When Gervonta Davis chose to fight Lamont Roach Jr. last year, no one expected the bout to end in a controversial majority draw (114-114, 114-114, 115-113), dividing the boxing world. Roach pushed Davis to his limits on March 1 in New York, with the ninth round sparking controversy—moments after landing a combination, Davis took a knee, ran to his corner, and had his face wiped by coach Calvin Ford before re-entering the fight. Referee Steve Willis began a ten count but stopped when Davis continued, resulting in no official knockdown being scored. This sparked debate, as such instances typically warrant a knockdown ruling. Days later, the New York State Athletic Commission cited a “technical issue” for not reviewing the moment immediately but, after an appeal from Roach’s legal team, ultimately upheld the draw.

The ruling said, “The bout continued for more than three full rounds after the referee’s no knockdown call, and because the boxers necessarily adjusted to the referee’s ruling, the referee’s call was not outcome-determinative.” However, they acknowledged that referee Steve Willis should have counted Davis’ knee as a knockdown instead of letting him continue. “Following an extensive after-the-fact review of the footage of the ninth round, that the most appropriate call … would have been for the referee to determine that Mr. Davis’ knee contacting the canvas constituted a knockdown,” it said.

Despite the explanation, many questioned the NYSAC’s ruling. Amid all this, legendary trainer Abel Sanchez has refuted claims that Gervonta Davis’ knee incident required a knockdown call. “He didn’t get hit with a punch. He didn’t turn his back like he wanted to quit,”  Sanchez told Fight Hub TV despite several reports confirming Roach Jr. had landed shots on Davis seconds before the knee. 

“It’s just like when you get a thumb in the eye, it’s a pop,” he continued. When the reporter intervened, claiming Davis did turn his back to run to his corner, Sanchez responded, “Yeah, but he didn’t turn his back like he was going to quit. He obviously mentioned that he had something in his eye, and it wasn’t from a punch.”

It’s worth noting that Davis claimed grease from his hair, which he got done days before the fight, had dripped down to his eyes, causing irritation. Regardless, Sanchez added that Gervonta Davis took the knee “in between the shots,” which, according to Sanchez, was fine. “I think  in the rules, it states that you’re allowed to do that… if you go back and you read some of the rules.”

Sanchez used NYSAC’s ruling to justify his claims, stating, “I think it was upheld in New York that it was okay for him to do that. I think part of the rules state that it was okay.” However, Sanchez also understood Roach’s concern, adding, “As a coach on the other side, I would have thrown a fit.” Meanwhile, Roach Jr. has also shared his thoughts on the ruling from NYSAC. 

Lamont Roach Jr. is disappointed with the ruling for the Gervonta Davis fight

The 29-year-old had done what 30 fighters before him could not—bring Gervonta Davis to the brink of a loss. To be denied what could have changed his life and career for good didn’t fill him with glee. Reacting to the ruling from NYSAC, Roach Jr. wrote on X, “I’m not surprised about the decision by the NYSAC. A lil disappointed, yea.”

“Especially when they ACKNOWLEDGED the fact that Steve made the wrong calls in the 9th round. But I wasn’t banking on the overturn. Everyone know I won the fight and I’m satisfied with that. Part 2 otw,” he added. All that is left to do is hope ‘Tank’ Davis signs off for the rematch, so both fighters can prove, once and for all, who the better boxer is. 

That said, Gervonta Davis clearly didn’t break any rules, but that doesn’t mean Lamont Roach Jr. wasn’t robbed. It’s difficult to say whether a knockdown in the ninth would have motivated Davis to flip the fight or if it would have turned the tide for a Lamont Roach victory. What are your thoughts on Sanchez’s statement?