By:
Sean Crose
It was a surprising night of boxing, to say the least. Gervonta “Tank” Davis was supposed to cruise past fellow titlist Lamont Roach in the main event of a pay per view card. It didn’t work out that way, however. “Roach fought well” Boxing Insider claimed at the time, “so well that many, if not most, felt Roach should have been awarded the win.” And, although Boxing Insider’s writer (yours truly) felt Davis did enough to get the W, the boxing public in general felt Roach should have exited the ring the victor that night at Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Center.
Without doubt, it was a tough night at the office for Davis. For starters, his famous power didn’t have it’s usual impact when he landed on the gutsy Roach. “What’s more,” wrote Boxing Insider, “Roach was able to throw and land effective shots of his own throughout the bout.” The most surprising thing about the night, though, was the fact that Davis took a knee and the referee didn’t rule it a knockdown, as is standard practice in such situations. Again, it was a tough night at the office for the popular and hard hitting Davis. The man known as Tank, however, shouldn’t be underestimated.
ESPN, for instance, is reporting the Davis and Roach camps are discussing a rematch. It will say a lot about Davis if he does, in fact, agree to that rematch. Roach appears to be a stylistic challenge for Davis. What’s more, Davis has thus far been unable to hurt his man. It all raises the question: How good is Davis if his fists and power can’t end the night early? Of course not all of Davis’ victories have come from an early stoppage, but the vast majority of them have. If the rematch goes down, Davis will have his work cut out for him.
Not only would Davis look like a true sportsman if he put it all on the line in a rematch, a second Davis-Roach fight would offer a much deserved second chance at glory for the previously underestimated Roach. The man had finally gotten some time in the spotlight with the first fight. A rematch would provide the fighter with some more warranted attention. It might not be the mega fight people would have imagined Davis having, but a second battle with Roach would be a major event in the sport nonetheless.
