TANK DAVIS-LAMONT ROACH CONTROVERSY: NYSAC UPHELDS MAJORITY DRAW DECISION
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 09 Mar 2025
The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) has officially resolved the controversy surrounding the majority draw between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach, which took place on March 1, 2025. The fight, held at the Barclays Center in New York, ended with Davis retaining his WBA lightweight title amid significant debate over a pivotal moment in the ninth round.
The NYSAC upheld the majority draw decision despite acknowledging a potential knockdown.
Referee Steve Willis did not count Davis' knee touch as a knockdown, leading to widespread criticism.
The commission stated that the referee's discretion ultimately determined the fight's outcome.
The Fight Overview
In a closely contested bout, Gervonta Davis faced Lamont Roach for the WBA lightweight title. The fight concluded with two judges scoring it 114-114 and one judge favoring Davis 115-113. The controversy erupted during the ninth round when Davis took a knee after absorbing a series of punches from Roach. Referee Steve Willis initiated a count but halted it midway, allowing Davis to return to his corner to address an eye issue.
The incident in the ninth round raised eyebrows across the boxing community. Here’s a breakdown of what transpired:
Davis Takes a Knee: After a flurry of punches from Roach, Davis went down on one knee, claiming irritation from grease in his eye.
Referee's Count: Willis began counting but stopped after three seconds, allowing Davis to wipe his eye before resuming the fight.
Public Outcry: Fans and analysts expressed frustration, arguing that a knockdown should have been called, which would have significantly altered the fight's outcome.
NYSAC's Ruling
After a thorough review of the fight footage, the NYSAC issued its ruling:
Majority Draw Upheld: The commission confirmed that the fight's result would not be overturned, maintaining the majority draw.
Referee's Discretion: The NYSAC stated that while the correct call would have been to count the knee as a knockdown, the referee's decision was final and within his authority.
Impact of the Decision: The commission noted that the fight continued for three full rounds after the incident, making it impossible to determine how the fight would have concluded had the knockdown been counted.
Implications for Davis and Roach
The NYSAC's decision has significant implications for both fighters:
Gervonta Davis: He retains his title and remains undefeated, with a record of 30 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw.
Lamont Roach: The decision represents a missed opportunity for Roach, who could have claimed the title with a knockdown ruling. His record now stands at 25 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws.
Reactions from the Boxing Community
The ruling has sparked discussions among boxing fans and professionals alike. Notably, Canelo Alvarez weighed in, suggesting that the incident warranted a disqualification for Davis due to the corner's intervention. Alvarez stated, "He took a knee. You need to lose like 10-8 that round, at least. Plus, the corner went up and put a towel in his face; that’s disqualification, for sure."
The NYSAC's ruling on the Davis vs. Roach fight highlights the complexities and challenges of officiating in boxing. As the sport continues to evolve, the implications of this decision will likely resonate in future bouts, influencing how referees and commissions handle similar situations moving forward.
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