Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach are gearing up for a rematch after their controversial first fight. The two boxers will likely face off again on Saturday, August 16, in Las Vegas.
Their first bout on March 1 in New York City ended in a split decision draw. Davis, the WBA world lightweight champion, kept his title. But the fight wasn't without drama. In the ninth round, Davis took a knee to the canvas. Referee Steve Willis didn't call it an official knockdown. This decision might have cost Roach his shot at becoming the new champion.
Now, as they prepare to meet again, other fighters are weighing in on who they think will win.
Ryan Garcia, who lost to Davis in 2023, believes 'Tank' will come out on top this time. In an interview with FightHype.com, Garcia said:
"Davis will put on a different gear. He underestimated Roach in the first fight. This time, he'll expect a harder fight."
But not everyone agrees with Garcia. WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson is backing Roach. Stevenson has sparred with Roach and even got help from him when preparing for his fight against Oscar Valdez. He told FightHype.com:
"I knew Roach's style would match well against Davis. They're both good fighters. It's going to be a hell of a fight. But Davis is the same fighter he's been throughout his career."
The rematch is reportedly close to being finalized. We can expect an official announcement in the coming weeks.
With the first fight ending in controversy and these split predictions from fellow boxers, the rematch promises to be an exciting event. Will Davis prove Garcia right and show a different side of himself? Or will Roach capitalize on the opportunity he narrowly missed in their first encounter? Boxing fans will have to wait until August to find out.
