Now come on – it’s not for nothing that he received the WBA’s permission to scale up and mount a charge against the formidable ‘Tank’? To have come this far when he’s just days away from making history, should Lamont Roach Jr. sing the blues simply because someone can see where things are headed? Far from that. He wears the crown for a reason. Rather than appearing worried and sick as many would expect him to, the super featherweight champion sounded gun-ho and poetic as he posted a message – he already foresees himself lifting the black belt encrusted with precious gold.
The 29-year-old’s zealous anticipation follows Terence Crawford‘s blunt admission. The former undisputed champion opined that in the current landscape, only close friend Shakur Stevenson and stablemate Keyshawn Davis, who finally made it to the lightweight championship roster, are competent enough to inflict a momentous defeat on Gervonta Davis. It’s true Lamont Roach Jr. is locked in a battle against impossible. But so did Muhammad Ali when he faced George Foreman in Kinshasa. What subsequently unfolded placed ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ in history books.
Though beginning with the much-cliched ‘roses are red and violets are blue,’ Lamont Roach Jr. made it clear – come March 1, and the world will greet the new WBA lightweight champion. “Roses are red, violets are blue, March 1st sounds like AND THE NEW ,” he said.
Roses are red violets are blue, March 1st sounds like AND THE NEW
— Lamont Roach Jr (@OneOf1x) February 14, 2025
It didn’t take much time before reactions poured in. From endorsement to plain rejection, it was clear fans were thoroughly enjoying the light banter. With the fight closing in, it’s critical that the Washington, D.C.-born fighter has to be and exude confidence. Just two days ago, Terence Crawford perhaps played spoilsport.
Joining Shakur Stevenson and many others to show support for Keyshawn Davis, Crawford was interacting with a bunch of reporters. With ‘The Businessman’ becoming the new WBO lightweight champion, a potential clash with Gervonta Davis has suddenly become a reality.
Lamont Roach Jr. is missing!
So a reporter checked for the upcoming title unification prospects. “Whoever,” shrugged Terence Crawford, adding further that Gervonta Davis knows the challenges facing him. “He knows what he is up against when he fights Shakur or Keyshawn,” Crawford stated.
The usual ‘Tank’ criticism wasn’t far. Like many, Crawford also highlighted how Gervonta Davis has been facing opponents who barely match him in skills. “They might have a little skill here and there, but mentally wise, they’re not going to be able to keep it up that whole fight,” he said. So does that nameless list include Lamont Roach Jr.?
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 07: Gervonta Davis punches Hector Luis Garcia in their WBA World Lightweight Championship bout at Capital One Arena on January 7, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Certainly Crawford didn’t mention ‘The Reaper’s name among the ones who will eventually let ‘Tank’ Davis savor the bitter taste of defeat. “Them two guys (Shakur and Keyshawn) right there, you know what I mean, is going to be the ones that, you know, give him (Tank) his first defeat,” the Nebraskan concluded.
Now Lamont Roach Jr. need not lament altogether. These are personal views. Of course he can stage a huge upset. But the question still bothers: can he pull it off against Gervonta Davis? Considering that the Baltimorean is aiming at a potential retirement, he might want to abdicate the throne on a high note. A legacy that matches the one belonging to Rocky Marciano or his former mentor, but now bête noire Floyd Mayweather Jr.
But miracles never cease, right!
What about you? Do you agree with Terrence Crawford’s contentions about Gervonta Davis’ first defeat?
The post Lamont Roach Jr. Refuses to Silent as Terence Crawford Ruins His Day With Bold Gervonta Davis Prediction appeared first on EssentiallySports.