Controversy Surrounds Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach Fight: NYSAC Under Scrutiny
In the world of boxing, where every punch counts and every decision can change the course of a fighter’s career, the recent Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach WBA lightweight title fight has become a hot topic of discussion. The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) is now in the spotlight, as they announced they are “reviewing the matter” involving the controversial bout that took place on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Gervonta “Tank” Davis, a prominent figure in boxing, found himself in an unexpected situation during Round 9. After a punch from Lamont Roach, Davis took a knee. Referee Steve Willis began the count, reaching three before inexplicably stopping and not ruling it a knockdown. This decision has sparked debate, as a knockdown call would have led to Roach winning via decision. Instead, the fight ended in a draw, with Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) maintaining his unbeaten record. According to ESPN BET, Davis was a prohibitive -2000 favorite, making the outcome even more surprising.
The judges’ scorecards reflected the contentious nature of the fight, with two judges scoring it 114-114 and a third judge giving Davis a slight edge at 115-113. The NYSAC’s statement highlighted a technical issue that prevented them from receiving the replay video in time for review, forcing them to rely on the referee’s in-ring decision. The commission emphasized their commitment to maintaining the integrity of combative sports and ensuring that such technical issues do not occur in the future.
Adding to the drama, Davis explained that he took a knee because grease from a hair treatment applied on Thursday “burned my eyes.” This led to another point of contention, as Davis’s corner was allowed to wipe his eyes with a towel during the round, a move that is typically prohibited. Only the referee has the authority to halt the action, raising questions about the enforcement of rules during the fight.
This incident marks the second major controversy involving the NYSAC in the past year. In April, Ryan Garcia’s upset victory over Devin Haney was overturned to a no contest after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance. The commission also suspended Garcia for one year and imposed a seven-figure fine. Garcia, not one to hold back, took to social media to express his frustration, questioning the commission’s consistency in handling such matters.
- Ryan Garcia’s victory over Devin Haney was overturned due to a positive drug test.
- The NYSAC suspended Garcia for one year and fined him seven figures.
- Garcia questioned the commission’s integrity on social media.
The bout contract between Davis and Roach included a rematch clause in the event Davis didn’t win. True to his word, Davis announced on social media that he is “pushing for the rematch” as soon as late May. Roach, understandably disappointed, stated, “If you take a knee and the ref starts counting, it should be a knockdown. If that’s a knockdown, I win the fight.”
Despite the controversy, Roach remains the WBA titleholder at 130 pounds and is rated No. 5 by ESPN at junior lightweight. Meanwhile, Davis holds the top spot as ESPN’s No. 1 lightweight and is ranked No. 8 pound-for-pound boxer. As the boxing community awaits the NYSAC’s final decision, fans and analysts alike are left to ponder the implications of this high-stakes bout and what it means for the future of both fighters.
Originally Written by: Mike Coppinger
