Tank Davis and Lamont Roach Battle to a Majority Draw in Thrilling Barclays Center Showdown
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Mar 2025
In a fight that lived up to its billing as a clash of speed, power, and skill, Gervonta "Tank" Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) and Lamont Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) fought to a majority draw in a thrilling 12-round lightweight title bout at the Barclays Center in New York Saturday night (Sunday in Manila). The judges’ scores—115-113 for Davis and 114-114 twice—reflected the razor-thin margins of a contest that had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
The Fight: A Rollercoaster of Momentum Swings
Round 1
The opening round was a feeling-out process, with both fighters cautious and respectful of each other’s power. Roach used his jab effectively, while Davis looked for counter opportunities. A tentative start, but typical for a Tank Davis fight.
Round 2
Davis began to find his rhythm, targeting Roach’s body with his signature left hand. Roach responded with right hands to the guard, but Davis’ activity and body work likely won him the round.
Round 3
The action heated up as Davis landed a crisp 1-2 combination, followed by body shots. Roach fired back with a right hook, but Davis’ cleaner work and body assault gave him the edge.
Round 4
Roach started to find success with his left hook and right uppercut, clipping Davis as he moved sideways. A late right hand from Roach capped off a competitive round.
Round 5
The fight reached a tense equilibrium, with both fighters trading blows. Davis landed a hard left hand, his best punch of the fight so far, but Roach’s combinations kept it close. The referee even warned both fighters for talking to each other mid-round.
Round 6
Davis turned up the heat, digging into Roach’s body with punishing shots. A counter left hand to Roach’s chin and a series of body shots gave Davis a clear edge in the round.
Round 7
Davis began to smile, sensing he was taking control. He landed a hard left hand and a right hook, but Roach responded with his best flurry of the fight, landing three right hands on the inside. The round ended with both fighters exchanging body shots, much to the crowd’s delight.
Round 8
Roach came alive, landing a big right hand that forced Davis back. A left uppercut and another right hand in the final seconds made it a standout round for Roach, who was now making the fight very competitive.
Round 9
In a bizarre moment, Davis took a knee, seemingly forgetting his gumshield. Though it should have been ruled a knockdown, the referee missed it. Davis recovered and landed a hard left hand, but Roach’s counter right hand and flurry in the final seconds stole the round.
Round 10
Davis continued to press forward, but Roach’s movement and counters kept him in the fight. A late burst from Davis wasn’t enough to overshadow Roach’s cleaner work in the round.
Round 11
Roach turned up the heat, landing a right hand to the body and a combination that caught Davis clean. A flurry from Roach, though not all punches landed, was eye-catching and likely won him the round.
Round 12
In a dramatic final round, Roach let his hands go, landing a counter left hook and a series of body shots. Davis, looking to close strong, missed with a left-hand counter as Roach’s activity and precision likely secured him the round.
When the final bell rang, the Barclays Center erupted in applause for both fighters. The judges’ scores—115-113 for Davis and 114-114 twice—resulted in a majority draw. Fans were divided on who actually won the fight but Roach appeared to have garnered the crowd's most applause.
In his post-fight interview, Davis expressed frustration but remained respectful. “I thought I did enough to win, but Roach is a tough fighter. I’ll be back stronger,” he said.
Roach, meanwhile, was proud of his performance. “I came here to prove I belong with the best, and I did that tonight. I’ll take the draw, but I want the rematch,” he declared.
What’s Next?
The draw leaves the lightweight division in a state of flux. A rematch between Davis and Roach seems inevitable, and fans would undoubtedly welcome it. For Davis, it’s a chance to silence doubters and reclaim his dominance. For Roach, it’s an opportunity to prove he can beat the best.
Final Thoughts
The Tank Davis vs. Lamont Roach fight delivered everything fans hoped for: drama, skill, and heart. While the draw may leave some unsatisfied, it sets the stage for an even bigger rematch. One thing is certain: both fighters left everything in the ring, and boxing fans were the real winners.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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