Biden-Harris administration through the US Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Federal Inter-Agency Holocaust Remembrance Committee. Other sponsors include the US Department of Veteran Affairs, Jewish Federations of North America, ADL, American Jewish Committee, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, Edlavitch JCC, and 3GDC.