With his highly anticipated fight against Gervonta “Tank” Davis set for March 1 in Brooklyn, NY, Lamont Roach Jr. is deep in training camp—and TheOnlyKayla got a firsthand look at the intensity behind his preparation.
Braving the sweltering heat of a 95-degree gym, Kayla stepped into Roach’s world, getting a crash course in boxing fundamentals while witnessing the discipline and precision that fuel a world-class fighter. From the rhythmic pounding of the speed bag to mastering a three-piece combo, the session offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what it takes to step into the ring against one of boxing’s biggest names.
Mastering the Speed Bag
Roach kicked off the session by demonstrating the speed bag, a key tool for improving hand-eye coordination and conditioning. With years of experience—dating back to when he was just 9 or 10—he made it look effortless. Kayla, on the other hand, struggled at first but eventually landed a solid streak of consecutive hits. “It’s all about rhythm and timing,” Roach explained, emphasizing the importance of staying light on your feet and keeping a steady flow.
Boxing 101 with Coach Clean
Next, the training moved to technical drills with Coach Clean, a veteran coach and the son of the late David Jacobs, who once trained legends like Sugar Ray Leonard and worked with Mike Tyson. He walked Kayla through the basics—starting with the right way to put on gloves, stance adjustments, and the art of balance.
For right-handed fighters like Kayla, the left foot and left hand lead, while the power comes from the back (right) hand. “It’s all about positioning,” Coach Clean noted. “Your power starts in your legs and transfers through your core and into your punches.”
The Three-Piece Combo
With her stance set, Kayla learned a classic three-punch combination:
- The Jab (Left Hand): The foundation of boxing—Roach emphasized stepping into the punch while keeping her guard up.
- The Right Hand: Power comes from the legs, with a key movement Roach calls “mashing the potato” to drive force behind the punch.
- The Left Hook: A knockout favorite, the hook adds another level of attack. Kayla’s biggest challenge was ensuring she didn’t lean too much after throwing it.
By the end of the session, Roach gave Kayla’s performance a strong 8/10 for a first-timer, joking that she could have earned a perfect score if she had nailed the hook. “That’s my dad’s favorite punch of mine,” Roach admitted. “I’ve knocked down plenty of opponents with it.”
Fighter Mentality
When asked about his favorite part of training, Roach didn’t hesitate. “Sparring,” he said with a grin. “That’s what I get paid to do—punch people.”
With the countdown to March 1 underway, Roach is locked in and ready for battle. And if this training session was any indication, Tank Davis should be prepared for a fighter who brings both precision and power into the ring.
