‘Utter s***show’: Boxing controversy, world fumes at Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis

Boxing controversy has erupted after superstar Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis was seemingly granted preferential treatment in his world title fight.

Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis has escaped with a draw against Lamont Roach Jr to retain his WBA lightweight title in controversial circumstances.

Davis was the favourite to win but was below his best as Roach took it right up to the world champion at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Sunday (AEDT).

Davis vs. Roach | SUN 2 MARCH 12PM AEDT | Boxing superstar Gervonta Davis returns to defend his WBA Lightweight World Title against WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Lamont Roach at the Barclays Center, New York. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

The fight went the distance and was ruled a majority draw (115-113 Davis, 114-114 x 2). It’s the first blemish on Davis’ career record, which now reads 30-0-1.

Roach was pouring on the punches in the ninth round when Davis wiped his face and took a knee, pausing the fight.

Taking a knee is usually automatically deemed a knockdown, but the referee didn’t see it that way, letting Davis continue the fight.

It was a crucial call in the context of the fight given Roach was hammering away and a knockdown could have given him the edge on the scorecards.

Watch Gervonta Davis take a knee in the video above

Are they serious? Photo: Fox Sports

Gervonta Davis takes a knee in the middle of round nine. He said it was due to the grease in his braids that dripped into his eyes against Lamont Roach Jr. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP.

Commentator Mauro Ranallo said: “He took a knee! What is he doing? Wow, OK.

Another commentator said: “That’s a got to be a knockdown, that’s a generous call.”

Davis appeared to used the pause in proceedings to his advantage, landing several body shots in the ninth round when the fight resumed.

ESPN’s Mike Coppinger wrote on X: “Big-time missed call by a quality referee in Steve Willis.

“Lamont Roach landed a left hand and while it didn’t seem to land with impact, Gervonta Davis took a knee afterward and then retrieved his mouthpiece which was apparently not placed in before the start of Round 9.

“Sorry, but last I checked there are no timeouts in boxing. Willis correctly admonished him that he can’t take a knee because it looks like a knockdown but he should have began a count.”

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons commented: “Not gonna complain about boxing being shady because that’s the sport — it’s not regulated and it’s occasionally shady. We all know it. It’s been the case my entire life. But Tank taking a knee with no penalty was honestly bonkers. It’s inexplicable.”

The lightweight bout between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr was ruled a draw. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP.

Veteran boxing reporter Dan Rafael said: “Another utter sh*t show for the New York State Athletic Commission to not call that a knockdown even using replay!!! WTF were they looking at????????????????

“Understand that missing that knockdown call has cost Roach literally MILLIONS of dollars and career-defining victory and another world title.”

Rafael was far from done however, adding: “Since men put padded gloves on their hands to fight more than a century ago this is a knockdown if you voluntarily take a knee regardless of the reason. One of the worst f**k ups by a referee (not to mention the replay official) I have seen my roughly 45 years of watching.”

Even the next morning he was still fuming, writing: “I woke up and been watching the replay. Utter disgrace the ref f**ked up not ruling a knockdown when Tank blatantly took a knee. Worse was the replay official letting it stand. Complete and total Lamont Roach f**kery. Literally worst call I’ve see in my life of watching.”

The NYSAC has something to answer for. The scorecards were fine. Competitive fight. But Lamont Roach gets the knockdown he deserved in the ninth and he wins. Absolutely ridiculous.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) March 2, 2025

One cynical fan wrote on social media: “Tank Davis took a knee then got a towel wipe off and the refs just said it’s fine lmaoo nah this is rigged.”

Boxing champion Terence Crawford said: “I never seen someone take a knee and they don’t count it as a knock down. Must of forgot the rules for tonight.”

Leading promoter Lou DiBella said: “Horrible that a fight of that magnitude was decided on a referee mistake, a mistake that should have been correctable ... can’t just take a knee! Fight was that close and Roach earned an immediate run back in my book.”

Speaking in the ring after the fight, Davis claimed he took a knee because grease from his hair had gotten into his eyes.

“I got my hair done two days ago … and you know when you’re sweating and that and the grease come in my face.”

In response to the crowd booing his explanation, Davis said: “Damn, why y’all booing like I’m saying bullsh*t … this is real facts. It’s all cool, they love you and then they hate you.”

With Jake Paul watching on ringside, there were immediate calls from both camps for a rematch between Tank and Roach.