Lamont Roach Jr came within touching distance of defeating Gervonta Davis earlier this year.
The 29-year-old from Washington, D.C challenged ‘Tank’ Davis for his WBA world lightweight title at the Barclays Center in New York on March 1.
After an entertaining and closely fought battle, the fight was declared a majority decision draw but the result could have been very different if it wasn’t for a controversial decision that was made during the ninth round.
Davis took a knee to the canvas after being on the receiving end of a Roach jab, but referee Steve Willis failed to rule this as an official knockdown, prompting outrage from the challenger’s team and effectively squandering his chances of dethroning ‘Tank’ of his WBA crown.
In an interview with Mill City Boxing, Roach was asked to reveal whether ‘Tank’ has been the hardest puncher he has faced in his professional career to date.
“No, and I ain’t s——g on him or nothing like that he can punch, but Jonathan Oquendo, he’s from Puerto Rico, bro he got bricks in his hands, he punched hard I ain’t gonna lie, he’s a hard hitting motherf—-r.”
A rematch between Roach and Davis is expected to be finalised for August 16, with their highly anticipated second encounter set to take place in Las Vegas. An official announcement is expected to be made in the coming weeks, with it being reported that both fighters have already signed for the rematch.
‘The Reaper’ will be looking to do one better this time around by becoming the very first fighter to defeat ‘Tank’ and capturing a world title for the second time in his career.
