Gervonta Davis managed to retain his WBA lightweight title on March 1, but he did so amid great controversy, as his defense against Lamont Roach was marked by one of the most controversial judging decisions in boxing recently, leaving doubts about the legitimacy of his victory.
Now, Davis has the chance to prove that his reign is not just a matter of luck or favoritism from the judges.
“Tank” Davis dropped to one knee in the ninth round, but in a questionable performance by referee Steve Willis, the fight was full of moments that left fans with many questions.
From the start of the fight, Davis was the heavy favorite, with most pundits and fans thinking it would be a lopsided fight, as Roach was forced to move up in weight
A remarkable and unexpected performance by Roach leads to an expected rematch
However, the result surprised everyone, especially after a majority draw decision was handed down by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), despite Roach’s appeals. Now, the possibility of a rematch seems to be the only way to clear up any doubts.
Former lightweight champion Paulie Malignaggi has been one of the most vocal about the fight.
In his podcast, BoxingScene on ProBox TV’s YouTube channel, Malignaggi not only supported Lamont Roach in a possible rematch, but also launched some harsh criticism of Davis’ mentality
According to Malignaggi, Davis is not as mentally strong as he seems and that if Roach presses him, he could “sink”. The former Brooklyn boxer pointed out that although Davis has great punching power and 28 KO victories, his mental weakness could be his Achilles’ heel.
In addition, Malignaggi suggested that Roach should press “Tank” little by little, without rushing, in order to take advantage of his fatigue. If the fight goes into the later rounds, Davis could start to make the same mistakes seen on March 1, according to Paulie’s analysis.
Davis’ mental stability
Despite his flaws, Malignaggi was quick to acknowledge Davis’ physical skills, but insisted that his lack of mental stability could be his undoing.
Ryan Garcia’s handler, Henry Garcia, also commented on Gervonta Davis’ situation, and his words were not kind
In a recent interview, Garcia mentioned that “Tank’s” age is taking its toll.
“He not got the legs he used to have,” Garcia said, suggesting that the explosiveness he showed in past fights has faded
He criticized Davis’ decision to change managers, switching from Calvin Ford to Barry Hunter which, he said, affected the boxer’s performance in the fight against Roach.
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