There’s more than local pride at stake in ‘Tank’ Davis-Lamont Roach Jr. fight, says Roach’s father

Lamont Roach Sr., father and coach of WBA junior lightweight Lamont Roach Jr., knows his son faces a significant challenge in his December 14 bout against WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis at the Toyota Center in Houston, but he believes the moment holds special meaning for both personal and regional reasons.

“Lamont and Tank have history and were amateur rivals,” Roach Sr. said. “Baltimore vs. D.C. is real. They fought and sparred many times. It’s always been great work on both sides. To see them now compete on the biggest stage is a special moment.”

The fight will mark Roach Jr.’s (25-1-1, 10 KOs) first time headlining a pay-per-view and his second official bout at lightweight, following a 2014 catchweight fight against Rafael Francis. Roach Jr., 29, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, will take on the undefeated Davis (30-0, 28 KOs), also 29, of Baltimore.

Roach Sr. emphasized that the significance of the fight goes beyond the ring. While the No Xcuses Boxing Gym, where Roach Jr. trains, has produced numerous professional fighters, its primary mission has always been to guide young people.

“It’s great for young kids in this area and young, aspiring boxers around the world,” Roach Sr. said. “I was really hoping it would land in the DMV, but I guess we’re taking it to the great city and state of Houston, Texas.”

The fight also highlights a historic rivalry between the two boxing clubs that shaped both fighters, NoXcuse Boxing and Upton Boxing.

“I mentioned the history between Tank and Lamont, but it’s also history between the two boxing clubs that produced these world champions,” Roach Sr. added.

Roach Jr., who has been boxing since the age of nine, has long been a standout at No Xcuses Boxing Gym. According to his father, this fight represents the culmination of years of hard work.

“We’ve been a top fighter since we started,” Roach Sr. said. “We accomplished a lot in the amateurs and the pro ranks. We’re a world champion, and we belong here. The world will see.”

Roach Jr. isn’t shying away from the challenge of moving up in weight to face Davis, widely regarded as one of boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters. Roach claimed the WBA junior lightweight title last November after defeating Hector Luis Garcia, a former Davis opponent. Earlier this year, he successfully defended his title at home, stopping the previously undefeated Feargal McCrory in the eighth round.

Davis, also has fought just once in 2024, delivering an eighth-round knockout of Frank Martin in June. Prior to that, Davis scored a high-profile stoppage of Ryan Garcia in a pay-per-view blockbuster in April 2023.

“We are very happy and excited for this opportunity to compete for another world title in a second weight division against what many consider one of the best in boxing right now,” Roach Sr. said.