BREAKING: Gervonta SLAPPED By Lamont At First Rematch Press Conference

The boxing world is in utter shock as Gervonta “Tank” Davis was slapped by Lamont Roach Jr. just moments ago during their first press conference for their highly anticipated rematch! The explosive incident, which unfolded in Las Vegas ahead of their August 16 showdown, has escalated tensions between the two fighters to a boiling point, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiery grudge match for the WBA lightweight title.

The Shocking Confrontation

The drama erupted at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where Davis and Roach were set to face off for the first time since their controversial majority draw on March 1, 2025, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. That fight, which saw Davis retain his WBA lightweight title despite a debated moment where he took a knee in the ninth round, has been a source of bitterness for Roach, who believed he deserved the victory (web ID: 0, 2, 9, 13). The press conference was meant to build hype for their rematch, but it quickly spiraled into chaos.

As Davis, 30, was speaking at the podium, boasting about his preparation and predicting a knockout—“I’m putting Roach to sleep this time, no more excuses”—Roach, 29, interrupted with a scowl. “You talk too much for someone who couldn’t finish me,” Roach fired back, referencing Davis’s unfulfilled bet to knock him out in their first fight (web ID: 8). Before anyone could react, Roach stormed across the stage and delivered a sharp slap across Davis’s face, sending the room into a frenzy.

Security rushed to separate the two as Davis, visibly stunned, lunged toward Roach, shouting, “You’re done on August 16!” The press conference was abruptly halted, leaving media and fans in disbelief at the unprecedented outburst.

A Feud Fueled by Controversy

The slap is the latest escalation in a rivalry that has been simmering since their first encounter. Roach has been vocal about his frustration, alleging that Davis used an “illegal irritant” during their March fight and even changed his phone number to avoid a post-fight bet (web ID: 8, 14). Meanwhile, Davis has faced scrutiny for his performance, with critics like Shakur Stevenson pointing out “holes” in his game (web ID: 6) and David Benavidez suggesting Roach should have been awarded the win if the knee had been counted as a knockdown (web ID: 2).

The tension has only grown with the rematch announcement, originally slated for June 21 but postponed to August 16 after Davis requested more preparation time (web ID: 0, 4). Roach’s teammate Ben Johnson recently raised eyebrows by predicting a tougher fight for Davis (web ID: 7), while Terence Crawford suggested Roach won the first bout but Davis might take the rematch (web ID: 0). Roy Jones Jr., however, boldly predicted Roach would “shock the world” in August (web ID: 3).

Global Reaction

The slap has sent shockwaves through the boxing community. On social media, fans erupted: “Roach just slapped the smirk off Tank’s face—August is gonna be wild!” one user posted on X, while another wrote, “Davis got humbled real quick—can’t wait for the fight!” Former champion Keith Thurman commented, “That slap might’ve just woken Tank up—but it also lit a fire under Roach.”

Promoters are now scrambling to ensure tighter security for future events, with some speculating that the incident could boost pay-per-view sales for the rematch. Davis’s team issued a brief statement: “Gervonta is focused on the fight, not this nonsense. Roach will pay for this on August 16.” Roach, meanwhile, doubled down on Instagram, posting, “I’m coming for everything—title, respect, all of it.”

What’s Next?

With the rematch still over two months away, this incident has turned an already heated rivalry into a full-blown grudge match. Davis, who recently debuted a new hairstyle that fans linked to renewed focus (web ID: 1), now faces added pressure to deliver on his knockout promise. Roach, riding the momentum of his bold statement, seems determined to prove his doubters wrong and claim the WBA lightweight title.

Will Roach’s slap ignite a fire in Davis, or has he just sealed his own fate? The countdown to August 16 has just become a lot more intense.

What do you think? Will this slap motivate Davis or give Roach the edge? Share your thoughts below!