Gervonta Davis accused of avoiding rematch of controversial fight which led to big inquest

Gervonta Davis has been accused of deliberately ignoring a sequel with Lamont Roach, a fight which ended in huge controversy.

In Davis’ last outing, he was held to a contentious draw with Lamont Roach last March, which many believed was unfortunate for the title challenger.

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During the bout, Davis voluntarily took a knee in a moment which wasn’t scored a knockdown much to the frustration of Roach’s camp.

The bout was subject to investigation and it even saw a rule change that it would now be scored as such from now on in bouts.

A rematch was ordered but Davis instead signed for a showdown with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, an event which was later cancelled due to his legal issues outside of the ring.

Now over a year on from his last outing, he is now in advanced talks over a comeback second meeting with former rival Isaac Cruz.

It will come as a surprise to many that he didn’t plan to settle his wrong with Roach, whom has on many occasions pleaded for redemption.

The former world champion’s father believes it is telling that Davis has turned his attentions back towards Cruz.

He said: “Davis already beat Pitbull [Cruz].

“If he’s going to fight, everybody wants to see the rematch [with Roach]. Nobody is calling for that fight. He already beat him.

“It was a good fight but there was no question on who won the fight. Tank won that fight.

“To fight him over us I don’t see the logic in that. We can’t get these guys back in the ring with us so that says a lot about my son.”

Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach – world titles this year?

For Davis it has been a turbulent period inside and outside of the ring.

And given he was subject to an arrest warrant for domestic violence allegations, he was stripped of his WBA lightweight title.

Davis is still considered the ‘champion in recess’, and does have the right to challenge for the belt, which could be on the line against Cruz.

Of course if he takes victory, a showdown with Roach will once again face louder growing calls again.

Particularly given his fellow countryman looks in line to challenge for a world title of his own.

Roach has been ordered to face William Zepeda for the WBC vacant lightweight title next, and a victory would give Davis more incentive to renew their rivalry.

Gervonta Davis looks set to return to the ring this year but he has already been criticised for seemingly avoiding one fight in particular.

Davis is a three-weight world champion, holding gold at super featherweight, lightweight and super lightweight throughout his career.

His most recent reign came at 135lbs, where he held the WBA title before being stripped of his belt late last year.

That came after ‘Tank’ was involved in legal trouble, with an arrest warrant issued for domestic violence accusations. It means it’s been over 12 months since his last bout – Lamont Roach in March 2025.

READ: “Gervonta is not a bad dude”: Despite Arrest Controversy Rolly Romero Shows Support for Gervonta Davis

It was a close fight which ended in a majority decision draw, though a lot of boxing fans felt that Roach had done enough to earn the victory and hand Davis his first loss, especially after a potential knockdown wasn’t awarded to the challenger.

Despite the controversy, a rematch hasn’t materialised, and ‘Tank’ has instead stated his desire to face Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz next, a man that he beat back in 2021. The fight is reportedly in talks to be staged in summer.

That is something that Roach’s father and trainer Lamont Sr isn’t happy about. He told Mill City Boxing that Davis is avoiding the fight that the fans want to see.

“Davis already beat Pitbull. If he’s going to fight, everybody wants to see the rematch [with Roach]. Nobody calling for [the Pitbull fight]. He already beat him.

“It was a good fight but there was no question on who won the fight. Tank won that fight. To fight him over us I don’t see the logic in that. We can’t get these guys back in the ring with us so that says a lot about my son.”

Roach fought Cruz himself in December, with their clash for the interim WBC super-lightweight title also ending in a majority decision draw.

While it looks like he will miss out on a clash with Davis, Roach could fight for the WBC lightweight title, after the governing body recently ordered a fight against William Zepeda for the vacant belt.

Rolly Romero Shows Support for Gervonta Davis Despite Arrest Controversy

While the boxing world distances itself from Gervonta Davis amid serious criminal charges, an unlikely voice has emerged to defend him.

The former WBA lightweight champion was arrested in Miami on January 28 on charges of battery, false imprisonment, and attempted kidnapping. According to reports, ‘Tank’ allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend, Courtney Rossel, in October of last year. He has since been released from prison after posting an $8,500 bond along with a “no contact” order. Despite the severity of the incident and the allegations made against him, a former rival of his, Rolando Romero, doesn’t think of him in the same way.

“I have so much love for Gervonta,” Romero told Brian Custer on the Last Stand Podcast recently. “It’s unbelievable the amount of love I have for him. Everything that he’s gone through, Gervonta is not a bad dude. I could see it in the soul. He’s not somebody who will sit down and plot [against] you… You can tell he’s just a reactive person. He has no hate. He has no true evil in his heart. I truly believe he’s a good man, and I know he’ll get through this all.”

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According to the police report, Gervonta Davis entered a strip club back on October 27 and had a confrontation with his ex-girlfriend. He then allegedly took the woman to a back room, where he attacked and restrained her. The report also states that Davis grabbed his ex by her hair and throat before threatening her, saying, “You think I would not find you.”

Gervonta Davis later took his ex-girlfriend to the club’s parking lot, where he released her. The two first met in 2022 and briefly dated for five months in 2025. However, their relationship eventually ended, after which she cut off all communication with Davis. Rossel has since filed a civil lawsuit against the Baltimore native, and as part of Davis’ release from prison, he has been ordered to have no contact with his ex-girlfriend.

The 31-year-old has a history of such incidents. However, most of them have been dropped. As of now, Gervonta Davis remains out of jail, and the latest reports reveal that he is in advanced talks with former rival Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz for a rematch this summer. The pair fought in December 2021 in Los Angeles, where Tank won via unanimous decision. As for Rolando Romero, he may be able to relate to Davis’ current situation.

Rolando Romero was once investigated for s—al assault ahead of his Gervonta Davis bout

‘Rolly’ Romero had been set to challenge Davis on December 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. But he was pulled from the bout in late October after a woman accused him on X and filed a report with the Henderson Police Department. Despite the allegation, the investigation later concluded without charges. According to the police report, the allegations did not meet the legal elements of s–ual assault.

“After ‘false accusations, having to miss out on opportunities, cheated out of my dream, and out of a massive amount of wealth,’ the investigation into the allegations made against me has been formally closed,” Romero addressed the outcome in an Instagram statement. “Charges were not filed because the allegations could not be substantiated, because, as I always stated, I am innocent.”

Romero later fought Gervonta Davis in May 2022, where he suffered a sixth-round knockout loss to Tank.

From the looks of things, Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero clearly believes Gervonta Davis will be exonerated. However, only time will tell whether the allegations against Davis turn out to be false, like in Romero’s case. While Romero sees a path to redemption for Davis, the boxer’s future now rests not in the ring but in the hands of the justice system.

Haney calls Tank Davis an underachiever, questions Cruz rematch

Haney says the Baltimore star has not tested himself against the best fighters in the sport

Devin Haney criticized Gervonta “Tank” Davis, calling the unbeaten star an underachiever. Haney said Davis has not tested himself against the best fighters in the sport.

Haney believes Davis possesses elite ability but has not built the kind of career that should accompany that level of skill. The former undisputed lightweight champion pointed to Gervonta’s activity level and choice of opponents as reasons he believes the Baltimore fighter has fallen short of what his ability could produce. “Gervonta Davis, I think he’s a really good fighter.

READ: Gervonta Davis close to securing comeback fight as opponent na

He’s an underachiever,” Haney said to InsideRingShow. “I think he has so much talent. I believe his outside of the ring issues stop him from reaching his full potential, and him not wanting to test himself against the best fighters in the world. A guy like ‘Pitbull’ Cruz is a fight that no one asked for.”

Some fans quickly came to Davis’s defense on social media by pointing to his 2023 seventh-round stoppage of Ryan Garcia. The result remains a common comparison point because Garcia later upset Haney in April 2024, dropping him three times on the way to a decision victory.

For Davis supporters, that chain of results is used to argue that Haney’s criticism carries less weight. Devin’s remarks arrive as Gervonta and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz move closer to a second fight. Several boxing outlets have reported that the two sides are in advanced discussions for a rematch expected sometime this summer, although no date or venue has been finalized.

Their first meeting came in December 2021 at lightweight, when Tank won a close unanimous decision after twelve competitive rounds. Pitbull’s pressure made the fight one of the toughest nights of Davis’s career, and the Mexican contender has pursued a second meeting ever since.

Talks for a rematch are expected to place the fight at 140 pounds rather than the 135-pound limit used in their first meeting. Issac’s team has pushed publicly for the second bout for months, arguing that the original meeting left unfinished business between the two fighters.

Haney has long been linked to Gervonta in fan discussions about the best fights available around lightweight and light welterweight. His criticism reflects a view held by some observers who believe Davis’s power and ability have not always been matched by the level of opposition he has faced.

Tank remains one of boxing’s biggest attractions, but the list of elite opponents on his record is still thinner than many expected at this stage of his career. Devin’s point is direct: the talent has never been in question, yet the biggest tests have appeared less often than they should.

Gervonta Davis close to securing comeback fight as opponent named

Gervonta Davis appears to be on the brink of confirming his return to the ring.

Davis was last in action in March 2025 when he was held to a majority decision draw against Lamont Roach in a defence of his WBA lightweight title.

It was a controversial result, with many feeling that Roach did enough to get the nod, especially after a knockdown wasn’t awarded in his favour after ‘Tank’ voluntarily chose to take a knee in round nine.

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The 12 months that followed have left many questioning if Davis would ever be back in action at all. A planned exhibition with Jake Paul in November was cancelled due to the Baltimore man being named in a civil lawsuit regarding domestic allegations, just the latest in a string of issues outside of the ropes.

Further drama materialised after an arrest warrant was issued for ‘Tank’ citing similar accusations, leading to him to be stripped of his WBA lightweight title.

Despite all of that, Davis does now look set to return, after it was reported by Mike Coppinger that he is in advanced talks for a clash against Isaac Cruz, a man that ‘Tank’ named as his number one target late last year.

Davis has already secured a win over Cruz, who was last in action in December when he fought to a majority decision draw with former ‘Tank’ foe Roach – the man most feel should be getting the chance to face him again.

Gervonta Davis had his world title taken before fighting Ryan Garcia’s easiest opponent

Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis is now 30-0-1 after drawing with Lamont Roach Jr. in his most recent outing.

The fight marked Davis’ first time falling shy of a victory, and one of just two times he has gone the full 12-round distance.

However, this isn’t the only stain on his record, as in 2017, after just one defense of his world title, Davis was stripped of the super-featherweight belt.

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Gervonta Davis was stripped of his title after missing weight ahead of fight with Francisco Fonseca

Davis knocked out Jose Pedraza to win the IBF super-featherweight title before defending just once in London against Liam Walsh.

After that he was matched up with 19-0-1 Francisco Fonseca, but was unable to defend his belt against him as he was stripped of it after missing weight, making it only on the line for Fonseca.

Fonseca would not win the title, though, as Davis, who lost to Joet Gonzalez as an amateur, won by eighth-round stoppage, handing Fonseca his first pro defeat.

Three years later, Ryan Garcia knocked Fonseca out in the opening round to set up a world title shot against Luke Campbell, doing what took Davis eight rounds in just one.

Ryan Garcia was seen crying after his second career defeat

Garcia lost for the second time in his career, and first time on points, in his last fight, when underdog Rolly Romero spoiled the party with a major upset over an unimpressive-looking Garcia.

The star was supposed to secure a win to set up a rematch with Devin Haney, but it is unclear if that fight will still go ahead. Floyd Mayweather predicted Romero vs Garcia six years ago.

Garcia was seen crying in his car on social media immediately after the devastating loss.

Gervonta Davis isn’t as good as we think he is, reveals a former sparring partner and world champion

I would f**k him up

Despite his inactivity, Gervonta Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) remains one of the most heralded figures in the boxing world.

Tank last won in 2024, knocking out Frank Martin, though he has since succumbed to a controversial draw against Lamont Roach Jr., while battling legal troubles outside of the ring.

READ: Why Gervonta Davis’ Mid-2026 Return Talk Heats Up Amid Arrest

Nevertheless, he is still the man to beat in the lightweight and super lightweight divisions.

As a result of his ongoing legal battles, ‘Tank’ remains inactive and was recently stripped of his WBA lightweight title.

Has his inactivity taken the edge off the once fearsome ruler at 135 lbs? Keyshawn Davis thinks so.

Speaking to Oblivion, fellow former lightweight champion Davis (14-0, 10 KOs) revealed that he would make easy work of his countryman should he ever feel the itch to return to the fight game.

“I think that bro can fight, for real. His power is his best attribute, for sure.”

Davis went on to reveal that the pair had sparred in the past, stating that he never found ‘Tank’ to field much of a challenge in their previous encounters.

“I have sparred him twice, I actually sparred him at the Floyd Mayweather Gym, the second time I sparred him.

“That sh*t was easy too. I don’t like to keep talking sh*t about Tank because I don’t wanna seem like I am d**k-riding him, but I would f**k him up for sure.”

Report: Gervonta Davis’ Mid-2026 Return Talk Heats Up Amid Arrest Warrant Drama

Gervonta Davis may not be done yet.

The Baltimorean has been making headlines, not for boxing, though. Legal troubles led to his arrest by law enforcement in late January on domestic battery allegations, followed by another arrest warrant saga in Baltimore.

Though he secured bail in the Miami case and the Baltimore warrant was reportedly recalled by the judge, the entire fiasco raised questions about the lightweight phenom’s future in boxing. Meanwhile, it’s been 12 months since Davis stepped into the ring. His inactivity since the controversial draw against Lamont Roach Jr. in March 2025 forced the WBA to designate him a “champion in recess.” Only later did it emerge that Tank had been stripped of his belt. However, the latest report indicates the former champion could make a comeback by midyear.

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Taking a cue from a Mexican boxing journalist for ESPN, Salvador Rodriguez’s latest tweet, Pound4our4Pound reported that Gervonta Davis vs Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz & Lamont Roach vs William Zepeda are reportedly being discussed for the middle of the year.

For the record, Rodriguez had only shared a collage of pictures—Isaac Cruz and Gervonta Davis alongside Roach Jr. and Zepeda—saying, ” What’s brewing for midyear.” The speculation likely stems from recent reports about the vacant WBA and WBC belts at 135 pounds, along with comments from his trainer.

“He ain’t gone nowhere. ‘Tank’ is still here,” Calvin Ford told The Rize Podcast. “… When he comes back, it’s got to be the right fight because we want to entertain… He will be back in the mix. Y’all got to remember ‘Tank’ been doing this sh-t since he was seven years old. Sometimes you need that reset… Going through things that he’s been going through… he looks happy.”

Early this week, Dan Rafael reported that the WBA is planning to send letters ordering a title fight between number one contender Floyd Schofield Jr. and Lucas Bahdi. Reports that the WBC officially ordered a matchup between its top-ranked contender, William Zepeda and the No. 2-ranked contender, Lamont Roach Jr., soon followed.

Against that backdrop, Roach Jr. had faced Tank Davis on March 1 last year. With the latter taking a voluntary knee in the ninth round – for which he went unpunished – the fight ended in controversial fashion. Later reports indicated that both sides had planned a rematch, but it fell apart as Davis became embroiled in one legal tussle after another.

An opportunity arrived with the money-making exhibition against Jake Paul on November 15. But Davis’ involvement in a civil lawsuit forced the cancellation of the fight.

What Gervonta Davis’ return would mean for the 135-pound title picture

For Gervonta Davis, the fallout was significant. A fighter who became one of boxing’s biggest draws – the proverbial “face of boxing” – saw his status shift from champion to one of the sport’s most controversial figures, coinciding with his comments about leaving boxing.

Taken together, the rumored matchup against Pit Bull Cruz should relieve diehard fans who have been looking forward to his return.

If true, Tank and Pit Bull would be facing each other for the second time. The duo faced off four years ago, and the fight ended in a tough unanimous decision win for the American. Cruz became the second fighter to take the formidable Tank the whole distance.

With Tank Davis getting back in the mix, the division becomes more intriguing. If he defeats Cruz once again and Roach Jr. secures a win over Zepeda, then they stand a chance to meet again for title unification. If Cruz prevails over a ring-rusted Davis and Roach Jr. defeats Zepeda, a rematch between them could loom. The coming months should clarify whether Tank reshapes the division or becomes part of its uncertainty.

Former world champion says he’ll make Gervonta Davis fight look easy: “I’ll whoop him”

Gervonta Davis remains regarded as one of the most fearsome knockout artists in the sport, but there is one former world champion who is extremely confident of handing ‘Tank’ his first professional defeat, after having success in sparring.

Davis last won a fight in June 2024, when he knocked out Frank Martin, controversially drawing with Lamont Roach Jr in his lone bout since, with a host of issues outside of the ring possibly having an impact on his performance inside of it.

READ: Gervonta Davis: WBA lightweight title fight set after Gervonta Davis

Issues with the law continue to intervene with what should be the prime years of the 31-year-old Baltimore brute, who has now been stripped of his WBA lightweight world title, but it remains unknown when, or if, ‘Tank’ will make his return to the sport.

Should he opt to return to the fight game, fellow former lightweight ruler, Keyshawn Davis, told Oblivion that he is confident of being able to ‘f**k Tank up’ after ‘easy’ sparring sessions in the past.

“I think that bro can fight, for real. His power is his best attribute, for sure.

“I have sparred him twice, I actually sparred him at the Floyd Mayweather Gym, the second time I sparred him.

“That sh*t was easy too. I don’t like to keep talking sh*t about Tank because I don’t wanna seem like I am d**k-riding him, but I would f**k him up for sure.”

Keyshawn Davis knocked out Jamaine Ortiz in his first fight up at 140lbs since losing his lightweight world title, but it remains to be seen whether ‘The Businessman’ will stick around at super-lightweight or move up to the welterweight scene this year.