What’s Next For Lamont Roach?
Lamont Roach was prevented from getting a historic win against Gervonta Davis as we look at his next steps.
Roach secured a majority draw as Davis retained his WBA Lightweight Title. The result was controversial, with many feeling Roach had done enough to win. The turning point in the fight came in the ninth round. Davis took a knee before heading to his corner to wipe his eye after claiming he had grease in it. The referee failed to give Tank a count when he should have done so, preventing Roach from getting the win. This raises question marks over where Roach should go next.
“When you are sweating and s*** like that, the grease came into my face and it burnt my eyes. Yo why you all booing like I’m talking b*****?” Davis
“Gervonta is a great fighter. I thank him for the opportunity to show the world to all the people that was doubting me, all the people that was talking [rubbish] all the fake boxing media… even though I didn’t win tonight — I thought I did — but that’s a win for me in my book. But we not satisfied. We need a real W. But if you voluntarily take a knee and the ref starts counting that should be a knockdown. If that’s a knockdown I win the fight,” Roach
The Rematch
Roach wants to rematch Davis. He had shown enough to prove that he can compete at the highest level. He took Tank’s biggest shots and rocked him numerous times. The result prevented Roach from becoming a two-weight world champion, as he has the WBA belt at 130. Davis has said he is not keen to take the rematch next, meaning Roach may have to turn his attention elsewhere.
“I am not sure, bro. Definitely not sure. Hopefully, we can get it before, um, it probably won’t be this year. But it’s not gonna be next,” Davis said
Other Options
Roach could end up facing the WBA Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson. The latter attended the fight as he was impressed with Roach’s performance. Shakur is coming off his recent win when he beat Josh Padley to retain his title. Stevenson is keen on getting the Tank fight, as Eddie Hearn says that is the target. But Gervonta has suggested that it will not be Shakur next, leaving the door open for Lamont. Shakur has said he will fight Roach if Tank says not to the rematch.
“And if Lamont can’t get a rematch I got a big fight for him and a world title shot against me..That’s my bro but we def can make something happen, good s**t,” Stevenson said
Alternatively, Roach could go back down to 130 pounds. He is the WBA Champion, having won the belt against Hector Garcia. He made the first successful defense of the belt by beating Feargal McCrory. There is the opportunity to unify against the other champions, such as O’Shaquie Foster and Emanuel Navarrete, who hold the WBC and WBO belts, respectively. Either way, Roach has plenty of options moving forward. The Davis performance has only helped his cause.
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