Gervonta Davis takes a knee in the middle of Round 9 against Lamont Roach Jr. during their bout for Davis’ WBA lightweight title at Barclays Center in New York. (Al Bello/Getty Images) (Al Bello via Getty Images)
Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach ended in a way that left no one — outside of perhaps Davis’ camp — satisfied. Following the end of 12 hyper-competitive rounds, “Tank” was given the gift of a lifetime, with Saturday’s three ringside judges submitting two 114-114 scorecards along with a 115-113 score for Davis, turning a bout many assumed would be a life-changing Roach upset win instead into a majority draw.
Considering the closeness of the scores, the critical moment of the fight came in Round 9 when referee Steve Willis bafflingly allowed Davis to take a knee and essentially call his own timeout following a Roach jab. Davis said post-fight that he wanted his corner to wipe away grease from his braids that had gotten into his eyes, but regardless of his reasoning, the rules of boxing are clear in not allowing fighters to call their own timeouts, and thus Davis’ actions should’ve constituted an official knockdown.
Had Willis handled the situation correctly, Roach would’ve earned an extra point advantage in the ninth round and ultimately won the bout on two scorecards, granting him a career-altering win over an undefeated fighter many consider to be one of the pound-for-pound 10 best in the world.
Lamont Roach’s round nine knockdown over Gervonta Davis that incorrectly wasn’t scored. The fight ended in a majority draw, 115-113 Davis, 114-114 x2. #DavisRoachpic.twitter.com/DLq3EgiDey
— 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒔 (@KOJournals) March 2, 2025
Davis was more than an 18-to-1 favorite at BetMGM to defeat Roach and defend his WBA lightweight title on Saturday at Barclays Center in New York.
Understandably, the bizarre nature of Willis’ decision and the final result leaving Roach high and dry after what should’ve been the most lucrative performance of his career set off a wave of outrage in the boxing world, with a myriad of pound-for-pound stars and sweet science notables lambasting the outcome.
Roach won and that should have been called a knock down. Let’s see what happens.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) March 2, 2025
They robbed that boy and it’s crazy
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) March 2, 2025
I never seen someone take a knee and they don’t count it as a knock down. Must of forgot the rules for tonight.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) March 2, 2025
Round 9 should be a 10-8 round for Roach
— ShowtimeShawn Porter (@ShowtimeShawnP) March 2, 2025
How much they paying the ref ….. this is crazy
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) March 2, 2025
Ouch there goes the perfect record!!! That was a knockdown!! that ultimately made the difference! The dwarf had a go at me for my losses to Haney and Loma, time to look at yourself Wankie Tankie, great work Roach. Respect!! Tankie the JIG is up!
— George “Ferocious” Kambosos Jr (@georgekambosos) March 2, 2025
Horrible that a fight of that magnitude was decided on a referee mistake, a mistake that should have been correctable … can’t just take a knee! Fight was that close and Roach earned an immediate run back in my book. #boxing #DavisRoach
— Lou DiBella🥊 (@loudibella) March 2, 2025
You can’t do that. Referee should’ve been on that https://t.co/eyX4eCbM0B
— Rougarou (@RPrograis) March 2, 2025
Bottom line: Based on taking that knee early in the ninth round, Gervonta Davis should have a loss on his record tonight. Lamont Roach should have won a split decision. #TankRoach
— Keith Idec (@Idecboxing) March 2, 2025
Gervonta Davis just took a knee. That has to be a knockdown but they didn’t count.
— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) March 2, 2025
If Tank taking a knee was counted as a knockdown (as it should’ve been), Lamont Roach would’ve beaten Gervonta Davis on the scorecards.
— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) March 2, 2025
Another utter shit show for the New York State Athletic Commission to not call that a knockdown even using replay!!! WTF were they looking at???????????????? #boxing #TankRoach
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) March 2, 2025
Understand that missing that knockdown call has cost Roach literally MILLIONS of dollars and career-defining victory and another world title. #boxing #TankRoach
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) March 2, 2025
The NYSAC has something to answer for. The scorecards were fine. Competitive fight. But Lamont Roach gets the knockdown he deserved in the ninth and he wins. Absolutely ridiculous.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) March 2, 2025
LAMONT ROACH JR FUCKING ROBBEDSPLIT DRAW MY ASSGERVONTA TANK DAVIS DID NOT WIN THAT FIGHT
— “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) March 2, 2025
I ain’t gone lie. Ima big Tank fan but I thought Roach edged that one out bro https://t.co/EvVKiT384Z
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) March 2, 2025
This should’ve counted and it’s a crime that it didn’t.Lamont Roach legit beat Tank Davis whatever else the scores say. https://t.co/jCl1rPIvPz
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) March 2, 2025
He needs to protest that, and he’s the winner @OneOf1x 100 need to protest that and put everybody on blast. Let’s see how fair the boxing commission is. #cleansport @EspnBoxing
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) March 2, 2025