Lamont Roach Jr. Feels 'Disrespected' After Gervonta Davis Walks Away From Rematch

Davis Backs Out, Plans Jake Paul Exhibition

Following their majority draw at Barclays Center, Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) triggered an immediate rematch clause but postponed the fight twice first in June and then in August. Instead, the WBA lightweight champion announced a cruiserweight exhibition bout against social media star Jake Paul on November 14 in Miami’s Kaseya Center.

That move effectively ended the rematch hopes for Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs), who believed Davis would want redemption after their controversial first fight one that many fans and observers thought Roach had won.

“If I were to go to arbitration, then what? Then you gotta pay lawyer fees or you put your promotional company in the hole,” Roach said, noting that his contract was with Davis’ promotional team. “They’re the ones puttin’ on the fight. That’s who draws up the agreement. It’s crazy to do business that way.”

The Controversy That Sparked It All

Their March clash was filled with drama from start to finish. Judge Eric Marlinski scored it 115-113 for Davis, while Glenn Feldman and Steve Weisfeld both had it 114-114, resulting in a draw.

But the defining moment came in the ninth round, when Davis took a knee 43 seconds in yet no knockdown was counted by referee Steve Willis. Davis claimed that a foreign substance from his hair got in his eye and immediately went to his corner mid-round to have it wiped off. Under different circumstances, the act could have resulted in a disqualification.

Roach believes that sequence and the officiating robbed him of the clear victory he earned in the ring.

Moving On: Isaac Cruz Awaits

With Davis officially walking away from the rematch, Roach has turned his attention to a new challenge. The WBA super featherweight champion is moving up two divisions to face Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, the WBC interim 140-pound champion, in a Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view main event on December 6 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.

The jump from 130 to 140 pounds represents both a physical and symbolic step up for Roach who’s ready to prove that his performance against Davis was no fluke.

“Why That Man Ducking You?”

Roach says the public perception has flipped dramatically since March, with fans questioning Davis’ willingness to face him again.

“All you gonna hear is, ‘Why that man ducking you?’” Roach said. “I’ve been to Baltimore. I had a lunch or two there. I hear the same thing every time. ‘Oh, big fan. But why that man ducking you?’ That’s all I hear. It’s crazy.”

The Maryland native isn’t holding his breath for Davis to revisit the rivalry, but his focus remains on capitalizing on the momentum he built by standing toe-to-toe with one of boxing’s biggest names.

“I try to let it go, but it’s hard to let go because that’s what everybody talks about,” Roach admitted.

Lamont Roach may have lost the rematch he deserved, but he’s gained something else public respect and recognition as a legitimate threat across multiple divisions.

And while Gervonta Davis prepares for a crossover exhibition with Jake Paul, Roach will be chasing another statement win this time against Isaac Cruz determined to remind the boxing world that his unfinished business in the ring still speaks louder than anyone’s promotional politics.