GERVONTA Davis and Lamont Roach Jr are set to collide for their much anticipated rematch in either July or August, says boxing journalist Dan Rafael.
The pair squared off in a controversial encounter last month when ‘Tank,’ claiming that he had hair grease in his eyes, took a knee in the ninth round.
Up to that point, and indeed soon after, Roach, 25-1-2 (10 KOs), had produced a far more assertive performance than what most expected, often pressing forward with his front foot pressure.
But while a ninth-round knockdown would have seen the result of their fight swing in his favour, referee Steve Willis ultimately denied the 29-year-old a career-best victory.
Instead, Willis determined that Davis, 30-0-1 (28 KOs), despite touching the canvas, should not suffer a 10-8 round which, in turn, allowed the American star to come away with a draw.
According to Rafael, though, a rematch between the two lightweights – again, with Davis’ WBA world title on the line – is being explored for late summer.
Originally, it appeared that June 21 had been targeted by Premier Boxing Champions, Davis’ promoter, as an appealing date for their second encounter.
But with PBC scheduling a series of potential matchups, including Tim Tszyu vs Keith Thurman and Sebastian Fundora vs Xander Zayas, it would seemingly make more sense for Davis-Roach 2 to take place later this year.
As of now, Roach still holds his WBA world super-featherweight title but, with his rematch against ‘Tank’ edging closer, one would suspect ‘The Reaper’ to vacate his 130lb strap before long.
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