In an intense night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Gervonta Davis retained his World Boxing Association lightweight title after a majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. In front of almost 20,000 spectators, the champion managed to defend his belt in what was his sixth defense, although the result was controversial.
The judges’ scorecards reflected the closeness of the fight, with scores of 115-113 and 114-114 on two occasions. Davis maintains his undefeated record with 31 victories and consolidated his dominance in the category, thanks to a spectacular finish that avoided an upset against him. However, the verdict generated controversy, as some considered that the victory was left on the table rather than in the ring.
At one point in the fight, Tank Davis knelt down in the middle of a round and received help from his corner, a momentary rest that he justified by saying that the grease that got into his eye after having his hair done that week made it difficult for him to continue.
Gervonta, who had been greeted with applause at the start, was booed as the crowd disapproved of an excuse they considered unconvincing.
“It’s all good. They love you, then they hate you. Then they love you again. You know what I mean?” Davis said after the boos.
Terence Crawford takes the opportunity to attack Gervonta Davis
Terence Crawford and Gervonta Davis have a history of a media rivalry that lived an intense episode with a battle on social networks, after Bud mocked Tank, after not being invited last January to the awards ceremony of The Ring magazine.
Crawford took advantage of the controversy of the fight to join many observers who did not understand how Davis avoided a point deduction that seemed obvious
“I never saw someone take a knee and not be counted as a takedown. I must have forgotten the rules for tonight,” Crawford commented on his X account.
Lamont Roach criticises controversial result
If Lamont Roach had been counted as a knockdown when Gervonta Davis’ knee touched the canvas in the ninth round, the WBA lightweight title would have changed hands.
But Tank retained his belt thanks to a majority draw with Roach, which left many wondering if the apparent knockdown was not counted to avoid what could have been the first loss of his career. The final decision was 115-113 in favor of Davis by one judge, while the other two gave a 114-114 draw.
“It should have been a knockdown. If that was a knockdown, I win the fight. He’s saying he got grease in his eye, but if he kneels down and the referee starts counting, it should be a knockdown,” Roach said.
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