Gervonta "Tank" Davis is set to defend his WBA lightweight title against Lamont Roach Jr. on Saturday, March 1, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
This highly anticipated clash marks Davis's continued ascent as one of boxing's biggest stars and poses significant challenges for Roach, who is eager to prove himself after moving up from the super featherweight division.
With a perfect professional record of 30-0, including 28 knockouts, Davis has established himself as one of the most formidable punchers in the sport. He's won titles in two weight classes—super featherweight and lightweight—and is now aiming to solidify his reign against Roach, who boasts of his own impressive record of 25 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, with only 10 knockouts.
At the heart of their matchup is not just the title but also their shared history. Both fighters competed as amateurs, with Davis winning their previous encounters, adding layers of rivalry to this professional showdown. Roach, reflecting on their amateur days, stated, "I think [the amateur experience] will play a significant role. Outside of us sharing the ring together, there is stuff I know I will use for our advantage." He’s determined to leverage this knowledge during the fight.
Betting experts are leaning heavily toward Davis, who is considered the overwhelming favorite with odds around -1800, compared to Roach's +975. Dan Rafael and TJ Rives, boxing analysts, have also shared their insights, favoring Davis to win by knockout due to his incredible power and experience. Rafael went even as far to suggest Roach may last beyond the eighth round, backing the over 8.5 rounds as his selection.
The fight will be broadcast live on Prime Video, with the main card starting at 8 p.m. ET and the ring walks scheduled for approximately 10 p.m. ET. Fans can expect other exciting matchups on the card, including Jose Valenzuela vs. Gary Antuanne Russell for the WBA junior welterweight title and Alberto Puello facing Sandor Martin for the WBC junior welterweight title.
Roach's path to this title fight has not been easy. After experiencing his first professional defeat against former champion Jamel Herring, he worked hard to regain his footing and found success with five consecutive wins, solidifying his position as the WBA junior lightweight champion. Now, with the opportunity to challenge for the WBA lightweight title, he is ready for the fight of his career. "The tenacity I'm going to have with it is going to be something he is definitely not used to," Roach promised. "It's going to be the total package. It's going to be one of the best fights of the year, I promise you."
Analysts expect Davis to start slow, as he often does, assessing his opponents before ramping up the pressure. Roach is anticipated to have some initial success using his reach advantage and active jab, but the knockout prowess of Davis—whose 93.3% knockout rate is among the highest in boxing—is likely to make the difference as the fight progresses. With Davis's ability to capitalize on defensive lapses, he might exploit Roach’s mistakes and secure the victory, likely through one of his signature knockout punches.
The matchup has garnered significant attention, not just for its importance but also for the potential historical significance. It could become the highest-grossing boxing event yet for The Barclays Center, underscoring Davis's draw as a headliner.
With the boxing world buzzing about this bout, fans won't want to miss the action as Davis looks to continue his reign and Roach attempts to stake his claim among the elite fighters. "It's going to be the fight of my life, and I cannot wait to show everyone what I can do," Roach added fervently before the anticipated clash.
Bookmark your calendars for March 1 and prepare for thrilling boxing action featuring one of the sport’s brightest stars as he steps back between the ropes to defend his title.