“Be careful what you wish for; you might get it,” so goes the saying. In the boxing world, perhaps no one personifies it better than Gervonta Davis. Having hinted at retirement since last year, the lightweight champion now appears to be facing its repercussions. One need not look far. The ongoing melodrama with Lamont Roach Jr. is evidence enough. Months after chasing a rematch with Davis, Team Roach now seems ready to move on to greener pastures.

Months after speaking about retirement, Gervonta Davis‘s match against Lamont Roach Jr. turned out to be largely uneventful. His conduct, the referee’s apparent indecision, and the final outcome placed him under intense scrutiny. To salvage his slipping reputation, a rematch seemed the only feasible recourse. A date even surfaced, only to fizzle out when news broke that Tank had opted for an exhibition with Jake Paul. Frustrated by the fate of the rematch, Roach Jr. decided to disengage and now looks forward to a bigger fortune in a higher division. As he prepares for a major showdown against Isaac Cruz, Roach Jr. would rather Tank stay happily retired.

Lamont Roach Jr.: From Gervonta Davis’s shadow to new horizons

The super featherweight champion’s father spilled the beans during an interview with Marcos Villegas. Considering Gervonta Davis’s talk of retirement and the growing narrative that he might be somewhat ‘checked out,’ the Fight Hub TV founder asked whether a rematch was still possible. According to Lamont Roach Sr., they were largely responsible for putting Tank in the position he finds himself in today. “We checked him out,” he said, adding, “We checked him out, and if he retires—retire, you know—we wish him the best in his retired life.”

As for the rematch, they don’t hold out much hope. “But if we do, we’ll see,” Roach Sr. stated. For now, their priorities lie elsewhere. They are targeting fights against other major stars. “We could be the next American star out here; we’ve got goals to accomplish, and we’re not focused on that, and that is not in our mindset right now.”

For the time being, Lamont Roach Jr. is focused on his much-anticipated clash with the hard-hitting Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz. Beyond that, plenty of opportunities await. With reports suggesting that a few undercard fights from the canceled Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman event will join the December 6 card at First Bank Center, the Roach-Cruz bout may turn out to be one of the year’s best shows.

Many now blame Gervonta Davis for the predicament he currently faces.

Run it back while there’s still time

Long criticized for sidestepping stronger challenges, Davis’s reputation didn’t improve when he chose to defend his title against Lamont Roach Jr. At a press conference last year, he declared, “After next year, I’m out of it… Out of the sport.” Now claiming that ‘boxing is dead,‘ he lambasts fans for their disloyalty.

And when the fight came, his performance against Roach Jr.’s robust pushback only rubbed salt in the wound. In particular, the ninth-round incident, when he went unpunished after taking a voluntary knee, and the subsequent draw made Tank a target of criticism.

Perhaps a rematch could have helped. In fact, it still might. After his exhibition with Jake Paul, Davis could return and give Roach Jr. the opportunity he deserves. Such an honorable move could help restore his image before he finally hangs up his gloves if that’s indeed what he intends to do.

Do you agree with Lamont Roach Sr.’s contention?