Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. has sent shockwaves through the sport with his first public comments regarding the highly anticipated rematch between his former protégé, Gervonta “Tank” Davis, and Lamont Roach Jr., scheduled for June 21, 2025, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In an exclusive interview with TMZ Sports on April 6, Mayweather, who mentored Davis early in his career, delivered a surprising assessment of the matchup, praising Davis’ potential but issuing a warning of Roach’s stamina. With the boxing world buzzing about the rematch, Mayweather’s words have added a new layer of intrigue to what promises to be an explosive showdown.

A rivalry rekindled

Gervonta Davis (30-0, 28 KOs), the WBA lightweight champion, and Lamont Roach Jr. (24-2-1, 9 KOs), the former WBA super featherweight champion, first met in the ring on December 14, 2024, in a fight that ended in controversy. Davis won a unanimous decision after 12 rounds, but many fans and analysts felt Roach deserved the nod, citing his counterbalance and ability to withstand Davis’ power. Roach, who moved up to lightweight for the bout, landed several clean shots on Davis, including a notable uppercut in the eighth round that briefly staggered the Baltimore native. The close nature of the fight, coupled with Roach’s post-fight claim that he was “robbed,” led to immediate calls for a rematch.

On March 15, 2025, the rematch was officially announced, with both fighters set to clash again at 135 pounds on June 21 at the MGM Grand. Davis, known for his devastating knockout power, has vowed to “put Roach to sleep” this time, while Roach, a 29-year-old from Washington, D.C., has vowed to “expose” Davis and claim the WBA lightweight title. The buildup has been fraught, with both fighters trading barbs on social media and at press conferences, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.

Mayweather’s stunning first words

Floyd Mayweather Jr., who played a pivotal role in Davis’ rise to stardom before their relationship soured in 2020, has remained silent on his former protégé’s career in recent years. However, in his April 6 interview with TMZ Sports , the undefeated boxing icon broke his silence, offering a candid take on the upcoming rematch. “Tank is a special fighter, one of the best I’ve ever seen,” Mayweather said. “He’s got the power, the speed, and the heart to be a legend. But he’s got to watch out for Lamont Roach. That kid is tougher than people think. He took Tank’s best shots in the first fight and kept coming back. If Tank doesn’t finish him early, this could be a long night.”

Mayweather’s comments are particularly surprising given his history with Davis. The two parted ways after a fallout from promotional issues, with Davis eventually aligning himself with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) while Mayweather focused on his own ventures. Despite his rocky past, Mayweather has occasionally praised Davis, calling him “the future of boxing” after his knockout of Frank Martin in December 2024. However, his warning about Roach’s durability suggests that even Mayweather, a master strategist, sees the potential danger of Davis reloading.

Mayweather also took a moment to reflect on Davis’s growth as a fighter. “Tank has come a long way since we worked together,” he said. “He’s a champion, a pay-per-view star, and he carries the sport on his back. But he can’t get complacent. Roach is hungry—he’s got that dog in him. Tank needs to be at his best on June 21.”

A tale of two fighters

Gervonta Davis, at 30, remains one of the most feared punchers in boxing, with 28 knockouts in his 30 professional wins. His ability to end fights with one punch, as seen in his 2023 knockout of Ryan Garcia and his 2024 stoppage of Frank Martin, has made him a fan favorite and a pay-per-view juggernaut. However, his first fight with Roach exposed some vulnerabilities, particularly his tendency to start slowly and his struggles against opponents with strong defensive skills. In that bout, Roach’s movement and counterbalance frustrated Davis, who failed to score a takedown despite landing several heavy shots.

Meanwhile, Lamont Roach Jr. is looking to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent boxing history. The 29-year-old, who held the WBA super featherweight title from 2019 to 2021, has shown remarkable resilience throughout her career, with her only losses coming against Jamel Herring in 2019 and Davis in 2024. Roach’s performance in the first fight earned her widespread respect, with many praising her heart and boxing. Training out of Washington, D.C., under the guidance of her father, Lamont Roach Sr., Roach has expressed belief that she can dethrone Davis. “I showed the world that I can take his punches,” Roach told Boxing Scene last month. “This time, I’m coming to win, and I’m taking that belt.”

The boxing world reacts

Mayweather’s comments have sparked a storm of reaction throughout the boxing community. On social media, fans have been quick to point out, with the hashtag #davisvsroachrematch trending on X. “Floyd knows what he’s talking about, Roach is no joke,” one user wrote. “Tank better not sleep on him this time.” Another fan responded, “Tank is going to knock Roach out in the rematch. Floyd’s just hyping it up for the drama.”

Prominent figures in the sport have also weighed in. Andre Ward, a former pound-for-pound king and current ESPN analyst, agreed with Mayweather’s assessment. “Roach is a live underdog,” Ward said on his podcast. “He gave Tank a tough fight last time, and he’ll only have more confidence in the rematch. Tank has to be sharp.” Meanwhile, Davis’ promoter, Leonard Ellerbe, dismissed concerns, telling ESPN Boxing , “Tank is the best in the world. He’s heard all the noise before, and he always proves the doubters wrong. June 21 will be no different.”

Roach’s camp, as expected, welcomed Mayweather’s comments. “Floyd sees what we see,” Roach Sr. told Ring Magazine . “Lamont is a problem for Tank. We’re going to shock the world.”

What’s at stake on June 21?

The Davis vs. Roach rematch is shaping up to be one of the biggest fights of 2025, with the WBA lightweight title on the line and both fighters looking to make a statement. For Davis, a decisive victory, preferably by knockout, would silence critics who have questioned his ability to dominate top-tier opponents since his close fight with Roach. A win would also set the stage for potential blockbuster matchups later in the year, including a long-running clash with Devin Haney or a move up to 140 pounds to face Teofimo Lopez.

For Roach, the fight represents a career-defining opportunity. A win over Davis would not only make him a world champion in a second weight class, but also cement his status among boxing’s elite. However, a loss could relegate him to gatekeeper status, making the stakes even higher for the DC native.

The card for the June 21 event is equally stacked, featuring a lightweight clash between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda, as well as a return fight between former champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and José Valenzuela. The event, promoted by PBC and streamed on Amazon Prime PPV, is expected to draw more than 1.5 million buys, according to early projections.

Will Mayweather’s warning help Davis?

As the June 21 fight date approaches, Floyd Mayweather’s impressive opening remarks have added a new dimension to the Davis vs. Roach rematch. While Davis remains the overwhelming favorite, Mayweather’s warning about Roach’s toughness has given fans and analysts pause, raising the possibility of another closely contested battle, or even an upset for the ages. One thing is for sure: when these two warriors step into the ring at the MGM Grand, the boxing world will be watching to see if Tank can deliver a defining performance, or if Roach can pull off a career-defining victory.