Gervonta "Tank" Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) is defending his WBA World Lightweight Title against WBA Super Featherweight Champion Lamont Roach (25-1-1, 10 KOs) this Saturday at Barclays Center.
And the entire world is expecting another Tank knockout.
Let's dive into why.
Tank Davis vs. Lamont Roach Breakdown
This isn't a 50-50 fight, but the attention this receives will be a reminder of why Davis is as bright a star as there is in the sport of boxing. And yet, people continually want more because, for example, while Roach is a champion coming up in weight — the second such champion Davis is defending his title against in just over two years.
Roach is clearly a qualified champion at 130 pounds, but he's stepping into an entirely new realm this Saturday against a top-10 pound-for-pound talent who has knocked out all but two opponents.
Davis again enters with a height and reach disadvantage and it won't matter. Davis, who is listed around 5-foot-5, is two inches shorter than the leaner Roach, and also has a reach disadvantage of approximately 67 to 68 inches.
Still, Davis is expected to be in control of most of the fight.
A typical Tank bout goes as follows. He gives up most of the first half, occasionally losing midway through on the cards, but by then, he will have already turned the tide in his favor. He pressures you like few others in boxing, he's an underrated counter-puncher, his defense is better than purported to be, and his in-ring IQ is really what breaks down opponents en route to an often late stoppage. (I covered much of this on my own YouTube channel.)
Roach, interestingly enough, emphasized power in his media workout at Gleason's Gym on Wednesday.
In reality, Roach's team needs to play the long game. Use his range to hit Tank in between those big power shots, constantly use the ring, box from the outside, andnot go power for power with the heaviest hitter of boxing's lighter weight classes.
But ultimately, Tank is just better. Roach is talented. He outlasted Hector Luis Garcia in a minor upset to win this WBA title at 130 pounds in November of 2023 via split decision in a very close fight. That contest was Garcia's first in 10 months — and that was an eighth round TKO loss to none other than Tank.
So yes, Tank has done this before, too. He's obliterated lighter competition, like Garcia and Leo Santa Cruz. Roach isn't expected to be much different unless we're treated to one of boxing's biggest upsets in at least a half-decade.
Davis vs. Roach Prediction, Pick
I'm running back the same Tank bet I have for three straight fights. Davis to win in Rounds 7-12 at +100 on DraftKings was what I played on Wednesday. For casuals, this means for Tank to win by knockout or technical knockout in this range.
I think Roach is skilled enough to make it beyond Round 6, and Davis has hit this in five of eight. If you want, Rounds 5-8 also provide good value and have a 75% hit rate over his last four fights, though obviously riskier given that you're losing two rounds. The three misses were two Round 6 stoppages and one unanimous decision against Isaac Cruz.
In that bout with Cruz, he injured his hand and was largely not the stalking knockout artist he typically is, finding another way to win despite the setback.
But this time, barring a shocking outcome, it should be the same ol' Tank, and hopefully, a superfight with Shakur Stevenson to follow, but that's just the hope of many and not yet grounded in any actual negotiation.
Pick: Tank Davis to win in Rounds 7-12 (+100)
