Gervonta Davis Retains WBA Lightweight Title After Controversial Draw Against Lamont Roach

Image credits: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Gervonta Davis has retained his WBA lightweight title after a controversial majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr in New York. The boxing superstar, who had won all 30 of his previous fights, voluntarily dropped to his knee in the ninth round of a scrappy affair with WBA super-featherweight champion Roach. However, the referee did not call it as a knockdown, and two judges later scored the contest 114-114, with a third giving it to Davis 115-113. The decision sparked controversy, with many believing that Roach should have been awarded the win due to the potential knockdown.

Davis claimed that he had dropped to his knee due to grease from his hair getting into his eyes, which had been done just two days prior to the fight. He stated that the grease had burned his eyes, causing him to stop and receive assistance from his corner. However, Roach and many others disputed this claim, believing that the incident should have been counted as a knockdown. The referee's decision not to count the incident as a knockdown potentially prevented Roach from winning the fight. Roach's performance was notable, as he landed more punches than Davis and showed significant power throughout the match.

The fight was closely contested, with both fighters giving it their all. The sold-out crowd of 19,250 at Barclays Center was on the edge of their seats as the two fighters battled it out. In the end, the decision to award the fight a majority draw was met with boos from the crowd, who felt that Roach had been robbed of the win. The controversy surrounding the potential knockdown has sparked debate among boxing fans, with many calling for a rematch between the two fighters. The match scores were as follows:

• One judge scored the fight 115-113 in favor of Davis
• Two judges scored the fight 114-114, resulting in a majority draw

Other boxers, including multi-division champion Terence Crawford, have also weighed in on the controversy, stating that they have never seen someone take a knee and not have it counted as a knockdown. Roach has called for a rematch, and it remains to be seen whether the two fighters will face each other again in the future. Davis, on the other hand, has praised Roach as a "great fighter" and has expressed his willingness to run it back in New York. The outcome of the fight has significant implications for the lightweight division, and fans will be eagerly awaiting the next match between these two talented fighters.

The undercard of the event also saw unbeaten Alberto Puello of the Dominican Republic beat Spain's Sandor Martin by split decision to retain his WBC light-welterweight title. The fight was closely contested, with two judges scoring the fight in favor of Puello and one judge scoring it in favor of Martin. The match statistics were as follows:

1. Davis's record now stands at 30-0-1
2. Roach's record now stands at 25-1-2
3. Puello's record remains unbeaten