Lamont Roach Jr Reveals His One Major Demand Before Gervonta Davis Rematch Can Happen
Lamont Roach Jr has earned a rematch with Gervonta Davis at the very least.
The super-featherweight world champion moved up a division earlier this month to challenge ‘Tank’ Davis for his WBA Lightweight belt.
Despite being a heavy underdog, Roach put on an excellent showing, delivering on a pre-fight promise to give as good as he got against the big hitter from Baltimore. After twelve close rounds, one judge scored it in favour of the champion 115-113 whilst the other two had it 114-114, meaning a majority draw and ‘Tank’ retaining his belt.
The result is unfair in the eyes of most given the goings on of round nine. Davis took a knee and retreated to his corner for his coach to wipe his face with a towel. He would later say grease from a recent hair appointment had gotten in his eye.
Despite starting a count, referee Steve Willis stopped it and settled for a word with Davis. Had it been scored a 10-8 round in favour of Roach as per the rule book, he would have caused a massive upset and left the ring with the title. Davis could also have been disqualified for getting help from his corner mid-action.
With talk of an immediate rematch now ramping up, Roach told the It Is What It Is podcast that he is absolutely insisting Willis be nowhere near the ring next time around.
“Hell no. No, he can’t do the next fight … Look at how many times he f***ed the fight up. The knee, him going to the corner to get assistance.
“I’m not saying that he did any cheating s**t or nothing, but [coach] wiped his face with a towel – you can’t do that. You can’t do none of that. That’s a disqualifitcation. You turned your back on the ref after you took a knee. Usually the ref will be like, ‘all right, you don’t wanna fight no more.’ Fight’s off.”
Roach’s petition to the New York State Athletic Commission for the result to be overturned was denied, however both teams have confirmed an immediate rematch is the next move and reports suggest it could happen towards the end of June. Roach said:
“I’mma tell you right now, I’m signed and sealed. We waiting on the other half, that’s all.”