“The Knockdown Gives Me a UD”: Lamont Roach Jr. Rejects WBA’s Verdict on Gervonta Davis Fight

“I’m a little disappointed…If that’s a knockdown, I win the fight,” was what Lamont Roach Jr had pointedly stated after his March 1 clash against Gervonta Davis that turned heads for all the wrong reasons. Fresh off of a June 2024 knockout win over Frank Martin, it was Davis who was expected to captivate the crowd, and retain his WBA (super) lightweight title. Well, he did retain the title, and he did captivate the crowd. However, looks like the crowd is more pissed off than they’d be impressed, and that also includes Roach, who’s taken his dissatisfaction up a notch…

For the unversed: A controversial event unfolded during the Barclays Center fight, with 2:17 seconds remaining in the ninth round. After Roach Jr was seen countering the 30-year-old with a three-punch combo—in a moment definitely not taken lightly during other fights—Davis turned to his right and took a knee, surprising not just the audience, but the referee Steve Willis, too. “What’s going on, man?” Willis asked. What’s even more surprising is that despite taking a knee being counted as a knockdown usually, Davis DID NOT face any such repercussions. Instead, the fight ended with a majority draw (115-113, 114-114, 114-114), and Roach being left without a title, despite being touted as a winner by the larger community.

No wonder he was ticked off. However, Davis, it seems, had his reasons, which he later revealed: Trouble with hair grease, which had made its way into his eye resulting in a burning sensation. But was that enough of a reason to essentially “rob” Roach off a title? Well, the World Boxing Association certainly thinks so…

As per secondsout.com, an official statement from the organization read, “From our perspective, Willis’ decision was not unreasonable or unjustifiable. He ruled in real-time that Davis had not been struck by a punch before going down, and therefore, no knockdown should be recorded. Judges, by regulation, must follow the referee’s rulings—they do not have the authority to override his decisions on knockdowns.” This once again forced Lamont Roach Jr. to share his frustration on social media…

“Yall tweakin if yall think buddy was off or some shit or had an off night.” According to him, Gervonta Davis was not off his game on March 1 like everyone is claiming it to be. It was Roach’s own inspiring performance which led to the match being dragged till the 12th round. Because “That s–t just different in there with me. I told yall from the start,” he added.

“Just because I (everybody else too) feel like I won yall acting like I said he was easy work or some shit,” Roach exclaimed. Even though the WBA super featherweight champion believes that he should have won the fight, he did not downplay Gervonta Davis’ abilities. So, instead of everyone claiming that Tank had an off day, the reality is that he had a sensational performance. And that is exactly why he refused to believe that Tank had trouble with grease. Instead, he believes it was a delayed knockdown and “The knockdown gives me a UD,” he stated.

Interestingly, the WBA’s statement was in direct contract with what its own president thought. As per Ring Magazine, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza said, “I think it’s going to be no doubt about having a rematch on this. … I think this supersedes the public perception of boxing involved here with a huge star for the sport and we need to send a strong message out there. … It was a very controversial night.” 

Good news for Roach and his team, indeed, who have now appealed to NYSAC personally to overturn the decision in a four-page letter.

More contention against Gervonta Davis

According to prominent boxing insider, Dan Rafael of Fight Freaks Unite, Roach’s attorney, Greg Smith, sent a letter to NYSAC executive director Matt Delaglio on Tuesday to review the fight. The report by Rafael also revealed the demand made by his legal team.

According to the letter, Roach’s team is asking NYSAC to declare The Reaper as “the true winner of the bout—either via TKO due to Mr. Davis removing himself from the Bout or being disqualified for carrying an illegal irritant into the ring, or via decision after scores have been adjusted to reflect the knockdown.”

The letter also includes several allegations against Gervonta Davis’ team, including a rule violation by Calvin Ford, Davis’ trainer, wiping Davis’ face, which is a ground for disqualification.

With the WBA’s reluctance to overturn the decision, it looks like the only way to settle this controversy is with a rematch. Both Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach have expressed their desire for a rematch. Furthermore, if everything falls into place, we can see the rematch by May, something that every fan would love.

Till then, what are your views on Davis taking the knee?