Davis’ Controversial Evening Ends in Majority Draw
Gervonta “Tank” Davis entered his lightweight bout against Lamont Roach as the undefeated champion, but the evening didn’t go as smoothly as he might have hoped. In a shocking turn of events, the fight ended in a majority draw, with two judges scoring it 114-114 and one favoring Davis 115-113. Roach, known for his skill and tenacity, displayed a stellar performance, often outpunching and landing more effective shots than Davis. The controversy surrounding the ninth round added a layer of complexity to the result, as Davis voluntarily took a knee to wipe grease from his eyes, a moment that could have been ruled a knockdown but wasn’t.
The Ninth Round Controversy
The pivotal moment came in the ninth round when Davis, visibly distressed, took a knee. The referee initiated a mandatory 10-count but quickly halted it upon realizing that Davis was wiping his eyes due to an issue with grease from his hair. By boxing rules, taking a knee should have counted as a knockdown, which would have cost Davis a point and likely led to a split decision loss. Despite the referee’s leniency, the moment loomed large over the final scorecards. Davis’ explanation that the grease had caused his eyes to burn didn’t entirely assuage the crowd’s frustration, but it did highlight the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Davis’ Response and Call for a Rematch
In the post-fight interview, Davis maintained a gracious demeanor despite the contentious result. He acknowledged that Roach had given him a tough fight, stating, “I think I pulled it out the last three rounds. I was catching him with some clean shots. He kept coming so I didn’t want to make no mistakes so I kept it cautious. To be honest, I really made it competitive.” Davis also praised Roach’s skills, calling him a great fighter and expressing his willingness for a rematch. “Shout out to Lamont Roach and his whole team. Hopefully we can run it back, for sure. Bring it back to New York. Let’s have a rematch back in New York … hopefully we can get a rematch. If not, all the best to Lamont Roach and his whole team.”
Roach’s Perspective and Future Plans
Lamont Roach, while not faulting Davis for his eye issue, was understandably disappointed with the result. “He probably wasn’t [lying] when he said that grease got in his eye,” Roach commented. “But if you voluntarily take a knee and the ref starts counting, it should be a knockdown. If that’s a knockdown, I win the fight. It is what it is. I’m not banking on that knockdown to win. I just thought pulled it out.” Roach’s words reflect his confidence in his performance and his belief that he should have been declared the winner. Despite the majority draw, Roach’s strong showing against a champion like Davis certainly bolsters his reputation and may earn him a deserved rematch. “I’ve been one of the ones and I came out here and showed it,” Roach said. “I’m a little bit disappointed in the decision, I thought I pulled it out. I definitely thought I won but it’s a win for me in my book. But I’m not satisfied with that. We need a real ‘W.’”
The Battle on the Canvas
The fight itself was a showcase of both fighters’ prowess, particularly in the second half. Davis, known for his slow starts, initially played with Roach, who remained cautious to avoid Davis’ powerful counters. The third round saw a continuation of low output, making the fight challenging to score, but the power was still primarily in Davis’ hands. As the rounds progressed, Roach became more aggressive, stepping into the pocket and landing several clean shots, including a powerful right hand that caught Davis off guard. The eighth round was a pivotal one, with Davis delivering a thunderous left that connected with Roach’s head, only for Roach to respond with a right hook that briefly wobbled Davis. This back-and-forth action highlighted the intensity and skill of both fighters.
Final Moments and Aftermath
The final three rounds were a blur of punches, with Roach refusing to back down and consistently making Davis miss his biggest shots. Roach’s rapid-fire combinations and uppercuts proved particularly effective, while Davis concentrated on punishing the body. Despite the controversy, both fighters showed great sportsmanship and respect for each other’s abilities. When the final bell rang, the atmosphere in the arena was tense, and many fans were convinced that Roach had won. Ultimately, the majority draw allowed Davis to maintain his unbeaten record, but the non-call of the knockdown in the ninth round will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion and speculation. Roach, having proven himself as a worthy opponent, should feel proud of his performance and may have a strong case for a rematch or even a formal grievance with the boxing commission.
