IMMEDIATELY you think rematch.
That would have been running through the minds of many after the result of Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach was announced by master of ceremonies Jimmy Lennon Jr last night.
Judges Glenn Feldman, Eric Marlinski and Steve Weisfeld reached the verdict of a majority draw with only Marlinski separating the two fighters with his 115-113 card to Davis. Feldman and Weisfeld both scored it 114-114.
In the post-fight press conference Davis was asked if the rematch was what he wanted next. The WBA lightweight champion replied, “It’s definitely the one that I want next. But it’s not going to be next.”
So who will be opponent number 32 for Davis? And who will be the 29th for the WBA super featherweight titlist Roach? Boxing News presents a few options for both.
GERVONTA DAVIS VS…
Shakur Stevenson
WBC Lightweight champion
Record: 23-0 (11 KOs)
Stevenson’s promoter Eddie Hearn wants ‘Tank’ next for his man and the 135lbs unification is one of the few all-American super-fights out there. Getting both teams around the table and negotiating a deal could be difficult and the purses may have to hit the type of numbers that provide generational wealth. But boxing nowadays is known as a combat sport where the best do fight the best and if this can be made then anything is possible.
Teofimo Lopez
WBO Super Lightweight champion
Record: 21-1 (13 KOs)
The type of star Davis is and the talent he possesses should be pushing him into must-see fights and huge sporting events. So far, only his clash against Ryan Garcia fitted those criteria. Lopez, who must get past Arnold Barboza Jr next, doesn’t have the star power of Garcia but he’s a better fighter and would no doubt talk his way towards making this a box-office attraction. Davis dipped into the 140lb world over three years ago, he could do it again.
Keyshawn Davis
WBO Lightweight champion
Record: 13-0 (9 KOs)
Keyshawn’s victory over Denys Berinchyk was proof that ‘The Businessman’ is not only good enough to be a world champion but that his ceiling is far higher. A unification against Gervonta could be seen as too soon, but the WBO champ’s confidence and momentum are at an all-time high, and he would absolutely fancy the job.
All three fights above are possible but certainly no guarantee of coming to fruition. If Davis is to be more active this year then it would rule out Lopez who fights in May. But if he doesn’t return till the second half of 2025 then it brings that contest back into play. There is no doubting the talent of ‘Tank’ but he now needs fights which bring quality and not just quantity to his record.
LAMONT ROACH VS…
Albert Batyrgaziev
WBA Interim Super Featherweight title holder
11-0 (8 KOs)
Based on the assumption that Roach stays at 130lbs and wants to keep his world title then mandatory challenger Batyrgaziev would be in the running to fight him this year. The 2020 Olympic Super Lightweight Gold Medallist did show some vulnerability in his win against Jono Carroll and Roach’s performance against Davis shows what level Batyrgasziev would need to reach. The Russian returns on March 7 against Neri Romero.
O’Shaquie Foster
WBC Super Featherweight champion
23-3 (12 KOs)
“The top guy on my list is definitely O’Shaquie Foster, because he’s a good fighter and we was talking s**t to each other. I’mma whoop him.” That was Roach’s intention during a post-fight interview after beating Feargal McCrory in June 2024. A few months later, the WBA gave Roach “special permission” to move to 135lbs and fight Davis. Roach may have one last tussle at super featherweight and a unification would be the perfect send-off before moving up again.
Floyd Schofield
WBA #2 Lightweight contender
18-0 (12 KOs)
Or does Roach ditch his title and go back to 135lbs with his mind set on getting Davis back in the ring? The WBA will likely reward him with a top five ranking and a win against the unbeaten young gun Schofield could earn him a mandatory title shot. Schofield will want a big fight, too, having been all set to face Shakur Stevenson earlier this month before illness ruled him out during fight week in Riyadh.
The career of Lamont Roach won with the draw against Gervonta Davis. Plenty believe he did enough to get the nod but regardless his reputation has been enhanced considerably. There will now be several fighters looking to knock him off his perch but he must decide what weight his future lies at.
