After an intense, back-and-forth 10-round war, the fight between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach at the Barclays Center ended in a highly controversial split draw. While the fans inside the arena and those watching from home were left buzzing over the decision, it was Gervonta’s coaching team that took center stage during the post-fight press conference to give their take on the outcome.

In a candid and sometimes fiery exchange, Davis’ coaches explained why they believed the fight ended in a draw—one that was much closer than they had anticipated. They discussed the strategy, Roach’s surprising resilience, and what Gervonta might need to improve on moving forward. Here’s a breakdown of what went down during the press conference and the reasons they believe the draw was the result of a mix of factors.

Coaches Open Up About Davis’ Struggles in the Ring

From the very beginning, Gervonta Davis’ trainers were quick to admit that the fight didn’t go according to plan. Despite Davis’ reputation as a heavy hitter, Lamont Roach’s defensive abilities and ring intelligence caused significant problems for Tank throughout the fight.

“We had a game plan going in,” one of Davis’ trainers said. “We knew Roach was a slick boxer, but we underestimated just how much he would make Gervonta miss. Roach did an excellent job of using his movement, staying out of range, and countering when he had the chance. Tank couldn’t get his timing down the way we had hoped, and that threw off the entire rhythm of the fight.”

As Davis struggled to land clean shots, Roach’s disciplined movement and elusive footwork made it difficult for the champion to assert his dominance. Tank’s normally explosive offense appeared subdued by Roach’s savvy, technical boxing.

“Gervonta started off strong, but by the middle rounds, we could see Roach had come with a lot more to offer than we initially thought,” the coach continued. “He frustrated Gervonta, made him chase, and that led to missed opportunities for Tank. We should’ve adjusted faster, but Roach was on his game, and we paid the price for that.”

The Power Advantage Didn’t Play Out As Expected

One of the most talked-about aspects of Gervonta Davis’ game is his knockout power. He’s built a reputation as one of the most feared punchers in boxing, often dispatching his opponents with brutal left hooks and body shots. Heading into this fight, many expected Davis to get the job done early, given Roach’s perceived vulnerability to heavy punches.

However, Gervonta’s coaches revealed that while Davis did land some solid power shots, they weren’t as effective as they had hoped. The explosive knockout punch that fans were waiting for never came.

“Look, Tank’s power is undeniable, but tonight, Roach’s defense and ability to move were a lot better than what we saw on tape,” one of Davis’ trainers said. “He took Gervonta’s power better than we expected. He knew how to tie him up when things got rough, and he wasn’t giving Tank the clean shots we thought he would. That’s why you didn’t see the knockout you were all expecting.”

While Davis did land some heavy punches, Roach showed a solid chin, evading the worst of the damage and keeping his composure. This led to Davis struggling to find the fight-ending punch that would change the momentum.

Tank’s Inconsistent Timing & Decision-Making

Another key reason for the draw, according to Davis’ coaching team, was the inconsistent timing and decision-making from their fighter. Throughout the fight, Davis would sometimes rush in, throwing wild shots, while at other times, he would hesitate, giving Roach the chance to counter.

“We had a game plan, but at times, Tank wasn’t sticking to it,” one of his coaches said. “He was getting caught up in the moment, trying to force the action, and that’s when Roach would capitalize. There were too many lapses in focus, and Roach was ready to pounce. When Gervonta wasn’t disciplined, he allowed Roach to control the pace.”

It was clear that Davis, known for his quick, explosive bursts of offense, struggled to maintain his composure in the face of Roach’s boxing IQ and elusive style. Davis’ tendency to go for the big shot rather than setting it up with clean, measured punches caused him to miss crucial opportunities.

Credit Where It’s Due: Roach’s Performance

Despite the frustration in the Davis camp, there was also a recognition of Lamont Roach’s outstanding performance. The fighter from California proved to be a tough puzzle to crack, as his boxing skills and ability to make adjustments kept Gervonta on his toes for the entire fight.

“Lamont Roach came to fight tonight,” Davis’ coach acknowledged. “He wasn’t intimidated by Tank’s reputation, and that’s what made this fight so close. We expected him to be good, but he showed a lot more than we anticipated. He’s a smart fighter, and he controlled a lot of the action in the middle rounds.”

Roach’s movement, timing, and ability to capitalize on Davis’ mistakes earned him the respect of Davis’ team. They recognized that the result wasn’t just due to Davis’ shortcomings but also because Roach was truly on top of his game, using his footwork and defense to neutralize the threat of Davis’ power.

Looking Ahead: “Run It Back”

Despite the frustrations surrounding the draw, Davis’ team made it clear that they weren’t backing down from the challenge. Gervonta Davis was still the more powerful and dangerous fighter, but his coaches emphasized the importance of making adjustments moving forward.

“We’ll learn from this fight,” Davis’ coach said confidently. “We’ll go back to the drawing board, fix the things that went wrong, and come back stronger. This isn’t over. Gervonta is still one of the best in the game, and this was just a learning experience. We’re going to run it back if need be, and next time, we’ll make sure there’s no doubt about the result.”

This “Run It Back” mentality clearly signaled that Davis and his camp were not content with a draw. They were hungry for redemption, and with Davis’ talent and power, it’s clear that they plan to take whatever steps are necessary to avoid a repeat of the night’s outcome.

Conclusion: A Fight Full of Lessons

The post-fight press conference was an honest look into the challenges Gervonta Davis and his team faced against Lamont Roach. While Davis may have come into the fight as the favorite, Roach’s resilience and technical boxing threw off Tank’s rhythm, leading to a contested and controversial draw.

Davis’ team fully acknowledged their fighter’s shortcomings on the night but also credited Roach for his great performance. With the “Run It Back” mentality firmly in place, fans are now left eagerly waiting for a possible rematch, as both Davis and Roach look to settle the score in the ring once and for all. The fight proved that no one can be taken lightly, and there are always lessons to be learned—especially when facing an opponent as skilled as Lamont Roach.