On Tuesday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, WBA 135-pound champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis, who showed up almost five hours late, went face-to-face with WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach at a press conference to preview their lightweight world championship clash, which takes place on March 1 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn (PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video).
Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) has had great success at Barclays, and he enjoys the energy that fans in New York City bring.
“The people’s energy here is amazing,” he said. “I won my first championship here, and I have more followers from New York than almost anywhere. New Yorkers come with great energy.”
The Baltimore native fought the 27-year-old Roach in the amateurs, and he’s familiar with his skill set. While many do not give Roach a shot, Davis believes Roach will show the world that he has skills.
“Lamont’s got skills,” Davis said. “Even at a smaller weight class. He’s one of the guys who I came up with in the sport of boxing, and he’s still doing well. He’s definitely a top opponent and everyone will see that on March 1.”
Roach (25-1-1, 10 KOs) made it clear that he will hurt Davis on March 1 and get the upset.
“I shouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe I’m gonna win,” he said. I’ve hurt everybody that I’ve been in the ring with, and this won’t be any different…
“I don’t care about being the underdog or being the favorite. Either way, I’m gonna win.”
Despite Roach’s confidence, Davis says the fight ends in Round 9.
“I’m gonna chop, chop, bob, and weave,” Davis said. “I’m gonna end it in the ninth round.”
During the press conference, the 30-year-old Davis made a shocking revelation when he said that 2025 will be his last year in boxing.
“After next year, I’m out of it,” he said.
Boxers talk about retirement all the time, so who knows how serious Davis is about walking away from the sport; however, he did not seem like himself at the press conference, so maybe it’s real.
We’ll probably hear more about Davis’ thoughts on retirement on Thursday as the press tour continues in Washington, D.C.
Photo: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions
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