“It’s Signed!” Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Rematch Set to Ignite the Boxing World
The boxing universe is buzzing with anticipation as Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. gear up for a blockbuster rematch following their controversial majority draw on March 1, 2025. The initial clash at Barclays Center in Brooklyn left fans and analysts divided, with a ninth-round incident—where Davis took a knee that wasn’t ruled a knockdown—fueling cries of robbery and demands for a second showdown. Now, whispers from both camps confirm the rematch is all but sealed, with Roach’s promoter Gary Jonas boldly stating, “It’s a done deal in my mind,” despite a few lingering formalities. As Davis sharpens his focus and Roach aims to cement his legacy, this electrifying rematch promises to deliver fireworks—and perhaps a definitive answer to who truly reigns at lightweight.
The first fight was a rollercoaster that ended in frustration for many. Davis, the WBA lightweight champion with a fearsome 30-0-1 record, entered as a -1600 favorite, expected to steamroll Roach. Yet, the underdog from Washington, D.C., flipped the script, outlanding Davis 112-103 over 12 rounds and pushing the superstar to his limits. The pivotal moment came in round nine when Roach landed a jab, prompting Davis to drop to a knee and head to his corner for a wipe-down. Referee Steve Willis started counting but stopped, ruling it a non-knockdown—a call that preserved Davis’s title via scores of 115-113 and two 114-114s. Had it been scored a 10-8 round for Roach, the challenger would’ve claimed a historic upset. The New York State Athletic Commission later upheld the result despite acknowledging the error, leaving Roach’s team fuming but resolute.
Davis, speaking post-fight, admitted the rematch is his top priority. “It’s definitely the one I want next,” he said, though he hinted it might not happen in 2025, teasing a cryptic delay. Sources suggest he’s shelved retirement talks and is approaching this with renewed intensity, possibly stung by the close call and the boos that rained down from the Brooklyn crowd. His explanation—that grease from a hair treatment two days prior irritated his eyes—drew skepticism, with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and others questioning his focus. Coach Barry Hunter admitted Davis abandoned his jab, a tactical misstep that let Roach stay in the fight, while analyst Timothy Bradley sees a “superpower” in Davis’s unshakable confidence, predicting he’ll unleash it on Roach next time.
Roach, meanwhile, emerged as the people’s champion. “It’s only a matter of time—we’re going to fight again,” he declared, exuding confidence in a homecoming bout in D.C. rather than another New York clash. His performance was a revelation—standing toe-to-toe with a knockout artist who’d flattened the likes of Leo Santa Cruz, Roach landed crisp combinations and disrupted Davis’s rhythm. “Lamont proved everybody wrong,” one analyst raved, noting his fearlessness at the pre-fight presser translated into a masterclass that deserved better from the scorecards. His father, Lamont Roach Sr., called it a “high IQ boxing match” stolen by the decision, insisting his son won even without the knee controversy. Roach’s camp has a rematch clause in the original contract, and they’re pushing for a July date to settle the score.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. For Davis, it’s a chance to erase the blemish on his record and reassert his dominance in a division teeming with talent like Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney. Critics like Ryan Garcia doubt Roach’s firepower to dethrone Tank, but Smith’s pre-fight size concerns were obliterated by Roach’s resilience. For Roach, it’s about proving the first fight wasn’t a fluke—silencing doubters and securing a pound-for-pound spot. “He cooked, and they robbed him,” one fan tweeted, echoing the sentiment that Roach’s star turn was unjustly overshadowed by officiating politics.
As the boxing world awaits official confirmation, the rematch looms as a potential classic. Will Davis return sharper, leveraging his devastating power to end Roach’s Cinderella story? Or will Roach, buoyed by his near-victory, shock the sport again and claim the crown? The ninth-round knee—tactical genius or desperate timeout—remains the burning question. Drop your predictions below: Can Roach defy the odds once more, or will Tank reclaim his throne in emphatic fashion? One thing’s certain—this clash will have fans on the edge of their seats, ready for a night that could reshape the lightweight landscape.
