GERVONTA Davis looks to deliver another scintillating performance when he squares off against WBA world super-featherweight titlist Lamont Roach Jr this Saturday.
The pair will collide for Davis’ WBA lightweight strap at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, headlining a pay-per-view show on Amazon Prime.
Here, Boxing News takes a closer look at how the fight could be won and lost.
GERVONTA DAVIS – KEYS TO VICTORY
Stay focused
Throughout the build-up, Davis, 30-0 (28 KOs), has drifted further away from his usual single-minded approach, seemingly focusing his attention on anything but Roach, 25-1-1 (10 KOs).
The first warning sign arrived when he claimed on social media towards the end of last year that their fight had been cancelled.
Not long after that, the 30-year-old then teased an early retirement from the sport, admitting that he wishes to be a better father for his two daughters.
While this could all be nothing more than pre-fight antics, it is nonetheless important for ‘Tank’ to treat his upcoming assignment with the same level of tenacity that he would in any other fight.
Be patient
It is no secret that Davis possesses frightening power, firmly establishing himself as one of the most formidable knockout artists in all of boxing.
Before the majority of his stoppages materialise, though, the Baltimore bruiser seems to be content with giving away rounds, knowing that a devastating shot will eventually turn the fight on its head.
That same attitude should bring him success against Roach, a defensively slick operator who typically looks to land counters off the backfoot.
So instead of attempting to match his opponent’s rhythm, Davis is more likely to wait for his openings before going in for the finish, just as he did against Frank Martin, another skilled mover, last year.
Left uppercut
While Davis boasts a potent arsenal of attacks, the most destructive shot in his repertoire is, without a shadow of doubt, his left uppercut.
It was, after all, the punch that saw him produce a stunning sixth-round knockout against Leo Santa Cruz back in 2020.
More recently, his left uppercut, thrown with a tremendous degree of venom, is what did the most damage in his ruthless fifth-round finish over Martin.
Roach, of course, will be more than aware of this. But still, Davis’ underrated ability to create angles with his sharp feet should see him find an opportunity to deliver the spiteful shot.
LAMONT ROACH JR – KEYS TO VICTORY
Maintain defensive shape
It is a tall order for Roach to keep pumping his legs, while also responding with several counters, throughout the full 12-round distance.
But that, ultimately, appears to be his best chance of winning, with the 29-year-old possessing far from enough firepower to test Davis’ chin.
In that sense, it is perhaps best for Roach to utilise his greatest strength, sticking and moving on the outside while avoiding any fierce exchanges at close quarters.
His activity, therefore, must compensate for his lack of aggression, with a greater punch output forcing Davis to keep resetting before launching each of his explosive attacks.
Take inspiration from Bivol
In his performance against Artur Beterbiev last Saturday, Dmitry Bivol showcased what any defensively polished fighter should do when they collide with a fearsome puncher.
By outmanoeuvring his opponent through large spells of their contest, Bivol always presented himself with enough space to utilise his lateral movement.
Against a fighter like Davis, too, it is important to not only remain defensively sharp but also use the ring to your advantage.
For Roach, there is a sense that he must know when to change the intensity of his movement, leaving enough in his tank to produce a strong finish down the stretch.
Make adjustments
Roach will enter this weekend’s clash with a game plan, or at least an idea of how his skills in training may translate to a comprehensive display in the ring.
At the same time, though, he must be prepared to make adjustments on the fly, responding to any changes that Davis makes on the night.
During the spells where Davis lowers his activity, for instance, Roach should then up his intensity with a view to build a handy lead on the judges’ scorecards.
Equally, he cannot afford to make the mistake of engaging with his opponent when he comes on strong, even if that means sacrificing a few of the rounds.
