By Arthur Rooks, Boxing Contributor

Rumors are swirling that Gervonta “Tank” Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) may defend his WBA ‘regular’ lightweight title against Lamont Roach (25-1, 15 KOs) in a pay-per-view clash this December. Roach, the current WBA super featherweight champion, would be stepping up to the 135-pound division to challenge Davis in what Dan Rafael described as a “regional grudge match” between two fighters from the D.C.-Baltimore area. While Roach was once considered a rising star, his recent performances have not inspired much confidence, leading to mixed reactions from boxing fans about this potential matchup.

For Davis, this fight seems like a low-risk defense following his successful title defense against Frank Martin in June. While Tank’s camp explored other high-profile opponents, including a potential unification bout with Vasiliy Lomachenko, nothing materialized. Roach, who hasn’t faced elite competition at lightweight, will have a tough task ahead against a dominant and powerful Tank Davis, who has 28 knockouts in his undefeated career. Many boxing pundits, including former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney, have expressed disappointment, with Haney even mocking the fight on social media.

Despite the criticism, Tank Davis remains one of the biggest draws in boxing, and a victory over Roach would only add to his growing resume. However, fans continue to push for Davis to face top-tier opponents like Devin Haney or Teofimo Lopez to settle long-standing rivalries. Should Davis successfully defend his title in December, the pressure will only mount for him to step into the ring with one of the sport’s elite in 2024.