Tale of the Tape: Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr.
It's been nearly nine months since boxing fans witnessed one of the sport's most popular fighters, Gervonta "Tank" Davis, enter a ring.
That changes Saturday when the 30-year-old defends his WBA lightweight title against junior lightweight champion Lamont Roach Jr., who's stepping up in weight for the highly anticipated contest at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The bout was originally set to take place in December before being postponed.
The scrap isn't just your average title match. There's a rich and storied history between Davis - a Baltimore native - and his Washington opponent, nicknamed "The Reaper."
The pair have shared rings and gyms since they were teenagers, with Davis reigning supreme over Roach the last time they fought.
"We grew up together in the sport. There was always a tension and rivalry," Roach told Premier Boxing Champions.
"The last time we got in the ring, we were 15 or 16. He won. Gold medal him, silver medal me. One and two in the nation. That was the last time we were in the ring together."
But Roach added that he's developed into a different fighter since the loss and plans to shock the world by beating the undefeated Davis.
"I'm a world champion for a reason. I don't give a f--k about what y'all got to say," Roach said.
"That's why I'm here, right here in this position right now. That's why I'm going to be on top of the boxing world."
Davis isn't buying into his opponent's confident prediction, and rightfully so.
The hard-hitting southpaw is one of this generation's top knockout specialists and recently said he'll put Roach to sleep. Only two of his 30 career fights have gone the distance, while his last five wins came over established fighters Frank Martin, Ryan Garcia, Hector Garcia, Rolando Romero, and Isaac Cruz.
Roach is no slouch, though. His lone defeat came against a more experienced Jamel Herring in 2019 when he was just 23 years old. He's won five straight since, including a victory over Hector Garcia, who fought well in a 2023 loss against Davis.
Tank's trainer, Barry Hunter, said he believes Roach's sharp and technically proficient boxing style will make him a tough opponent.
"Roach has never been a cheap date for nobody," Hunter said.
"The real true boxing fans, the real ones that know, know that this isn't an easy fight. He's very skilled, and I'm going to go out on the line and say this is the most skillful person Tank has faced so far."
Can Roach overcome the odds and hand Davis the first loss of his career? Or will Tank continue cementing his legacy as one of the best pound-for-pound greats ever to step foot in the ring?
Barclays Center is in for a treat Saturday.