Gervonta Davis Calls for Rematch with Lamont Roach by End of May
Gervonta Davis, the WBA lightweight champion, has taken to social media to declare his intentions for a rematch with Lamont Roach. Following their highly disputed 12-round majority draw on March 1st at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Davis posted on X, stating, "The rematch can be soon too… like end of May." The scores from the fight were 115-113 for Gervonta, 114-114, and 114-114. Despite the official draw, the boxing community overwhelmingly believed Roach was the clear winner, leading to significant backlash against Davis.
Quick Turnaround: Challenges in Scheduling
Scheduling a rematch as soon as late May could pose significant challenges for the promoters. The quick turnaround would require rapid negotiations, marketing, and logistical planning to assemble the event. Both Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach are high-profile fighters, and the demand for a fair and well-promoted rematch is immense. The time constraints could potentially affect the quality of the event and the fan experience. However, the demand for a resolution to the controversial draw is so strong that the promoters are likely to do everything in their power to make it happen.
Backlash and Controversy
The fallout from the March 1st fight has been severe. Many fans and boxing experts feel that the referee and judges favored Davis unfairly. A particularly contentious moment occurred in the ninth round when Roach’s jab sent Davis to his knee. Despite this, the referee did not call a knockdown, leading to widespread accusations of preferential treatment. Lamont Roach, in his own response on X, accused Davis of being "scared" and suggested that the results of the fight might be overturned. Roach stated, "My contract is already signed and set for the immediate rematch because you put that in there just in case you lost. Only reason we don’t fight is because you’re scared," adding, "Word round the block is your favorite fighter is going to be 30-1, not 30-0-1… 🫣 2X x 2 Division champ."
Roach’s Appeal and the New York State Athletic Commission
Lamont Roach and his team are reportedly appealing the fight’s outcome to the New York State Athletic Commission. They are seeking a review of the ninth-round incident and the overall scoring. If the Commission were to find that Roach should have been awarded a knockdown, it could potentially lead to a change in the fight’s outcome, resulting in a win for Roach. However, as of now, the Commission has not issued any statements regarding the fight’s results. This silence has further fueled the controversy, leaving fans and Roach’s camp frustrated with the lack of action.
Comparisons to Ryan Garcia’s Case
The situation with the Davis-Roach fight has drawn comparisons to Ryan Garcia’s bout with Devin Haney last year. On April 20th, 2023, Garcia’s victory was overturned to a no contest after he tested positive for a banned substance. Many in the boxing community, including Garcia himself, have called for the New York State Athletic Commission to take similar action in the Davis-Roach case. The inconsistency in how the Commission handles such issues has added to the public’s skepticism and criticism.
Moving Forward: The Call for a Fair Rematch
Despite the controversy and the challenges, both Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach seem determined to settle their score in the ring. Davis’s push for a quick rematch by the end of May indicates his confidence and his desire to address the doubts surrounding their initial bout. For Roach, a win in the rematch could solidify his status as a top contender and potentially dethrone the reigning champion. The boxing world watches with bated breath, hoping that the rematch will provide a clear and fair resolution to this contentious chapter in lightweight boxing.
