The rematch between WBA World Lightweight Champion Gervonta Davis (USA) — 30 wins (28 KOs), 0 losses, 1 draw — and WBA World Super Featherweight Champion Lamont Roach (USA) — 25 wins (10 KOs), 1 loss, 2 draws — will take place on August 16 (August 17 Japan time) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, USA.
Premier Boxing Champions, who promote Davis, have reportedly reserved the T-Mobile Arena for August 16 (Japan time August 17), strongly indicating it will host the Davis vs. Roach rematch.
The two previously fought on March 1 (Japan time March 2) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, resulting in a 12-round draw. However, controversy arose over a possible knockdown by Davis in the 9th round that was not officially counted. After the fight, Roach’s camp filed a protest seeking recognition of the knockdown. However, the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) stated that the decision on whether a knockdown occurred falls within the referee’s discretion and authority, and thus upheld the draw verdict.
Gervonta Davis, who recorded the first draw of his career against the lower-weight Lamont Roach, seemed unable to accept the result due to his pride. He immediately called for a rematch. Roach, who greatly raised his stock with the performance, also welcomed the idea, showing a strong desire for a second fight. Negotiations proceeded quickly, and it was initially reported that the rematch would tentatively take place on June 21 (June 22 Japan time) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but it was later postponed.
Davis’s past PPV sales are as follows:
– The highest was the bout against Ryan Garcia in April 2023, with 1.2 million buys at $85 each.
– Second was the fight against Frank Martin in June last year, with 320,000 to 350,000 buys at $75.
– Third was against Rolando Romero in May 2022, with 275,000 buys at $75.
The first Davis vs. Roach fight, broadcast on Amazon Prime Video PPV at $80, recorded 260,000 buys—ranking just behind those top events. The unexpected competitiveness of the fight and the better-than-anticipated PPV sales led to immediate talks of a rematch. However, if Davis cannot assert his dominance in the rematch, public opinion on him may shift dramatically.
How will he fight this time? Roach has studied thoroughly, and his tactics in the first bout were impressive. Meanwhile, it was revealed by Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn that Davis has already agreed to fight popular cruiserweight YouTuber Jake Paul (11 wins, 7 KOs, 1 loss) in November. If Davis’s focus shifts too much to that bout, as in the first fight, it might again be a close contest without a clear conclusion.
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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