Boxing enthusiasts flocked to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center Saturday night as Gervonta “Tank” Davis clashed with his past amateur rival, Lamont Roach, in the headliner of a PBC pay-per-view event. Davis, undefeated at 30-0, entered the ring as one of the sport’s most electrifying and popular fighters. On the opposite side, Roach, boasting a 25-1-1 record, arrived determined to pull off a major upset by seizing the WBA lightweight title from Davis. It was an uphill battle, but boxing has always thrived on surprises.
During the opening round, both fighters seemed to size each other up, with Roach appearing slightly more active. The second round was a tight contest too, with few punches landed, though Davis may have edged ahead with cleaner shots. As the third round unfolded, Davis appeared to have a minor upper hand, although many of his punches met Roach’s high guard. The fourth round saw Davis moving around the ring extensively, perhaps at the cost of losing the round. By the fifth, Davis shifted his focus to targeting the body, a strategy that might bear fruit in later rounds.
By the sixth round, Davis initiated a robust attack, gradually taking control by setting the pace and delivering precise punches. Both fighters delivered commendably during the seventh round. Despite Davis’s fearsome reputation, Roach was unfazed. Roach’s resolve was on full display in the eighth round when he managed to land some solid blows on Davis.
The intensity of the match was undeniable.
With the bout clearly intensifying, Davis launched into a fierce offensive the moment the action resumed. Yet, Roach weathered the storm and retaliated, turning the round into a brutal slugfest. While Davis likely secured that round, the tenth saw Roach shine, possibly earning him the round as Davis seemed somewhat off his game. Was there an underlying issue? Or was Roach simply proving too resilient? The eleventh round was a firework display of boxing that defied expectations, far surpassing the anticipated spectacle.
The final twelfth round turned into a grueling war of endurance, leaving many to wonder which way the decision would swing. Ultimately, the judges declared the fight a majority draw. “Lamont’s a great fighter,” Davis commented post-fight. “Hopefully we can run it back…let’s do it again.” Roach was equally eager for a rematch. “I definitely thought I won,” he contended. “We can run it back….I’m one of the best fighters in the world and it showed tonight.”
