Gervonta Davis did not knock out Lamont Roach as predicted in his latest fight in the Barclays Center. In fact, the WBA lightweight champion’s fight ended in controversy.
Davis (30-0-1) looked to have been dropped to one knee in round nine and went to his corner to wipe his eyes. However, the referee didn’t call it a knockdown or DQ Davis. The fight with Roach (25-1-2) still went on and the end result was a draw – not what many expected.
While with Premier Boxing Champions, Davis has not joined the likes of Matchroom Boxing and Top Rank, who have been affiliated with Turki Alalshikh.
Davis has only fought twice since being named the “face of boxing” against Ryan Garcia in 2023, beating Frank Martin before facing Roach. He underwent house arrest and was later taken into custody in 2023 after pleading guilty to traffic offenses stemming from a hit-and-run incident.
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“Tank” has a goal for 2025: to be active.
“I want to stay in the ring more this year, hopefully with three fights. Roach comes first, and then we figure it out the rest of the way,” Davis said.
If Davis wants to fight thrice this year, who would be next? The Sporting News has listed likely candidates who could face Davis.
Gervonta Davis next fight: Options for lightweight knockout machine
Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach rematch
After the controversy surrounding the first fight, the right call is a rematch between Davis and Lamont Roach.
Following a clear knee to the canvas, Roach has a right to say he should have triumphed over Davis or was close to becoming a two-division champion. Per CompuBox stats, Davis landed 103 of 279 shots (37%), while Roach landed 112 of 400 (28%). Davis had a 44% power connect rate, while Roach had a 35% mark. Roach was the busier fighter through the bout.
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Davis did say he would be open to a rematch, and it should be back in New York. With Roach being the WBA super featherweight champion, he may have to compete against mandatory challengers. However, if everything can be smoothed out with no issues, a rematch could be done before the end of the year.
Gervonta Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson
Many within boxing have shown interest in a fight between Davis and a fighter now in his division, Shakur Stevenson.
The WBC lightweight champion, Stevenson (23-0), has competed in multiple weight classes. He just recently took out former electrician Josh Padley, a late-replacement after Floyd Schofield was taken ill in Riyadh.
The two have different styles, as Stevenson is more of a defensive boxer. However, Stevenson believes his skills would trump the power of Davis.
“How is he gonna hit me? How is he gonna land his punches on me? I done watched how many Gervonta Davis fights? I done been in the ring with him before. I know a lot of things. I can’t wait for it to happen,” Stevenson said via Sports Illustrated.
Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing must negotiate with Davis’ camp to make a Stevenson fight happen. It would be one of the most anticipated contests in boxing if it came to fruition.
Gervonta Davis vs. Keyshawn Davis
Staying in the division, Davis could face new WBO champion Keyshawn Davis.
Davis (13-0) just beat Denys Berinchyk via knockout to win the WBO title. The 2021 Olympic silver medalist is a very vocal fighter, as he called out Davis before and after facing Berinchyk.
“I would love to fight [Tank],” Keyshawn told Fight Hub TV via Sports Illustrated. “He don’t got the b—- to fight me. I really just feel the way… I don’t think he really got the b—- to see me on contract and fight me.”
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“The Businessman” has eyes on him, but won’t chase after Davis. He’s willing to see what happens with his career.
“I’m not chasing Tank. Let’s put that out there,” Keyshawn told Ariel Helwani via Seconds Out. F— Tank for real! Tank knows I want to fight him, his coach knows I want to fight him, the boxing world know I want to fight him. The question is does Tank have the b—- to fight me?”
Meanwhile, Gervonta has slammed Keyshawn and Stevenson for not fighting one another. It’s the only form of interest he has shown in Keyshawn.
Gervonta Davis vs. Naoya Inoue
Out of all the options for Davis, fans and media have fantasized about a fight between him and undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue. The drawing factor is the fact the two are two dynamic fighters who have dominated their opposition.
It seems unlikely the fight would happen, given several factors.
Inoue (29-0), a four-weight world champion, is coming off a January win against Kim Ye-joon. There have been rumors he could face bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani, top contender Murodjon Akhmadaliev, or others in his division. To fight Davis, Inoue would need to move several weight classes.
Alalshikh has shown interest in that fight. Davis said he wouldn’t face him in a 2023 post, citing the weight difference. He also recently posted, and deleted, on social media via Seconds Out: “I’m the only fighter you all want to see in the ring with everybody. Doesn’t matter the weight.”
As of now, it appears what it has been: a fantasy.
Gervonta Davis vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko
It wasn’t long ago when Davis said he would fight Vasiliy Lomachenko, the former lightweight king and reigning IBF champion. It brings two networks together, and it is a matchup that makes the most sense.
However, it seems as unlikely as the Inoue fight.
Boxing fans were close to seeing this fight in 2024 until talks broke off, as ESPN reported that Lomachenko (18-3) wanted to take off the rest of the year.
“Loma is not in the mood right now. He doesn’t have the motivation at the moment,” Lomachenko’s manager Egis Klimas said to Steve Kim via ESPN. “He’s taking off. He wants to spend more time with the family… With Loma, just money is not what motivates him.”
The 37-year-old Ukrainian beat George Kambosos Jr last May to win the IBF title but hasn’t defended the belt or has shown any signs of returning. The IBF recently gave Lomachenko an ultimatum where he would need to face the winner of a proposed interim fight between Raymond Muratalla and Zaur Abdullaev.
If Lomachenko does compete and faces the winner of Muratalla vs. Abdullaev, a Davis fight in 2025 feels like a long shot.
