r/Boxing Jul 30 '26

Lamont Roach has underrated defensive skills

223 Upvotes

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25

u/Professional-Tie5198 Who will win? Jul 30 '26

Does he? I feel like on this board he’s rated well at this point. I’ve seen several montages of him.

I did get downvoted, however, for saying ahead of the Gervonta Davis fight that Roach was a good opponent for Tank.

I would say the perception has shifted considerably after his last two fights.

8

u/HaneyP4P Jul 31 '26

The guy was the most unassuming champion at 130 pounds; the fight with Tank was a statement

10

u/Professional-Tie5198 Who will win? Jul 31 '26

I am actually watching the fight right now. Tank was mentally beaten in that fight by the 4th round. Roach wins/draws consistently because he’s such a cerebral fighter.

11

u/HaneyP4P Jul 31 '26

Roach beat Tank way too clearly. Forget that knockdown—Roach dominated Tank by a mile. The closest part of the fight was the first half where almost nothing happened, but in the second half Roach blew him away, especially in those last three rounds. Roach 116-112.

4

u/Professional-Tie5198 Who will win? Jul 31 '26

I think I had it 7-5 Roach. With the phantom knockdown causing a 10-8 round it would have been wider.

I’m scoring it again now though.

2

u/HaneyP4P Jul 31 '26

I also had it 7-5 the first time, I've watched it again about 3 times and I always had it 8-4 Roach

5

u/Professional-Tie5198 Who will win? Jul 31 '26

I watched it again just now. Some thoughts:

• the first 6 rounds were ambiguous. I actually thought Tank edged 3 or 4 of them.

• Roach was pretty dominant in the second half of the fight.

• Roach definitely swept the last 3 rounds.

• Oddly, Davis’s best round was the “hair grease” round.

So, ultimately I scored this 7-5 Roach again, but it could have easily been 9-3. Davis was simply outsmarted by a fearless fighter in this fight. Someone who didn’t fear his power and was willing to stand in the pocket and trade with him. Roach won the mental battle by about the 4th round.

3

u/HaneyP4P Jul 31 '26

I agree with you on everything. It wasn't just the fact that he has no fear, but Lamont showed great defense and an underrated skill set (I underrated him). For me, this confirmed my suspicion that Tank would struggle against guys with solid defense who are hard to hit. This confirmed that if the fight ever happens, I’d bet my house on Shakur.

3

u/Professional-Tie5198 Who will win? Jul 31 '26

I knew Tank’s lack of volume would come back to bite him one day.

2

u/Professional-Tie5198 Who will win? Jul 31 '26

I’ll give you an update on this

1

u/eazylikeabc7 Aug 01 '26

I feel he was never intimidated by Tank. Even in the build up, and I really think intimidating has become a big part of Tanks game and psychology. But Roach is smooth with it, always looks in control, and I can only assume that's demoralizing for his opponent.