Pros React To Davis-Roach Controversial Majority Draw – ‘They Robbed That Boy’
Boxing pros reacted to Gervonta Davis‘ controversial majority draw against Lamont Roach: 115-113 for Davis, 114-114, 114-114.
Davis remained undefeated, taking his record to 30-0-1, with 28 KOs to his name. Tank was the big favorite heading into the fight as the WBA Lightweight Champion, who had knocked out Frank Martin in his last fight. However, Roach is also a champion at 130 pounds and holds the WBA belt. Roach was moving up in weight, but he stifled Tank’s ability to close the distance and stop his man. The controversial point of the fight came in the ninth round after Davis took a knee.
It was unexpected as he went to his corner without any indication, before getting a towel to wipe some grease from his eye. The referee should have called it a knockdown, but did not do so, which ultimately prevented Roach from getting a win. Davis blamed the grease in his post-fight comments for the reason why he was not his usual self. But ultimately, Roach was denied a win on the biggest stage.
Post-Fight
“When you are sweating and s*** like that, the grease came into my face and it burnt my eyes. Yo why you all booing like I’m talking b*****?” Davis
“Gervonta is a great fighter. I thank him for the opportunity to show the world to all the people that was doubting me, all the people that was talking [rubbish] all the fake boxing media… even though I didn’t win tonight — I thought I did — but that’s a win for me in my book. But we not satisfied. We need a real W. But if you voluntarily take a knee and the ref starts counting that should be a knockdown. If that’s a knockdown I win the fight,” Roach
It also raises serious question marks over Tank’s future. During the build-up, he indicated that he wanted to retire this year with a view to fighting three times more. That has created the narrative that Davis has one eye on retirement. Meanwhile, Calvin Ford did not train Davis for this fight, which may have had an impact. That did not get Tank any sympathy from other boxing pros, who were clear that Roach should have gotten the win.
Reaction
Full Card
Gervonta Davis (c) vs. Lamont Roach ends in a majority decision draw for the WBA lightweight title (115-113 for Davis, 114-114, 114-114).
Gary Antuanne Russell def. Jose Valenzuela (c) via unanimous decision for the WBA super lightweight title (119-109, 119-109, 120-108).
Alberto Puello (c) def. Sandor Martin via split decision for the WBC super lightweight title (113-115, 115-113, 116-112).
Yoenis Tellez def. Julian Williams via unanimous decision for the interim WBA super welterweight title (118-110, 117-111, 119-109).
Johan Gonzalez def. Jarrett Hurd via split decision (96-94, 94-96, 98-92).
David Whitmire def. Angel Munoz via unanimous decision.
Deric Davis def. Jamal Johnson via TKO.
Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.
