Tank vs. Roach Undercard
Virtual Press Conference!
(January 23rd) Fighters competing on the pay-per-view undercard for the Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video previewed their respective matchups during a virtual press conference on Thursday before they step into the ring on Saturday, March 1 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now and through ticketmaster.com. The event is promoted by GTD Promotions and TGB Promotions.
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Promoter: Tom Brown - TGB Promotions
Matchmaker: Tom Brown
Media: Amazon Prime Video PPV
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
JOSE VALENZUELA
“I’m excited to be back and keep my momentum going. I’m going to give the fans at Barclays Center a great show. This is gonna be a clash. We’re both coming to fight, so make sure you tune-in.
“It was a dream come true to become world champion. Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz is a great competitor. I just stuck to the game plan and stayed focused. I’m going to do the same thing March 1.
“I like this fight better stylistically. Against a short fighter like ‘Pitbull’ I had to fight on my toes, but against Gary I definitely think there’s going to be a lot of action.
“Stylistically, I’m tough for anybody. Some of the big names are gonna try to avoid me. But I’m not worried about that, because I have a tough competitor in front of me and I have to focus on getting this job done.
“Gary is a good fighter, but he’s nothing I haven’t seen before. He comes forward, double jab, high guard. I think I bring way more to the ring and I’m more crafty.
“I went right back to the gym after my last fight. Winning the title just added more fuel to me. Once you get a taste of it, you just want to keep going.
“I love everything about this fight. I think getting a win over Russell will open it up for me to get even bigger fights going forward.”
GARY ANTUANNE RUSSELL
“I have a chip on my shoulder and I’m definitely coming to steal the show on March 1 in Brooklyn.
“I’m grateful to be back. Listening to Alberto Puello really makes me want another shot at him, but first I know I can’t overlook ‘Rayo’. He’s a great fighter and I know he’ll come in with a strong game plan. It’ll come down to who is able to overcome adversity.
“The way I see it, I have a shot at something that can catapult me to a great position. I already see myself as an elite fighter. I took my loss on the chin. It’s all about how you bounce back. That’s what defines a true champion.
“Last fight I kind of deviated from some of the stuff I had been doing in the past. I’ve moved onto this fight and I’m ready to get back to what got me here. I want to clean out the division and I have to win on March 1 in order to do that.
“Valenzuela will force me to use some different movement than what I had to use against Puello. I don’t know if Valenzuela has a more suitable style, but he has a style that will make the fight more entertaining than against Puello.
“I’m coming in there with a chip on my shoulder because of the loss. I want to prove something in every fight, but this fight I have to do even more. I don’t want to just be mediocre. I have to make a statement.”
ALBERTO PUELLO
“This is a great opportunity for me to defend the world title that I worked so hard to win. Winning that title meant so much to me because it proved to everyone that I’m a real champion at 140 pounds.
“I’m not worried about anything other than preparing well for this fight. I have faced a lot of different opponents, and I know what I have in my arsenal. What Sandor does or doesn’t do does not concern me one bit.
“I have to win this fight and I have to win it with a big statement. I don’t think that I have the respect that I deserve yet. This statement will put the whole boxing world on notice.
“I’m focused on getting my foundation right in the gym. Sometimes I’ll have to be aggressive, sometimes I’ll be more tactical. In the end, that foundation in the gym is what will make me ready to defend the title.
“I would love to fight the winner of Valenzuela vs. Russell. I want to unify the division and then clean out the division.”
SANDOR MARTIN
“I’m better than Puello and his team think I am and I’m going to show it on March 1st.
“It’s a pleasure to have this great opportunity to fight in Brooklyn. I’m here to show my skills and show that I’m first class.
“My best skills are in my mind. I can fight any style. Puello is a great fighter who wants to stay undefeated, and that makes me more motivated. I’m going to be at my very best on March 1.
“I have to get the victory and return home as a champion. I have the skills to win this fight and defeat Alberto Puello. If I need to fight like a Mexican warrior, I’ll leave my heart in the ring. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to become world champion and give the fans a great show.
“This isn’t just a normal fight. This is the opportunity I’ve waited for since I was a kid. I’ve earned it. The only thing on my mind is returning home as a world champion.
“I don’t like to talk too much before the fight, because we’ll settle it in the ring. I have no choice but to come out on top. I’m not worried about anything else.”
YOENIS TELLEZ
“I’ve had an outstanding training camp because I know what this opportunity means to me. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I want to take full advantage on March 1st.
“I wanted a challenge and when Julian’s name came up, I was ready to go. He’s an exciting challenge for me to work and figure out how to overcome.
“This fight is going to establish me in this division and show what I can do. Everyone will see after March 1st.
“Julian has everything to gain and everything to lose just like I do. But my motivation is to get where he’s already been. I have to beat him in order to do so.”
JULIAN WILLIAMS
“I’m not dependent on experience. I’m dependent on skillset and being the best Julian Williams that I can be. Experience can actually be overrated. I’m focused on being prepared and being me.
“I want to be great. When there’s a gun, you don’t run away. You run toward the gun. That’s my mentality. I want to be great.
“We’re gonna see on March 1. He’s a good young fighter, but we don’t know too much about him. I let my team study his tape, and we just go in the gym and work on the plan. We’re fine-tuning some things and we’re going to show up March 1st ready to win.
“I’m taking it one step at a time. I’m ready to stick with it. Whatever my coaches put into the game plan, I’ll be ready to implement it.”
ABOUT TANK VS. ROACH
Davis vs. Roach will see boxing superstar and reigning WBA Lightweight World Champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis take on WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Lamont Roach in a lightweight title clash that headlines a loaded PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, March 1 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The pay-per-view undercard will WBA Super Lightweight World Champion José “Rayo” Valenzuela will take on hard-hitting top contender Gary Antuanne Russell in the co-main event, plus WBC Super Lightweight World Champion Alberto Puello defends his title against top-rated mandatory challenger Sandor Martín in a pay-per-view attraction. Kicking off the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, rising star Yoenis Téllez will take on former unified world champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams for the Interim WBA Super Welterweight Title.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.
(January 22nd) The undercard for the Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. fight, scheduled for March 1, 2025, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, has officially announced the addition of three noteworthy title bouts.
In the co-feature pairing a set of crafty southpaws, Renton, Washington’s, Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela will make the first defense of his WBA Super Lightweight title against Capitol Heights, Maryland’s, Gary Antuanne Russell.
The 25-year-old, Valenzuela, 14-2, 9Ko’s won the WBA super lightweight title in his last outing with a hard fought twelve round split decision over Mexico City, Mexico’s, Isaac, “Pitbull” Cruz, September 4th, 2024.
Gary Antuanne, 17-1, 17Ko’s, a 2016 Olympian and 28-year-old, younger brother of former featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. known for his impressive skills, speed, and power perfect until suffering his first defeat in his last bout a June 2024, WBC Interim World Super Lightweight title challenge twelve round split decision to loss still unbeaten Alberto “La Avispa” Puello.
The 30-year-old, Las Vegas based Dominican, Puello, 22-0, 10Ko’s will make the first defense of his WBC super Lightweight title when he takes on Barcelona, Spain’s, Sandor Martin.
The 31-year-old, Martin, 42-3, 15Ko’s securing ten round majority decision win over WBO Featherweight / Super Featherweight / WBC and two-time IBF Lightweight Champion, Mikey Garcia, October 10th, 2021 and December 12th, 2024 losing a close battle suffering a ten round split decision loss to Las Vegas, Nevada, based Brooklynite, former IBFWBO/WBA Lightweight and current WBO and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight Champion, Teofimo “Takeover” Lopez enters of 2023 back to back knockout wins over relatively unknowns Arblin Kaba and Mohamed El Marcouchi.
Also in action will be undefeated, Stafford, Texas based Cuban, Yoenis Tellez versus Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, former unified champion, Julian “J Rock” Williams for the vacant interim WBA super welterweight title.
The 24-year-old, former Cuban amateur standout Tellez, 9-0, 7Ko’s gets his shot coming off 2023-24 with impressive wins over Cameron Krael, Sergio Garcia, Livan Navarro, Joseph Jackson and most recently an October 2014 seventh round TKO win over Las Vegas based Venezuelan 35-3, Johan Gonzalez.
The 34 years old, former IBF and WBA Light Middleweight Champion, Williams, 29-4-1, 17Ko’s, 2-2 since a January 2020 fifth round TKO loss to Jeison Rosario comes off a January 2024 second round TKO stoppage of Concordia, Argentina journeyman, Gustavo David Vittori.
“Tank”, 30-0, 28Ko’s on a four bout KO renewal against Rolando Romero, Hector Luis Garcia, Ryan Garcia enters off an eighth-round knockout of Frank Martin in June Davis turned his attention to Roach Jr. following the World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee granting the former super featherweight world title challenger special permission to move up in class and face Davis.
The 29-year-old, Roach Jr., 25-1-1, 10Ko’s, unbeaten in his last six since suffering a twelve round unanimous decision loss WBO World Super Featherweight title challenge Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring, November 2019 comes off an eighth round TKO stoppage of Feargal McCrory in June.
Fundamentally sound, Roach known for his technical skills, seen to be a solid combination and counter puncher with a strong solid jab and a proficient ring IQ, albeit never tested against a fighter on the level of Davis.
Recognized for his exceptional technical skills, composure and patience Roach showcasing a sharp jab, effective combination and counter punching, a high ring IQ, with an ability to slip punches and use his footwork effectively to evade damage it may be his good defensive skills that gives this fight its appeal.
Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach Jr.
Kickoff Presser!
(December 3rd) Baltimore, former IBF and two-time WBA Super Featherweight and WBA Lightweight Champion, Gervonta "Tank" Davis and Upper Marlboro’s, Lamont Roach Jr. held a kickoff press conference in New York ahead of their all-Maryland showdown set for March 1, live on Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Gervonta Davis: “I’m gonna chop, chop, bob and weave. I’m gonna end it in the ninth round…we’ll have to test his chin come March 1. He might think my opponents don’t have chins, but we’ll definitely test it. I say leave the kids at home.”
Lamont Roach: “I shouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe I’m gonna win. I’ve hurt everybody that I’ve been in the ring with and this won’t be any different…I don’t care about being the underdog or being the favorite. Either way, I’m gonna win.”
The PBC has officially announced with the usual suspects Vasily Lomachenko on a respite for the remainder of 2024, Shakur Stevenson with hand injury, William Zepeda, Stevenson's mandatory facing Tevin Farmer, Denys Berincyk set to face Joe Cordina, Sam Noakes and Keshawn Davis already scheduled for action and shelving sitting out the rest of 2024 out of the question, Baltimore, Maryland, lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis will defend his WBA title against Upper Marlboro, Maryland’s, Lamont Roach Jr. Davis / Roach Jr. December 14th, streaming live on a PBC on Amazon Prime Video PPV, from the at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), was created for television by Haymon Sports, LLC, in January 2015. PBC is a boxing series that returns the sweet science to its rightful place atop the sports pantheon.
Featuring today’s best and brightest stars in their toughest, most anticipated bouts, Premier Boxing Champions is broadcast live and free to air on SHOWTIME, FOX, FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes, Bounce and ITV.
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