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Mike Coppinger
The New York State Athletic Commission, in a statement to ESPN, said it is “reviewing the matter” involving Saturday’s Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach WBA lightweight title fight in Brooklyn.
“Tank” Davis, one of boxing’s top stars, took a knee in Round 9 following a punch that landed by Roach. Referee Steve Willis correctly started to count, but when he reached three, he stopped and didn’t rule it a knockdown.
If Willis followed the rules and called a knockdown, Roach would have won via decision. Instead, the WBA junior lightweight champion settled for a draw as he attempted to become a two-weight champion in what would have represented a shocking upset. Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) was a prohibitive -2000 favorite, per ESPN BET.
Two judges scored the fight 114-114 while a third judge scored it 115-113 for Davis.
“During the round in question, following the commission’s request for the replay video, there was a technical issue preventing the commission from receiving it within the allotted time for review,” a commission spokeswoman stated. “Therefore, the referee’s in-ring decision was relied upon and the fight continued.
“The commission is dedicated to preserving the integrity of combative sports and is committed 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.”
Baltimore’s Davis said after the bout the reason he took a knee was because grease from a hair treatment Thursday “burned my eyes.” Davis was also allowed to have his corner wipe his eyes with a towel, which is prohibited during the round. Only the referee has the authority to halt the action. This is the second major incident involving the New York commission in the last year. In April, boxing star Ryan Garcia’s upset victory over Devin Haney was overturned to a no contest after he tested positive for a banned substance. The commission also suspended him for one year and fined him seven figures.
“What I’m wondering is if the commission only makes changes when you complain and cry like Haney or they actually care about the integrity of the sport!” Garcia posted Sunday on X. “Nothing against Tank but since the commission switches my victory they should switch this victory for Roach.”
The bout contract included a rematch clause for Davis in the event he didn’t win. The 30-year-old said Monday on X he was “pushing for the rematch” as soon as late May.
“If you take a knee and the ref starts counting, it should be a knockdown,” Roach (25-1-2) said following the bout. “If that’s a knockdown, I win the fight.”
Washington D.C.’s Roach, 29, remains the WBA titleholder at 130 pounds. He’s rated No. 5 by ESPN at junior lightweight.
Davis is ESPN’s No. 1 lightweight and No. 8 pound-for-pound boxer.
