The boxing world continues to reel from the fallout of Gervonta “Tank” Davis’ controversial majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1, 2025, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, but a new bombshell has emerged to intensify the drama. On Thursday, Calvin Ford, Davis’ longtime trainer, addressed the leaked audio that captured a heated argument between the two during the fight, shedding light on the tensions that boiled over in the ring. The revelation, shared in an interview with *FightHype* and quickly spreading across X with over 3 million views under #DavisFordTruth, offers a raw glimpse into the fractured dynamic between the coach and fighter, raising questions about their future together amidst an already turbulent saga.
The audio, which surfaced on March 4, 2025, via The Ring, recorded Davis and Ford clashing in the eighth and ninth rounds of the fight. In the eighth, Davis can be heard complaining, “Cal, I can’t see, man—this grease is messin’ me up!” referring to the grease from his braids burning his eyes, a claim that later became central to the fight’s controversy. Ford responds sternly, “Focus, Tank! You’re lettin’ Roach get in your head—stick to the jab, don’t panic!” By the ninth round, when Davis took a knee—a moment referee Steve Willis controversially did not count as a knockdown—Ford’s frustration peaks, shouting, “Get up, Tank! Don’t give him this round—push through it!” Davis snaps back, “Man, I can’t see! You want me to get knocked out? I’m doin’ what I gotta do!”
In his first public response to the leak, Ford spoke candidly to *FightHype* on Thursday evening, revealing the truth behind their mid-fight argument. “Tank was struggling with his vision, no doubt—that grease was a real issue, and I don’t think people understand how bad it was,” Ford explained. “But I’ve been with him since he was a kid, and I know he’s tougher than that. I wanted him to fight through it, not take a knee. That’s not how we roll. I felt he gave Roach an opening, and it almost cost us the fight.” Ford’s comments align with his earlier statements to *Boxing News 24* before the fight, where he described Roach as a familiar opponent from their amateur days, emphasizing the need for focus against a “cerebral boxer-puncher” like Roach.
The leaked audio and Ford’s response have fueled speculation on X, where #DavisFordTruth is trending alongside #RoachRobbed. “Ford’s telling it like it is—Tank panicked, and it showed,” tweeted @BoxingInsider2025, while @TankNation2023 countered, “Ford’s throwing Tank under the bus to save face. The grease was real—give him a break!” The controversy is compounded by the NYSAC’s recent decision to overturn the draw, ruling it a loss for Davis due to the ninth-round knee being reclassified as a knockdown, a move that cost him the WBA lightweight title and handed it to Roach (now 25-1-2). Davis’ record now stands at 30-1, marking his first professional defeat.
Ford also addressed the broader implications of the fight’s outcome, expressing frustration with the officiating. “I’m not saying Tank didn’t make mistakes, but that ref [Steve Willis] didn’t do his job right. If he calls the knockdown like he should’ve, we adjust in the next rounds. Instead, we’re dealing with this mess now,” Ford said, echoing sentiments from boxing figures like Terence Crawford, who tweeted on March 2, “I never seen someone take a knee and they don’t count it as a knock down. Must of forgot the rules for tonight.” The NYSAC’s review cited a “technical issue” with replay technology as the reason for the initial oversight, but the damage to Davis’ camp has been done.
The leaked audio and Ford’s comments come at a precarious time for Davis, who has already parted ways with Ford following the NYSAC’s ruling, as reported earlier today. Ford’s decision to end their 15-year partnership was attributed to a “lack of control and respect” in the ring, but his latest remarks suggest deeper issues of trust and communication. Analysts like Timothy Bradley on *SportsCenter* noted, “Ford’s honesty shows the cracks in their relationship. Tank’s at a crossroads—new trainer, new mindset, or he risks derailing his career.”
As Davis navigates his first loss and the loss of his mentor, the lightweight division braces for more upheaval. Roach, now champion, has called for a rematch, while Davis has remained silent since the split. Posts on X continue to pour in, with #DavisFordTruth reaching 5 million interactions. This saga, fueled by leaked audio and Ford’s unfiltered truth, has exposed the raw underbelly of Davis’ camp, leaving fans wondering if “Tank” can reclaim his throne without the man who built him.
