The boxing world is still reeling from the March 1, 2025, bout between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach Jr.
The fight ended in a majority draw, but a crucial moment in the ninth round has led to widespread controversy. Many believe Roach should have been awarded a knockdown, which could have changed the outcome of the match.
The ninth-round dispute
During the ninth round, Roach landed a three-punch combination that caused Davis to take a knee-a move that, under boxing regulations, is typically considered a knockdown.
However, referee Steve Willis did not count it as such. Instead, Davis retreated to his corner, where his team wiped his face. Later, Davis claimed that hair grease had dripped into his eyes, temporarily impairing his vision.
Despite this explanation, many boxing fans and analysts argue that the moment should have been officially ruled a knockdown. According to the rules, any time a fighter takes a knee, the referee should start a count unless it is determined that an illegal action caused the fall.
The referee’s decision to let the fight continue without penalizing Davis has led to heated debates within the boxing community.
Following the fight, the WBA defended the referee’s decision, stating that Willis ruled in real-time that no punch directly caused Davis to go down. However, Roach and his team strongly disagree. They have filed an appeal with the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), arguing that the fight should either be ruled in Roach’s favor or that Davis should have been disqualified for receiving unauthorized assistance from his corner.
Roach’s attorney, Greg Smith, sent a letter to NYSAC’s executive director, requesting an official review of the incident. The letter also alleges that Davis’ trainer, Calvin Ford, violated boxing rules by wiping Davis’ face mid-fight, an action that could be grounds for disqualification.
With the WBA standing by the original result, the best way to settle this dispute may be a rematch.
Both fighters have expressed interest in facing each other again, and if negotiations proceed smoothly, the highly anticipated rematch could happen as early as May. Fans are eager to see if Roach can secure the victory he believes was unfairly taken from him.
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