Lamont Roach Jr. handed Gervonta Davis his first professional career setback earlier this year. Now, as the two prepare for a rematch, Roach has announced intentions to move up significantly in weight afterward.
Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs), the current WBA super-featherweight champion, stepped up to lightweight in March to challenge `Tank` for the WBA title. The fight, widely predicted to be lopsided, surprisingly ended in a majority draw.
Despite achieving this result against the fighter often called the `face of boxing`, Roach expressed disappointment, feeling he had done enough to secure the win and take the title from the Baltimore native.
A rematch is scheduled for August. Roach aims to right what he sees as a wrong, while Davis seeks to erase the memory of the draw and reinforce his standing as a superstar and pound-for-pound elite.
Speaking on his Twitch stream, Roach stated that a victory in the rematch would signal his departure from the lightweight division. `The Reaper` revealed his ambition to move up to welterweight (147lbs) and challenge the winner of a potential fight between Brian Norman Jr. and Devin Haney for the WBC title.
He was quoted saying: “After I beat Tank, I am fighting the winner of Devin Haney and Brian Norman, there you go. I am not going to say it again… that is what I am doing. You heard it here first.” He confirmed the target weight: “At 147lbs? Yes, at 147lbs.”
Brian Norman Jr. is currently considered a strong candidate for Fighter of the Year, having successfully defended his title twice by knockout this year. The 24-year-old, recognized as boxing`s youngest current world champion, is reportedly preparing for his most challenging fight yet in November against Devin Haney, a bout expected to be formally announced soon.
