'Tank' Davis last fought in June 2024. He stopped Frank Martin in what was his first defense as the newly-elevated champion at 135 pounds. After that win, Davis tried to set up a unification bout with Vasiliy Lomachenko. But Lomachenko pulled out, saying he didn't want to fight this year.
Dan Rafael reported the news about Davis' next fight on Twitter. He said it would be a "regional grudge match" between Davis and Roach, who's from D.C.
Roach is a decorated amateur. He's on a run of six wins, including a victory over Hector Luis Garcia, who Davis has also beaten. Roach's only title fight was a loss to Jamel Herring at super-featherweight.
When former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney heard about the fight, he laughed on Twitter. Davis didn't like that and fired back.
Nahh let's keep laughing.. ya face hate to see a left hook coming..????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Davis posted this with a picture of Haney taking a shot from Ryan Garcia. He also compared their fights against Garcia. Davis stopped Garcia with a body shot in 2023. Haney beat Garcia by decision, but that result was later changed to no contest because of failed doping tests.
Fans want to see Davis and Haney fight each other. They're both young American fighters at the top of the sport. But for now, Haney has no return date set. He's the WBC super-lightweight champion, and Teofimo Lopez just turned down an offer to unify with him.
If Davis moves up to 140 pounds after this fight with Roach, we might see him and Haney face off in the future.