Though a date was reported for the Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr rematch, fans are becoming more and more convinced that the fight won’t happen.
A second bout is justified following the first, where ‘Tank’ Davis retained his WBA Lightweight World Title via majority draw.
Many felt Roach deserved the win, as in the ninth round the 30-year-old champion took a knee and retreated to his corner during the action. This was not ruled a knockdown by referee Steve Willis. If it had been, and the cards remained the same otherwise, Davis would have been served the first defeat of his career.
Both men declared their interest in a rematch, and a date this month was widely reported. However, speaking to Mill City Boxing, Roach’s father and trainer Lamont Sr delivered bad news to fans waiting to see the return fight.
“We ain’t heard nothing about no later date yet. We was told it could get pushed back a week or two, but then that went away too. It pretty much wasn’t happening right then.”
Asked how he and his son are dealing with the situation, he said that they were staying ready for whatever comes their way.
“You just can’t rush into nothing. You got to see what’s out there, what’s the best path going forward. We’ve just got to be patient and make the next move one of your best … We’re staying ready for anything so if they come back and say we’ve got this, or this date available, we’re not too far. We can’t peak too much. It’s a tricky situation, it’s tough, going from one of the biggest fights in boxing to the unknown.”
Finally, Roach Sr said that he feels a rematch this year is highly unlikely.
“I mean, I don’t see it happening no time soon this year unless something dramatic happens, or there would’ve been a date out there by now. We’ll see. You never know. All [Davis’] details, what’s going on with him – it ain’t nobody’s business to know everything that’s going on in his personal life, but it did affect us so we do need to know our path. It’s tough, but we’re dealing with it.”
It has been radio silence from Davis, who has also been called out by Jake Paul and Manny Pacquiao for spectacle fights. Hall of Famer Tim Bradley believes the Baltimore puncher may have given up on the sport.He was arrested last month.