Gervonta Davis is fighting a familiar foe next. The American boxer has decided to run it back against Lamont Roach, a fighter whom he crossed paths with twice in their amateur careers. It seems they have unfinished business, which the challenger might like to put an end to.

Notably, Roach, 29, and Davis, 29, fought twice in their amateur careers at bigger stages. The first one came at the regional junior Olympics, the second one was at the national championships. Therefore, they are familiar with each other and know every trick under each other’s sleeve. However, according to Roach, at 25-1-1, he should have been one up at least in their two clashes.

‘The Reaper’ talked about his past fight with Davis, at 30-0, when he appeared in an interview with Broadway Joel some time back. When touching on his initial career and fighting ‘Tank,’ he declared, “I fought Gervonta Davis twice [in the amateurs]. I lost both times. The 1st one was a little [fishy]. No, they both are on YouTube! You can go watch them.”

The host then chimed in and pointed out, “The first looks a little fishy than the second one?” To this, Roach nodded in affirmation and then detailed that the first one came in Baltimore, Davis’ hometown, and after the USA Boxing went through the tape, they offered him a slot at nationals. He continued, “The first one, I fought him, was at Baltimore in the regional junior Olympics. My dad sent the tape to USA Boxing.”

But, as fate would have it, both Roach and Davis made it to the finals and had their second meeting, and the result remained the same. Roach added, “They were like, ‘We are gonna give you a grant to go to nationals’. We both made it to nationals. We made to the championship, we fought for the championship. He beat me in the championships so he won gold, and I won silver that year.”

The Washington native would finish his amateur career with an impressive record of 125-15 and soon make waves in the professional boxing world too. Now he is set to meet Davis for the third time. But there has been growing criticism about the matchup. However, Calvin Ford defended his disciple’s decision to fight Roach.

Calvin Ford explains why Gervonta Davis picked Lamont Roach

In a conversation with Fight Hype, Ford cited their previous meetings and battles. In addition, the Baltimore native admitted that Roach took the fight, which also pushed the negotiations. He declared. “They’ve been knowing each other since the amateurs, the Silver gloves, and everything. They grew up with each other… Everybody talking all that stuff, ‘Ah, why Roach?’ Because he took the fight, and it’s good for the community.”

According to Ford, it would be an interesting fight because Roach never shies from exchanges and would come to fight, despite his reputation as a skilled fighter. The fans might have different thoughts about it, as this is the third time the WBA champion has picked a fight with someone from a lower division to defend his gold strap. It remains to be seen when Roach will utilize the experience of their past encounters.

What do you make of these comments by Lamont Roach about Gervonta Davis? Who do you think will win their third encounter? Let us know in the comments below.