Davis vs. Roach Jr. Rematch Considered For June

The Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. rematch is being eyed for June 21. 

There is a narrative to run things back following the controversial result of the first fight. Davis secured a majority draw to retain his WBA Lightweight Title, but looking back, he had gotten away with avoiding defeat. The referee did not call a 10-8 round for Roach when Davis took a knee in the ninth round. Tank justified his decision to walk to his corner to wipe some grease from his face. But under the rules of boxing, the count should have been administered. 

“I didn’t want to get caught while my eyes were burning, you can get knocked out like that. So I’d rather take the knee. But I didn’t know that you could get disqualified for all that. When he (the referee) started counting, I’m like, ‘What the hell?,” Davis stated 

That decision prevented Roach from becoming a two-weight world champion by picking up Tank’s WBA Lightweight Title. Roach’s team made an appeal to the New York State Athletic Commission to overturn the decision. Despite their attempts, the original ruling stood. Davis received a lot of backlash from the boxing community with suggestions that he is not as good as he claims to be. He had spoken previously about wanting to retire this year with a view to fighting three times more.

“During the round in question, following the commission’s request for the replay video, there was a technical issue preventing the commission from receiving it within the allotted time for review. Therefore, the referee’s in-ring decision was relied upon and the fight continued. The commission is dedicated to preserving the integrity of combative sports. And, is committed to working with all promotions and production teams — on behalf of the athletes, officials, and fans — to ensure technical issues do not occur in the future that prevent the delivery of ringside instant replay feeds to the commission’s officials when needed,” NYSC Commission

Will It Happen?

Names such as Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez and Ryan Garcia were mentioned. Tank’s biggest win in his career has been the Garcia fight. But that result came under fire since he fought Ryan at a 136-pound catchweight with a ten-pound rehydration clause. He has also been accused of avoiding Shakur, who is the WBC Lightweight Champion. Shakur is seen as the biggest threat to his reign in the weight class.

Meanwhile a fight with Devin Henry had been linked throughout the years, while Davis has been dismissive of Teofimo. Tank’s plans will now have to be reviewed in light of the draw. It also means that Davis must now question whether he wants to take the rematch and risk coming up short or receive criticism from boxing firms for potentially ducking Roach. Boxing fans have plenty to say about an impending Roach rematch.