Roach and Gervonta Davis Fight to a Majority Draw Following the Knockdown Controversy
The history of sluggish starts for Gervonta “Tank” Davis almost came up with him on Saturday night. At Brooklyn, New York’s Barclays Center, which was sold out to 19,250 people, Davis defended his WBA lightweight title against Lamont Roach Jr., but the bout ended in a majority draw. In a bout he would want to […] The post Roach and Gervonta Davis Fight to a Majority Draw Following the Knockdown Controversy appeared first on BlackSportsOnline.
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The history of sluggish starts for Gervonta “Tank” Davis almost came up with him on Saturday night. At Brooklyn, New York’s Barclays Center, which was sold out to 19,250 people, Davis defended his WBA lightweight title against Lamont Roach Jr., but the bout ended in a majority draw. In a bout he would want to forget, Davis kept his title.
Two judges rated the fight 114-114, and a third judge rated it 115-113 in favor of Davis. ESPN scored the bout 114-114. Following the altercation, Davis stated, “Lamont is a great fighter. ” He has the skills, and like I said before, he has punching power. It was a lesson. Hopefully, we can run it back.”
In an odd moment, referee Steve Wilkes chose not to give Roach a knockdown when Davis mysteriously took a knee in the ninth round.
Gervonta Davis and Roach give statements after the fight
According to Davis, he went to the knee because his eye was irritated by oil from his hair. The knockdown might have turned the tide in Roach’s favor, but the bout continued without a penalty.
Roach may have won the ninth round 10–8 if the knockdown had been called. Rather, two judges gave Davis a 10-9 score in the round. According to Davis: “I just got my hair done two days ago and she put grease in my hair,” “When I was sweating and things like that, it burned my eyes.”
Roach agreed with Davis’ analysis of the circumstances. He did clarify, though, that the rules are the rules. Roach stated: “If you take a knee and the ref starts counting, it should be a knockdown,” “If that’s a knockdown, I win the fight. I’m not banking on that knockdown to win. I just thought I pulled it out.”
As a huge -2000 betting favorite on ESPN BET going into the bout, many predicted that Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) would stop Roach, who was making his lightweight debut, and earn his 29th career knockout.
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