In a historic moment, boxing took center stage on the campus of Howard University, as Baltimore’s Gervonta “Tank” Davis and D.C. native Lamont “The Reaper” Roach Jr. took to Burr Gymnasium on Dec. 5, for their second press conference to promote their upcoming fight on March 1. “When we received the call to host the press conference with one of boxing’s biggest stars, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis against D.C.’s own Lamont Roach, we were ecstatic,” said Kery Davis, Howard University’s athletic director.Comedian BenDaDonn hosted the boxing press conference, which was open to the public, bringing out fans from all over the Washington metropolitan region. Many people were there in support of the hometown hero Roach, while some traveled down the beltway from Baltimore to support Davis.
“It means a lot, just even having Baltimore and D.C. come together. It’s all love under one house, Davis said. “I feel as though after this, it’s going to be great. It’s good for D.C. and Baltimore and it’s also good for the sport of boxing.”The rivalry between the two boxers goes back to their days fighting as amateurs. Davis and Roach have been in the ring twice before, with the Baltimore native winning both fights. “I was one of the best boxers in the country at that age and for a long time at every age. I won national titles at every age,” Roach explained. “When I happened to run into him. He got gold by the slightest little chance of luck and I got silver. But other than that, every other year, I was the number one fighter in the country.”
Although many in the audience were already familiar with Davis’ boxing accomplishments, the DMV community was reintroduced to Roach, who showcased a high level of confidence.“I think it’s where I’m supposed to be at, honestly,” Roach said. “I worked my a-s off to be here so, it’s about time. I’m something that he has not been in the ring with. I’m the total package.”
Coming into this thrilling matchup, Davis (30-0, 28 knockouts) is ranked No. 8 on ESPN’s pound-for-pound boxing list after defeating Frank Martin back in June. Roach (25-1-1, 10 knockouts), the current WBA super featherweight champion, moved up a weight class, at 135 pounds, to challenge Davis in the fiery Prime Video pay-per-view matchup. Students, Staff Weigh in on Significance of Moment for Howard, HBCUsThe boxing press conference at Howard, affectionately known as “the Mecca,” quickly became a full circle moment for students and faculty. Kyle Alexander, a Howard student and Baltimore native, shared his excitement of Davis’ appearance at his university. “Being from Baltimore, seeing Tank get to this level has been amazing for the city,” Alexander told
The Informer. “Every time he fights, the entire city has his back as a collective, and he wears that hometown pride. His presser at Howard also shows that he’s engaged with the HBCU community.”Student-athlete Brock Morgan said conducting the press conference was not only major for Howard, but for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in general.“I think the press conference being on campus was very important and very influential. I think it just goes back to support the fact that… it really is the top HBCU,” Morgan said. “Things like that don’t happen every day, you know, they certainly don’t happen on campus. For students to have this opportunity, to go see something like that live and in person, I think it’s a great thing.” Although he currently serves as athletic director, Davis said the press conference brought back memories of his days working in boxing at HBO. “But there was a personal stake in this for me,” Davis said. “I often get asked, as I’ve been at Howard now for nine years, ‘Do you miss it?’ And the answer is a resounding ‘Sometimes I really do.’”
This opportunity allows his former and current work worlds to collide in a way that furthers boxing and HBCUs in a major way.“Boxing events, a big boxing event, there is nothing like that energy,” Davis continued. “There is nothing like that environment and that’s why we’re proud to be even a small part of what will be a huge boxing event at Barclays coming up.”Tense Exchanges Ahead of the Big Fight After initial remarks, it didn’t take long for both fighters to start going at each other’s throats. Davis fired the first verbal shot of the event, which stimulated high energy from Roach and the crowd. “He better not bring his family. None of them can stop this,” said Davis.Roach didn’t let Tank’s comments go without response for long. He fired back at Davis by saying, “I’m the one, to stop all that,” and warning his to be prepared for March 1.
Many Washingtonians seemed to cheer their hometown boxer on, much to the chagrin of Davis, who had choice words for the audience.“You know when they start talking, that’s when I’m gonna beat his a-s for y’all talking,” Davis said to the heckling crowd supporting Roach Jr. The Presser ended with a fiery faceoff between Davis and Roach before the boxers headed their separate ways. Roach told The Informer what fans should expect at Barclays Center on March 1. “A hell of a fight. I think fight of the year candidate,” Roach said. “Two dogs going in there to rumble. A championship is on the line. We both [are] protecting what we’ve got. I know he’s going to protect his belt and I’m coming to take it.”
Source: Washington Informer
