Gervonta “Tank” Davis Retains Title in Controversial Draw Against Lamont Roach Jr.
In a night that left boxing fans buzzing with mixed emotions, Gervonta “Tank” Davis managed to hold onto his WBA lightweight title, but not without controversy. The fight against Lamont Roach Jr. ended in a majority draw, a result that surprised many who expected Davis to cruise to victory. Davis, who shares the spotlight as one of boxing’s biggest stars alongside Canelo Alvarez, found himself in a much tougher battle than anticipated. With a record now standing at 30-0-1, 28 KOs, the question on everyone’s mind is whether Davis is as invincible as he seemed.
Despite the unexpected outcome, Davis remains undefeated, though his reputation took a hit after the Saturday night showdown at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It’s not uncommon for boxing’s elite to face a challenging fight or two, and history shows that the sting of such nights often fades with time. However, the immediate question is: What comes next for Davis?
Should Davis Grant Roach a Rematch?
This is where things get interesting. Anyone who watched the fight would likely agree that Roach deserves another shot at Davis. Roach exceeded expectations, and his style seemed to pose significant challenges for Davis. After the fight, Davis expressed a willingness to face Roach again, but his comments at the post-fight news conference suggested a rematch might not happen soon.
“[The rematch with Roach] probably won’t be this year,” Davis said. “It’s definitely the fight I want next, but it’s not going to be next.”
While Roach may not be favored in a potential rematch, the blame for the draw is more likely to fall on Davis for possibly underestimating his opponent. The expectation is that Davis would handle business in a rematch, much like Floyd Mayweather did against Jose Luis Castillo in 2002. Mayweather narrowly escaped with a decision victory in their first encounter but won decisively in the rematch seven months later.
However, unlike Mayweather, who was still climbing the ranks, Davis is already a star. A rematch with Roach might not offer much in terms of financial gain or career advancement. Unless Davis is driven by a desire to correct the record, he might opt to explore other opportunities.
Who Could Be Next for Davis?
One potential blockbuster fight could be against Shakur Stevenson, a clash that would pit Davis’s offensive prowess against Stevenson’s defensive skills. However, Stevenson’s recent alignment with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and his association with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, complicates matters. Davis has been vocal about his reluctance to work with Alalshikh, making a fight with Stevenson seem unlikely.
The same complications apply to a potential bout with 140-pound champion Teofimo Lopez Jr., who is part of an upcoming tripleheader in Times Square alongside Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia.
- Options at 140 pounds under the Premier Boxing Champions banner are limited for Davis.
- He could pursue a world title against WBC junior welterweight champion Alberto Puello, who recently defeated Sandor Martin.
- A fight with Top Rank’s Keyshawn Davis to unify belts at 135 pounds could appeal to hardcore fans, but Keyshawn is still building his name.
- A bout with Vasiliy Lomachenko seems unlikely as Lomachenko is contemplating retirement, though it would be a significant event if it happened.
Ultimately, Davis’s options for his next fight are not clear-cut. Unless he decides to work with Alalshikh, finding a high-profile opponent who could offer a bigger payday than a Roach rematch might be challenging. While he could face a lesser-known fighter, fans are eager to see Davis take on the best between 135 and 140 pounds.
Despite the uncertainty, Davis’s star power remains undeniable. He can still draw large crowds, as evidenced by the 19,250 in attendance on Saturday, and generate solid pay-per-view numbers without needing a marquee opponent. The draw with Roach might be nagging at him, and a rematch could be on the horizon.
But for now, we’ll have to wait and see what Davis decides in the coming months.
Originally Written by: Andreas Hale
