Controversial Draw in NYC: Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. Sparks Debate

Gervonta Davis secured a controversial majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. in a closely contested WBA lightweight title defense in New York. The match, held on 2 March 2025, saw Davis voluntarily drop to his knee in the ninth round—an action that has sparked significant debate among fans and pundits alike.

The Controversial Moment

During the ninth round, Davis took a knee without a direct hit from Roach, leading to confusion over whether it should constitute a knockdown. The referee chose not to count it, a decision that greatly influenced the fight's outcome. Roach, 29, argued post-fight, "If you voluntarily take a knee and the ref's not counting, that's a knockdown. If that's a knockdown, I win the fight."

Davis's Explanation

Post-match, Davis, 30, attributed his unusual action to discomfort caused by hair products. "I just got my hair done two days ago," he explained, "and the grease got into my face, burning my eyes." This unexpected issue led him to take a moment to recover at the ropes.

Expert Opinions

The match's verdict also drew criticism from boxing legend Terence Crawford, who claimed Roach was 'robbed'. "Roach won and that should have been called a knockdown. I've never seen someone take a knee and they don't count it as a knockdown," Crawford remarked on social media.

Undercard Highlights

In the event's undercard, Alberto Puello of the Dominican Republic defended his WBC light-welterweight title with a split decision victory over Spain's Sandor Martin. The judges' scores were 115-113 and 116-112 in favor of Puello, with one judge scoring it 115-113 for Martin.

Looking Ahead

With both fighters expressing interest in a rematch, the boxing community eagerly anticipates a possible second bout that could settle the score between these two formidable athletes.