The March 1st showdown at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center had all the makings of a classic-an undefeated champion, an underdog with something to prove, and a rowdy New York crowd ready for fireworks. Gervonta “Tank” Davis, known for his knockout power and aggressive style, was expected to dominate Lamont Roach Jr. But instead, Roach put on a masterclass in strategy, showing that Davis wasn’t untouchable.
While Roach didn’t officially get the win, the fight ended in a rare majority draw-marking the first time Davis walked away without a victory. But it wasn’t just Roach’s performance that had fans buzzing. The real controversy came in the ninth round when Davis suddenly took a knee, wiping at his eyes, claiming that hair grease had gotten into them.
Hair grease in boxing: A slippery slope?
For many watching, Davis’ knee should have been called a knockdown. Instead, referee Steve Willis let the fight continue without penalizing Davis, a decision that sparked outrage among fans and fellow fighters. Terence Crawford and Claressa Shields, among others, took to social media, questioning why the moment wasn’t scored against Davis. “I never seen someone take a knee and they don’t count it as a knockdown,” Crawford posted.
Davis defended himself in a post-fight interview, explaining, “I just got my hair done two days ago, and she put grease in my [hair].” He claimed that sweat mixed with the grease, ran into his eyes, and blurred his vision-forcing him to take a knee rather than risk getting knocked out. But the explanation didn’t sit well with everyone.
His own hairstylist even pushed back on the claim. In a now-deleted Instagram post, she wrote, “I did his hair WEDNESDAY. It’s SATURDAY! He did press, gym, and weigh-in. That’s no excuse. How much grease did I use, damn?” Her statement only fueled more skepticism.
What do the rules say?
So, is hair grease actually allowed in boxing? The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) and the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) in the U.S. have strict rules about substances on a fighter’s body. While a small amount of Vaseline is permitted on the face to prevent cuts, excessive oil, grease, or lubricants are not. The ABC also requires hair to be secured with “soft and non-abrasive materials” if it could interfere with the fight.
That leaves Davis’ situation in a gray area. While there’s no explicit rule banning hair grease, if it created a hazard during the fight-either for him or his opponent-then it could be seen as a violation. Now, the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) is investigating the incident, meaning the fight’s outcome could still be under review.
Could the fight result be overturned?
The biggest question now is whether the NYSAC will take action. If they decide that Davis’ use of grease was an unfair advantage-or that the referee made an error in not counting the knee as a knockdown-there’s a chance the draw could be overturned.
Meanwhile, both fighters seem open to a rematch. Davis has already hinted at wanting to run it back, while Roach has been vocal about feeling robbed of a win. If a second fight does happen, one thing’s for sure: Davis will probably be extra careful about his hair routine.
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