The first fight ended in a majority draw. One judge scored it 115-113 for Davis, while the other two had it even at 114-114. Many fans felt Roach should have won, especially after a key moment in the ninth round when Davis took a knee but wasn't scored a knockdown.
Davis, known as 'Tank', shared his thoughts on the first fight in a recent interview.
"I didn't get the decision I wanted but we didn't get a loss. I thought I won it with the last couple of rounds."
Despite the controversy, Davis showed respect for his opponent, saying, "It's cool, Lamont is a great fighter."
The lightweight division has opened up recently with Vasiliy Lomachenko's retirement. This change could lead to more opportunities for the winner of Davis-Roach II. Raymond Muratalla, the current interim IBF champion, is expected to be promoted to full champion status.
The New York State Athletic Commission is reviewing the controversial ninth-round incident from the first fight. Their decision could impact how fans view the upcoming rematch.
As August approaches, both fighters will look to leave no doubt this time around. For Davis, it's a chance to cement his status as champion. For Roach, it's an opportunity to claim the title many thought he won in March.