The fallout continues following the Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach fight.
Davis was putting his WBA lightweight title on the line at the Barclays Center in New York on March 1, in a fight that many fans expected to be a straightforward defence for ‘Tank.’
The fight didn’t unfold that way, with Roach having lots of success throughout the contest, leading to a controversial moment in the ninth round.
Davis voluntarily took a knee and retreated to his corner, and despite the referee initially counting, he chose to stop and not count it as a knockdown. ‘Tank’ later claimed it was due to grease being in his eye.
The fight ended in a majority decision draw after the judges scored it 115-113 Davis and 114-114 twice, meaning a 10-8 round for Roach in the ninth would have been enough to see him become WBA lightweight champion.
It has now been revealed what Roach said to the referee during that controversial moment, making it clear what he thought the referee should have done.
“Keep counting! Keep counting!”
Roach then explained what was going through his mind while it happened.
“The referee started counting but I see him [Davis] get up and go to a corner, now I’m confused.
“I was focused on the referee counting. When I look at him in the corner I’m like what is going on? I want this to be a knockdown because it should be. I asked him why did you stop counting?”
Roach’s team lodged an official appeal over the verdict, but the New York State Athletic Commission ruled that the result will remain the same.
