The New York Athletic Commission is currently scrutinizing the footage from the recent bout between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach, following a contentious call in the ninth round that significantly influenced the fight's outcome. This pivotal moment occurred when Davis voluntarily took a knee, a situation that could have been interpreted as a knockdown. Referee Steve Willis initiated a mandatory 10-count as the WBA lightweight champion returned to his corner to have his face attended to by his coaches.
Despite the circumstances, Willis chose not to penalize Davis for what might have been ruled a knockdown, a decision that would have led to a point deduction on the scorecards. Davis later clarified that he was dealing with "grease" from his hair dripping into his eyes, prompting his decision to take a brief pause in the action. He expressed that he wanted to avoid taking any unnecessary damage during the fight.
The referee’s choice not to deduct points from Davis ultimately cost Roach a potential victory, as the fight concluded in a majority draw after two judges scored the contest 114-114. Had the point been deducted, Roach would have secured a majority decision win, altering the narrative of the fight significantly.
On Monday, the commission addressed the controversial situation in a statement to MMA Fighting. Officials noted, “At this time, the New York State Athletic Commission is reviewing the matter involving Saturday’s matchup between Lamont Roach and Gervonta Davis.” They elaborated that a technical issue hindered the commission's ability to access the replay video during the round, compelling them to rely on the referee's in-ring decision, which allowed the fight to continue uninterrupted.
The commission reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of combative sports, stating, “We are dedicated to working with all promotions and production teams — on behalf of the athletes, officials, and fans — to ensure technical issues do not occur in the future that prevent the delivery of ringside instant replay feeds to the commission’s officials when needed.” This highlights the importance of reliable technology in ensuring fair outcomes in professional boxing bouts.
As the commission conducts its review, it remains uncertain whether any decision made will retroactively change the fight's outcome. Despite the disappointment for Roach, he has expressed a strong desire for a rematch with Davis. Entering the match as a significant underdog, Roach nearly pulled off a monumental upset and is eager to seize another opportunity.
In response to the situation, Davis has indicated his willingness to face Roach again. He took to Twitter to share, “And say no more. I’m pushing for the rematch … the rematch can be soon too, like end of May.” This openness to a rematch could set the stage for an exciting second encounter between the two fighters, promising fans a chance to witness a highly anticipated showdown.
