In a surprising turn of events in Brooklyn, New York, Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. faced off in a highly anticipated lightweight bout that ended in a majority draw.
This result marked the first time Davis, the lightweight champion, has failed to secure a victory in his career.
Scoring Controversy and Crowd Reactions
The scoring of the fight was met with mixed reactions.
One judge gave Davis a two-point lead, while the other two scored the fight 114-114, resulting in the majority draw.
As soon as the first score was read, it seemed like Davis had successfully defended his title, but the announcement left everyone, including the fighters, stunned by the unexpected outcome.
A Key Moment in the Ninth Round
One of the most talked-about moments from the fight came in the ninth round when Davis, seemingly avoiding a knockdown, went to one knee.
The referee deemed it not a knockdown but a slip, adding to the controversy surrounding the decision and raising questions about how the judges interpreted the action.
The Fighters’ Post-Fight Reactions
Following the fight, both Davis and Roach were interviewed in the ring and expressed their surprise at the decision.
Both fighters indicated interest in a rematch and voiced that they felt they had done enough to win.
Roach, in particular, believed he had done enough to secure the victory, and Davis seemed confident he had done enough to keep his undefeated record intact.
What’s Next for Davis and Roach?
Many boxing analysts had initially believed Roach was simply a stepping stone for Davis, with a much bigger fight against Shakur Stevenson expected later in 2025.
However, after this unexpected result, a rematch between the two seems more likely, especially with both men wanting another shot at proving they deserve the victory.