Lamont Roach Jr. Has No ‘Animosity’ Towards Gervonta Davis

Talking to Fight Hub TV, Roach revealed that all the callouts and fiery words were in the spirit of competition.

“Well, it’s not really animosity. It’s competition. That’s where we are with it. It ain’t animosity. I don’t got no problem with him. He got no problem with me. He might have taken a bit offense to, you know, the people showing up for me. But what do you expect? You’re in my backyard,” he said.

Meanwhile, he is certain about not being seen as someone who lost to a guy planning to retire. Highlighting that boxing is an equally mental game as it is a physical one, he mentioned that while Davis desires to retire, he will be preparing for the best version of his opponent. And failing to do so will be a “disservice” to himself.

“That’s what I’m saying. I don’t care what anybody else has to say. At the end of the day, it’s me and him competing against each other. So if I’m going to be the best man that night, I’m going to be the best man that night. No excuses, nothing,” he said. He also extended support to his upcoming opponent and his decision to ‘retire’ by adding, “He might really feel that way though. People look at boxers and forget that we’re real people. If he really be feeling that necessarily not my issue.”

“Already Succumbed To His heights”

Roach is here to destroy the mystique of Tank Davis. Talking to CBS Sports, he revealed that many lose to Davis because they are intimidated by his notoriety and the pedestal where he is placed.

“So, I think that’s where people make their first mistake with Tank, in particular. They already succumbed to his heights. They already fall short before the fight starts anyway,” he said. “Obviously, he’s a big puncher and a boxer, but when you are a great fighter yourself, it’s something you are aware of. There is that natural anxiety, but there’s no fear. There’s no fear at all.”