Tonight, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) defends his WBA lightweight title against WBA super featherweight champion Lamont Roach (25-1-1, 10 KOs). A familiar opponent whom he’s faced multiple times in the amateurs. The familiarity between the two has given Roach undue confidence, believing he is the one to defeat Tank. He’s gone as far as to say that he can and will knock Tank out. Can he defeat the sport’s most effective power puncher?
Tank is a very economical puncher throwing on average a total 32.2 punches per round, which is the second lowest in boxing. He may have a low output but astonishingly has one of the highest power connect percentages in the sport at 48.2 percent. His accuracy makes him a difficult opponent for anyone. He is an extremely patient boxer who knows when to throw, and how to throw his punches. In his last fight against Frank Martin, he allowed Martin to gain an early lead by allowing him to throw at will while tactically planning his counterattack. Although Martin won rounds on the scorecards, it was by design. Tank’s strategy against Roach will be very similar.
Roach’s lone loss was against Jamel Herring in 2019 when he was outpointed by Herring in a technical boxing match. Herring outlanded Roach 143 to 84 and appeared to have dropped Roach in the ninth round but was given a favorable ruling by the referee, who ruled it a slip rather than a knockdown. He has since then earned six consecutive victories, capturing the WBA super featherweight championship in the process against former tank opponent Hector Garcia. Lamont has improved significantly since that loss and appears determined to continue his run against Tank. Doing so, will prove extremely difficult. Although he may have weighed in heavier at the weigh-in, coming in at 135 pounds to Gervonta’s 133.8 to gain a tactical advantage, he is the smaller fighter in terms of power. How will he adjust to the faster and stronger Davis? If Roach is true to his word, he’ll be aggressive and place pressure on Gervonta, doing so will allow Tank to counter. If Roach decides to play it safe, by boxing with in-and-out movement, Tank will time him and catch him on the inside.
Herring was effective against Roach in landing several right-hand counters, something Tank will be able to replicate tonight. Tank is too fast and too strong for Roach, and it will show early.
Boxers always take time in adjusting to a new division and more so when facing a power puncher. Roach has an unsurmountable task in facing an economical and effective power puncher. If he’s unable to withstand Tank’s punches it will end very early.
Last Updated on 03/01/2025
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