Jim Lampley Breaks Down Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis vs Lamont Roach

“Going into his March 1 135-pound title fight against southpaw power puncher Tank Davis, 130-pound titlist Lamont Roach Jr has done his best to portray optimism. He has pointed out that he saw Davis in the amateur ranks and is already familiar with the 135-pound champion’s precision power style. He has underlined his motivation to begin fulfilling his dreams of building a legend. He has observed the moneymaking platform that would ensue from an upset win. But what he has yet to do is to present a convincing outline for how he can solve a puzzle that has produced a lengthy series of spectacularly violent knockouts and made Tank Davis one of the biggest and most upwardly mobile names in boxing.

“Even if Tank did not possess his shocking punching power, he would be an elite lightweight on the basis of his crafty boxing, southpaw style advantage, clever footwork and visible killer instinct. But it is pure power that really sets him apart. He doesn’t just beat his opponents, he annihilates them in breathtaking, often scary fashion. Like a career predator, he approaches his kills patiently, behaving like a counterpuncher, and then suddenly explodes into irrepressible violence to produce sudden finishes. His knockouts are picturesque, not unlike what we saw from Mike Tyson in the developmental stage of his career. Davis is now well beyond the developmental stage, but he is still outclassing shocked opponents.

“Roach has a quality background and is a highly competent boxer. But when I asked the most experienced boxing writer I know what chance he gave to Roach in this fight, the answer was ‘the same chance I give to a caterpillar crawling in the way of a steamroller.’

“Davis by middle round rescue TKO.  Onward to potential matchups with Vasyl Lomachenko, Shakur Stevenson, and/or Keyshawn Davis, any of whom would have a better chance than Roach.”