DESPITE teasing a possible retirement plan towards the end of last year, Gervonta Davis has now insisted that his immediate future remains in the ring.
The 30-year-old suffered his first professional blemish last night against Lamont Roach Jr, who produced an assertive performance before coming away with a controversial draw.
Their fiercely contested clash at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, saw WBA world lightweight titlist Davis, 30-0-1 (28 KOs), encounter perhaps the toughest test of his career.
But the main talking point, in truth, emerged in the ninth round, when referee Steve Willis chose not to award Roach, 25-1-2 (10 KOs), with a richly deserved knockdown.
A 10-8 round would have seen the WBA super-featherweight champion claim a monumental victory, but while Davis took a knee, the possible upset was ultimately denied after two judges scored the fight 114-114.
Another scorecard of 115-113 for ‘Tank’ was then produced, leaving Roach feeling aggrieved at not only the actions of Willis but the officiating in general.
Still, while his assignment was far removed from what he expected it to be, Davis has hinted at a potential rematch with Roach further down the line.
Not only that, but in the wake of his draw, the American has also been highly critical of his performance, promising to return to training before long.
“I’m getting back in the gym in like a week,” Davis told media members at his post-fight press conference.
“Hopefully we can get [the rematch] – it probably won’t be this year. It’s definitely the one I want next, but it’s not going to be next.”
Before his dustup with Roach, Davis claimed that he planned to retire by the end of this year, wishing to become a better father for his two daughters.
But now, it would appear that his exit from the sport is far from near, with the ferocious puncher instead looking to get back to winning ways.
“It’s definitely changed my [retirement] plans,” Davis continued. “I’ve probably got like four more fights now.”
