Gervonta Davis kept hold of his WBA Lightweight World Title this month in Brooklyn, fighting challenger Lamont Roach Jr to a controversial draw.
Though ‘Tank’ stepped through the ropes a heavy favourite, Roach came to fight and was willing to trade with the big puncher from Baltimore to prove his worth.
After twelve closely fought rounds, one judge scored it 115-113 to the champion whilst the other two couldn’t split them, tallying the fight up to 114-114 for a majority draw.
The controversy came in round nine when Davis took a knee, retreated to his corner and had his coach wipe his face. Despite starting a count, referee Steve Willis ultimately didn’t call the stunt a knockdown and Roach was not awarded a 10-8 on the cards. If he had been, he would’ve won the fight unanimously.
Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has weighed in on the debate via Hot 97 and, despite scoring the fight a draw, said ‘Tank’ should have lost by disqualification.
“Yeah, in my opinion it was a draw. He [took] a knee. And plus the corner go up and put a towel in his face. That’s a disqualification. For sure. I’m talking about the rules, but it’s not my business.”
Though the New York State Athletic Commission looked in to the matter and ruled that the result would remain the same, the WBA may still order an immediate rematch.
