Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach battle to controversial draw as Davis retains WBA title
Gervonta Davis retained his WBA lightweight championship in a debatable tie against Lamont Roach Jr., with a disputed ninth-round sequence sparking calls for a rematch.
Gervonta Davis held onto his WBA title in a highly argued majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. on Saturday night. The fight’s most problematic moment came in the ninth round when Davis voluntarily took a knee but was not given a knockdown ruling by the referee. The decision caused widespread debate among fans and experts, with many questioning whether Roach was denied a rightful victory.
Davis, who entered the fight with an unblemished 30-0 record, appeared to kneel intentionally during a scrappy exchange with Roach, the reigning WBA super-featherweight champion. Despite this, the match official did not acknowledge the action as a drop. The judges’ scorecards reflected the close nature of the bout, with two of them marking it 114-114, while the third gave Davis a razor-thin 115-113 edge.
Should Davis' ninth-round knee have been ruled a knockdown?
Roach, visibly frustrated post-fight, insisted that the moment should have been counted as a fall. “If you voluntarily take a knee and the ref’s not counting, that’s a knockdown,” he stated. “If that’s a knockdown, I win the fight.”
Adding to the controversy, Roach expressed disbelief at the referee’s decision, stating, "I’ve seen knockdowns called for less than that. This was a pivotal moment, and I believe it cost me the fight." His sentiments were echoed by supporters and analysts who argued that such a verdict could have drastically altered the final scorecards.
Will Gervonta Davis give Lamont Roach a second chance?
Following the backlash, Davis defended his performance but acknowledged the uproar. “I did what I had to do to retain my title,” he stated. “It was a tough fight, but I know I won. I respect Roach, and if the people want a rematch, we can make it happen.” His words fueled speculation that a rematch could be on the horizon, as fans and commentators continue to debate the fairness of the decision.
Despite supporting the official call, Davis left the door open for another fight. “I’ll talk to my team, and we’ll see what’s next, but I’m not afraid of anyone,” he asserted. “If Roach really wants it, let’s do it again.” With these statements, the possibility of a highly anticipated rematch remains a hot topic in the boxing world.