Gervonta “Tank” Davis defended his WBA lightweight title in a fight against Lamont Roach, ending in a majority draw. The whole bout was competitive, but a controversial ninth-round moment became the biggest talking point.
Did Davis Take a Knockdown in Round 9?
The ninth round proved to be the fight’s most talked about moment when Davis unexpectedly dropped to one knee close to his corner. This is typically ruled a knockdown but the referee did not count it which sparked controversy.
In boxing, when a fighter voluntarily takes a knee, without an official foul, should receive a knockdown ruling, leading to a 10-8 round for their opponent. The referee’s decision played a crucial role in the final scorecards.
Official Scorecards and Fight Outcome
The judges scored the contest:
- 115-113 for Davis
- 114-114 (Draw)
- 114-114 (Draw)
Had the ninth-round sequence been officially recorded as a knockdown, the fight’s result could have changed in Roach’s favor.
Davis Explains Why He Took a Knee
After the fight, Davis revealed that his vision was affected by hair grease, prompting him to take a knee. His explanation, however, did not settle the ongoing debate over whether the referee should have counted it as a knockdown.
Watch Gervonta Davis Post-Fight Press Conference Below:
Boxing Experts React to the Controversy
The outcome led to strong reactions from people all around the sport. Many questioned the referee’s ruling, arguing that the ninth round should have been scored 10-8 for Roach. Others spoke on the need for consistent officiating standards in high-stakes title fights.
Will There Be a Davis vs. Roach Rematch?
With the fight ending in controversy, speculation about a potential rematch is growing. Roach has made it clear that he wants another shot at the lightweight championship, while Davis remains confident in his title reign.
