Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach are gearing up for a rematch this summer. The fight follows their controversial majority draw in March, which left fans and fighters alike questioning the outcome.
Former two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi shared his thoughts on the upcoming bout. He didn't pull any punches when discussing Davis's mental state.
"Davis has been rumored to have a lot of b**ch in him, a lot of frontrunner in him," Malignaggi said in an interview. "He'll break and fold if you push him."
Malignaggi pointed out that Davis's carefully managed career might have hidden this weakness. Davis has often been matched against significant underdogs, with odds as wide as 15 and 20-1 in his favor.
The first fight between Davis and Roach ended in a majority draw. One judge scored it 115-113 for Davis, while two others had it even at 114-114. The ninth round proved controversial when Davis took a knee, and Roach believed it should have been scored a knockdown. A 10-8 round for Roach would have swung the fight in his favor.
Malignaggi suggested that Roach's familiarity with Davis could give him an edge. Both fighters hail from the DC area and have faced each other in amateur bouts.
"Davis showed signs of mental weakness in the first fight," Malignaggi continued. "There was fouling, an alleged biting attempt, and taking a knee. He's mentally weak but physically talented."
The former champ, who has experience in successful rematches against Juan Diaz and Lovemore Ndou, offered a strategy for facing Davis.
"The key is to measure the pressure and bring out his weakness in the later rounds," he advised.
As the boxing world waits for this highly-anticipated rematch, all eyes will be on Davis to see if he can silence his critics and prove his mental toughness in the ring.
