Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach will meet in a WBA lightweight title rematch Aug. 16 in Las Vegas,
sources tell The Ring. Davis, one of boxing’s top stars, was a major favorite when he was
held to a shocking draw with Roach in March. The result was controversial, too. Davis’ knee touched the canvas in Round 9 following a punch, and after referee Steve Willis initiated his count, he stopped at three and didn’t ultimately rule a knockdown.
If Willis called a knockdown, Roach would have won via decision. Instead, the WBA junior lightweight champion settled for a draw as he attempted to become a two-weight champion in what would have represented a shocking upset. Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) was a minus-2000 favorite.
Baltimore’s Davis said after the bout that the reason he took a knee was because grease from a hair treatment "burned my eyes." Davis also was allowed to have his corner wipe his eyes with a towel, which is prohibited during the round. Only the referee has the authority to halt the action.
The 29-year-old Roach, of Washington D.C., remains the WBA titleholder at 130 pounds. Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) is rated No. 4 by The Ring at 130 pounds.
Davis, 30, is The Ring’s No. 1 lightweight.
Mike Coppinger is The Ring’s senior insider. He was formerly ESPN’s boxing insider. Follow him on X and Instagram: @MikeCoppinger