It has been more than two months since the draw between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. left boxing fans stunned. On the night of March 1, the undisputed favorite, Davis, found himself facing a Roach determined to write his own story. What began as an opportunity to reaffirm his dominance ended up becoming an uncomfortable warning sign about his future in the boxing elite.
Controversy was not long in coming. The most memorable episode was when Davis fell to his knees in the ninth round after taking a punch, an event that was not recognized as an official knockdown by the referee. That decision alone could have changed the outcome of the fight, and many, including boxers such as Terence Crawford, claimed that Roach deserved the victory. Despite everything, the fight was declared a majority draw.
Joe Rogan: “Roach won that fight”
On his podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, the influential UFC commentator Joe Rogan had no qualms about talking about the controversial result. In conversation with comedian Tom Segura, Rogan questioned Davis’ performance and suggested that the draw was generous. “He had that fight with Lamont Roach where it ended in a draw, and it was a legitimate draw,” he commented, before launching a more forceful criticism: “You could even argue that Roach won that fight.”
The comment came as Rogan analyzed Devin Haney’s recent performance against Jose Ramirez, and reflected on how a first loss, or even a very close fight, can mark the decline of some fighters. “There is a point where the greats just stop being what they were. Everyone has a limited number of times they can perform at their best,” he said, indirectly alluding to Davis’ current situation.
A rematch with more pressure than promise
The rematch between Davis and Roach already has a new date: it will be on August 16 in Las Vegas, according to journalist Mike Coppinger. However, far from being just a second chance, this fight seems to be a litmus test for Davis, who will not only have to win, but do so convincingly if he wants to silence the doubts that have surrounded him since his last appearance in the ring.
Roach, on the other hand, comes in with renewed motivation. Currently the WBA super featherweight champion, he knows that many saw him as the real winner in March. Davis, on the other hand, has offered controversial explanations for his performance: he blamed a hair product for affecting his vision, and his team was even caught wiping his eyes in the middle of the fight, an action that is technically illegal. All this has further fueled the criticism.
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