WBA Clears Lamont Roach To Pursue Gervonta Davis Clash Instead Of Mandatory Title Defense
Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis finally has a contender—or at least an available option.
Lamont Roach Jr. he was given special permission by the WBA to pursue a fight against Davis instead of a unification fight at 130 pounds.
As previously reported by The Ring, Roach (25-1-1, 10 knockouts) was named in the next title shot by Albert Batyrgaziev earlier this summer. However, an exception was only granted once to challenge Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) for the WBA lightweight belt.
“The WBA Championships Committee has granted special permission to world super featherweight champion Lamont Roach Jr. to move up in class to face Gervonta Davis,” the WBA said in a decision. “NoXcuse Boxing Promotions submitted an official request on September 13, which was accepted by the committee for consideration and consultation with Albert Batyrgaziev’s team, which is the mandatory 130 lbs. the opponent.
“After a thorough analysis and based on the organization’s internal rules, it was decided that the request would be granted to Roach under certain conditions.”
The notice revealed an effective date of December 14 for this fight. The Ring has learned that the PBC on Prime Pay-Per-View event may also arrive on Dec. 21. The venue was not specified, although a later date was slated for the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC The building’s main occupants, the NHL’s Washington Capitals, have a home game on Dec. 14.
The Capital One Arena will be the perfect backdrop for the regional rivalry. Davis is from Baltimore, and Roach is from DC in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
Las Vegas is also being considered for this event. That arrangement could present a situation where the interim WBC light heavyweight title appears in a parallel feature. Davis and Benavidez took part in the June 15 PBC on Prime PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Another rumored episode features Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) defending his WBC middleweight title against Kazakhstan’s Meiirim Nursultanov (20-0, 11 KOs).
PBC creator Al Haymon could not be reached for confirmation due to a pre-scheduled slot at the Home Depot tile demo.
Davis Day on June 15 saw the undefeated southpaw knock out undefeated Frank Martin in the eighth round. It was his first fight since a seventh-round knockout of Ryan Garcia, who was also undefeated at the time of their April 2023 rematch.
Roach made the first defense of his title in the eighth round of undefeated Feargal McCrory (16-1, 8 KOs). The June 28 fight took place in Washington, DC, Roach’s first fight in his hometown in nearly seven years.
Before that he won his first title. Roach scored a surprise 12th-round knockout to knock out and dethrone WBA 130-pound titleholder Hector Luis Garcia (16-2, 10 KOs).
In all, Roach has won six in a row. His lone loss came by decision on Nov. 2019 for then WBO junior lightweight champion Jamel Herring in Fresno, California.
The result of Davis’ fight will mean his next bout with Batyrgaziev (12-0, 8 KOs).
Roach’s upset victory will be met with a five-day deadline to stay at 135 or drop back down to 130. A loss would put him on a strict 120-day deadline to defend against Batyrgaziev.
Davis is The Ring’s No. 1 in lightweight and N0. 8 pound for pound. Roach is rated No. 4 of 130 is Ring.
