Gervonta Davis kept his WBA Lightweight World Title after twelve rounds with Lamont Roach Jr were scored a majority draw.
The controversy from the Brooklyn main event continues to unfold. Not only did Roach impress much more than many in the sport had expected, giving as good as he got to the knockout artist from Baltimore, he was the victim of a strange call that cost him the fight.
In the ninth round, ‘Tank’ Davis took a knee and retreated to his corner to have his coach wipe his face, later revealing that grease from his hair got into his eyes. Despite starting a count, referee Steve Willis did not continue with it and failed to call a knockdown. Had he done so, and the scorecards for the rest of the rounds remained the same, Roach would be champion with a unanimous decision.
Top trainer Robert Garcia – who corners the like of Vergil Ortiz Jr and Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez – told Pro Box TV that not only does he believe Roach should have won the first bout, but that he is backing him in a rematch.
“I would love the commission to turn that decision around. Lamont should be champion. And even if they don’t, I’m excited for the rematch. Just seeing [Roach] and his coach, their confidence, I think we’ll see a better fight and I think we’ll see a better version of Lamont Roach and he will become champion.”
Though the New York State Athletic Commission ruled to keep the result the same, the WBA may still order an immediate rematch as per President Gilberto Mendoza’s comments. Regardless, both fighters say they want it to happen with Davis claiming he will be ready as early as May.
