Lamont Roach took to social media calling himself “pound-for-pound talent” after giving Gervonta “Tank” Davis a tough night on March 1 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Roach ultimately settled for a majority draw that allowed Davis to keep his WBA lightweight belt, but the 27-year-old believes his spirited performance proved he can compete at the sport’s highest level. Posting on Instagram, Roach highlighted the record-breaking crowd the two generated, labeling Davis a “generational star” and insisting that he’s looking forward to running it back in a potential rematch.
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Critics, however, point out that Tank Davis could pursue higher-profile options, such as WBC champion Shakur Stevenson or even YouTuber Jake Paul, both of which could yield far greater revenue than another fight with Roach. Many fans, too, remain unconvinced that Roach’s effort in a somewhat off-night for Davis constitutes real pound-for-pound credentials. While Roach had his moments, Davis only began pressing in the later rounds, looking more like the dominant fighter fans are used to seeing.
Still, Roach remains determined to prove he’s an elite presence at lightweight. Some suggest he can permanently move to 135 and take on the likes of Stevenson or WBO champ Keyshawn Davis if he genuinely aims to show that he’s among the pound-for-pound best.
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