“Lamont Roach is an amazing fighter,” De La Hoya told DAZN Boxing. “The fact that he’s coming off two draws against amazing fighters, which he should have won. I believe he beat Tank Davis. I believe he beat ‘Pitbull.’ So, the fact that he’s coming off two draws, the fact that Zepeda lost to Shakur Stevenson, both guys have something to prove, and you’re going to see it on Saturday night.”

De La Hoya believes Roach benefited from testing himself against elite opposition.

“He’s evolving, he’s growing, mentally and physically,” said De La Hoya. “When he was facing Tank Davis, there’s nothing better than facing Tank Davis and growing as a fighter. He’s becoming a whole fighter finally in his career, and he’s going to be a dangerous fighter come Saturday night.”

The verdict against Davis remains one of boxing’s most disputed decisions from the last two years. Roach was denied a potential knockout victory when referee Steve Willis ruled Davis’ ninth-round kneel was not a knockdown. Opinion remains divided over Roach’s majority draw with Cruz as well.

Saturday’s fight gives Roach an opportunity to settle the discussion inside the ring. Winning the vacant WBC lightweight title against Zepeda would strengthen De La Hoya’s argument that the Maryland native belongs with the best fighters at 135 pounds.