Lamont Roach Calls Out Gervonta Davis Over $40M Jake Paul Fight, Demands Step-Aside Money

Lamont Roach is not happy — and he’s making sure the boxing world knows it.
After hearing that Gervonta “Tank” Davis is set to face Jake Paul in a blockbuster $40 million crossover bout, Roach has accused Davis of overlooking their unresolved business and is demanding what he calls “fair step-aside money.”

For Roach, the issue isn’t just about missing a payday. It’s about respect, fairness, and the principles of how boxing should be done.

The Missed Rematch

Lamont Roach’s frustration dates back to his controversial draw against Gervonta Davis — a fight that many observers, analysts, and fans believed he had won. Roach had pushed Davis harder than anyone expected, neutralizing Tank’s power for much of the bout and landing sharp counters that seemed to surprise the Baltimore star.

When the judges called it a draw, the crowd reaction was split. Some cheered for Tank’s resilience, others booed at what they considered a “robbery.” And in the weeks that followed, talk of a rematch filled the air.

“I did my part,” Roach told Ring Champs this week. “Everybody saw that fight. Everyone knows I deserved that rematch. Instead, he’s chasing a YouTuber payday while I’m left waiting. That’s not how real fighters handle business.”

The Jake Paul Factor

The news that Davis vs. Paul is happening sent shockwaves through the boxing world. The bout — reportedly set for early next year — is expected to generate massive revenue, both from pay-per-view sales and sponsorships.

For Davis, it’s a high-risk, high-reward spectacle: the chance to pocket $40 million and expand his star power outside boxing’s traditional audience. For Jake Paul, it’s another opportunity to legitimize himself against an elite professional.

But for fighters like Roach, it’s another reminder of boxing’s unpredictable politics.

“Tank’s going to go make this money,” Roach said, “and I’m not supposed to get anything? Come on, man. If I was in his shoes and he was in mine, I’d call him and say, ‘Look, I got a big opportunity — I’ll give you something to step aside, we’ll revisit later.’ That’s respect. That’s how men handle business. But ain’t none of that happened.”

Boxing’s Business Side

Step-aside money is not a new concept in boxing. It’s a negotiated payment given to a mandatory challenger to delay or withdraw from their right to a fight, allowing the champion to take another bout. It’s how some of the sport’s biggest events — from Fury vs. Usyk to Canelo vs. Golovkin — eventually came to be.

But in this case, the situation is murkier. Roach doesn’t hold a mandatory slot, but he does have a legitimate claim as a top contender and as the man who fought Davis to a disputed draw.

“Lamont’s not being unreasonable,” said veteran boxing analyst Andre Ward in a recent interview. “He’s saying, ‘If you’re skipping me to make money somewhere else, show me respect.’ That’s business etiquette. It’s not about greed — it’s about fairness.”

Still, others see it differently. For Davis, the Jake Paul fight represents the biggest purse of his career and a chance to reach global celebrity status. “Tank’s doing what prizefighters do — chasing prizes,” tweeted ESPN’s Mike Coppinger. “He owes nobody an apology for that.”

Fans Split on Social Media

As expected, fans have taken sides. On X (formerly Twitter), the debate has been heated. Some back Roach, seeing his comments as justified.

“He earned that rematch. Tank ducking him for Jake Paul is a joke,” wrote one user.

Others argue that boxing is a business first.

“If you could make $40M fighting Jake Paul instead of $4M fighting Roach, what would you do?”

The situation underscores boxing’s ongoing struggle between sport and spectacle — where rankings and merit often take a backseat to hype and pay-per-view numbers.

Roach’s Frustration Boils Over

Roach, who’s long been seen as one of boxing’s most technically sound fighters, hasn’t been one to stir controversy. But this time, he’s clearly reached a breaking point.

“I’m not mad he’s making money,” Roach explained. “I’m mad he didn’t even reach out. That’s what hurts. You think we just fought 12 rounds for nothing? You think that doesn’t mean something? If you were in my spot, I’d show you respect.”

He went on to say that if the roles were reversed, he would’ve offered Davis compensation to “step aside” and then revisit the fight once the big payday was out of the way.

“That’s how real fighters handle business,” he said. “You don’t freeze out a man who gave you your toughest night.”

The Bigger Picture: Boxing’s Broken System

Roach’s outcry also speaks to a larger issue plaguing modern boxing — the difficulty fighters face when business interests overshadow sporting integrity. Promoters, networks, and streaming platforms often prioritize financial spectacle over rankings and fairness.

“It’s not just about Lamont and Tank,” said boxing historian Thomas Hauser. “It’s about how fighters are used, how opportunities are distributed. Lamont’s frustration is part of a bigger pattern where deserving fighters get sidelined for celebrity matchups.”

Indeed, while Davis’s star continues to rise, many purists worry that the sport itself is losing credibility. When serious contenders like Roach get bypassed for crossover fights, it sends a message: popularity pays more than performance.

What’s Next for Roach

Despite his anger, Roach remains focused on his career. He’s already back in training and open to facing other contenders while waiting to see how the Davis–Paul situation plays out.

“If he doesn’t want to fight me again, fine,” Roach said. “But don’t act like I don’t exist. I’m still here. I’m still winning. I’m still ready.”

His promoter has hinted that Roach may pursue an interim title or a fight with another big name in the lightweight division to keep his momentum. Meanwhile, Davis has remained silent on the issue, refusing to respond publicly to Roach’s comments.

Fair or Foul?

In the end, the question isn’t whether Davis has the right to chase the biggest paycheck of his life — it’s whether he owes something, even symbolically, to the man who nearly beat him.

Lamont Roach’s demand for step-aside money might sound unusual to casual fans, but in the often-blurred world of boxing business, it’s not about greed. It’s about acknowledgment.

As Roach put it best:

“It’s not about the money. It’s about respect. Because I earned that.”

And in a sport where money and respect rarely walk hand in hand, that sentiment might just strike harder than any punch thrown in the ring.