Lamont Roach Jr. continues his climb for another title shot, sending a message in his latest performance.

The junior lightweight contender made quick work of Daniel Rosas, scoring a second-round knockout in their preliminary bout Friday afternoon at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.

Not generally known as a knockout puncher, Roach jumped out to an aggressive start. The D.C.-based boxer hits much harder than his record suggests, a painful lesson that Rosas was forced to endure. The faded former title challenger from Mexico City found himself under siege late in round one, rocked by a right hand upstairs as Roach applied heavy pressure with every intention of closing the show as early as possible.

That moment would come one round later.

Rosas was pinned along the ropes, where Roach stunned the 31-year-old with a left hook upstairs before connecting with a right hand to the body to produce the bout’s lone knockdown. Referee Jerry Cantu sensed that Rosas (22-5-1, 14KOs) was done for the night, waving off the contest at 2:14 of round two.

Roach improves to 21-1-1 (9KOs), picking up his second straight knockout in the process. Both wins came following the lone loss of his career, when he dropped a competitive but clear twelve-round, unanimous decision to reigning WBO junior lightweight Jamel Herring in November 2019.

With Friday’s win, Roach will now set his sights on another upcoming junior lightweight title shot. The 25-year-old specifically called for Golden Boy Promotions to line him up with the winner of the forthcoming rematch between WBA “World” 130-pound titlist Roger Gutierrez and former titlist Rene Alvarado tentatively slated for August 14 in Texas.

Roach-Rosas aired live on Golden Boy and DAZN social media channels preceding a four-fight DAZN telecast headlined by a light heavyweight clash between Gilberto Ramirez (41-0, 27KOs) and Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14KOs).

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox