Lamont Roach Jr. made a bold statement during training for his rematch against Gervonta 'Tank' Davis. The challenger for the WBA lightweight title said Davis will be the reason he "catches a body" in their upcoming fight.
The two boxers will face off again on August 16, following their controversial majority draw on March 1. Their first encounter left many fans believing Roach Jr. should have won, despite Davis entering as a heavy favorite.
During a YouTube broadcast of his training session, Roach Jr. said, "Gervonta will be the reason I catch a body in this fight, you see?" His trainer echoed the sentiment, adding, "The champion doesn't lie! That joker will be the reason I catch a body, I assure you."
The phrase "catching a body" is often used as slang for committing murder. This kind of talk isn't new in boxing. In May 2019, Deontay Wilder faced criticism for saying he was "still trying to get a body" on his record.
The first Davis-Roach Jr. fight ended in controversy. Davis committed multiple fouls, including kneeing his opponent in the ninth round. Despite entering as a -1600 favorite, Davis couldn't secure a clear victory.
Some boxing fans feel Roach Jr. hasn't received the respect he deserves. Others believe Davis wasn't in his usual mindset during their first bout. The rematch will give both fighters a chance to prove themselves.
For Davis, it's an opportunity to show he can retain his WBA lightweight title. Roach Jr. aims to demonstrate he's the rightful owner of the belt. Their August 16 clash will be one of the year's most talked-about fights.
