Fallout escalates after Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach fight: WBA defends referee, sparks outrage

 The controversy surrounding the WBA lightweight title fight between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr., set to take place on March 1, 2025, at the Barclays Center, continues to mount, with the boxing world divided over the majority draw that preserved Davis’ undefeated record of 30-0-1. Many fans and analysts believe Roach should have been crowned the new champion due to a polarizing incident in the ninth round, but the World Boxing Association (WBA) has now weighed in, defending referee Steve Willis’ controversial decision not to rule Davis’ knee a knockdown, sparking heavy criticism and reigniting calls for a rematch.

The fight, which aired live on SHOWTIME PPV, was a close, competitive affair, with Roach, the 29-year-old WBA super featherweight champion moving up to 135 pounds, impressing with his bulk and accuracy (now 25-1-2). Davis, the 30-year-old “Tank” with 28 KOs in 31 wins, struggled to land his signature power shots, looking cagey as Roach outboxed him in the later rounds. CompuBox stats showed Roach landing 112 of 400 punches (28%) compared to Davis’ 103 of 279 (37%), fueling the perception that Roach deserved the win.

The turning point came in the ninth round, when Davis, mid-exchange, voluntarily took a knee, claiming the grease from her braids had burned his eyes, and retreated to his corner to clean himself up. However, referee Steve Willis ruled it not a knockdown, a decision that proved decisive on the scorecards. The final tally was 115-113 for Davis and 114-114 twice, resulting in a majority draw. Had Willis ruled it a knockdown, awarding Roach a 10-8 round win, the Washington DC native would have secured a split decision victory and the WBA lightweight title, a moment that has left X fans fuming with #RoachRobbed trending globally.

Willis’ decision has sparked widespread condemnation, with boxing legends and fans alike calling it “one of the worst decisions in boxing history”. Terence Crawford posted on X: “That knee should have been 10-8 for Roach, clear as day. This is a travesty.” Deontay Wilder added: “Steve Willis snatched victory from Lamont. Boxing’s credibility is at stake.” The backlash intensified as clips from the ninth round, widely shared on X, racked up more than 8 million views, with fans demanding justice and a rematch.

On Monday, the WBA posted an official statement on its website, defending Willis’ decision and dismissing allegations of bias or favoritism. “In our view, Willis’ decision was neither unreasonable nor unjustifiable. He decided in real time that Davis had not been punched before he went down and therefore no knockdown should be recorded. Judges, by rule, must follow the referee’s decisions; they do not have the authority to overrule his decisions on knockdowns. Some skeptics have suggested that Willis’ decision unfairly benefited Davis, but we do not share that notion. In our long experience judging fights, we see no evidence of favoritism; only a referee prioritizing the physical safety of a fighter who appeared compromised by an eye injury.”

The WBA’s stance stands in stark contrast to that of its own president, Gilberto Mendoza, who previously told ESPN: “This fight was controversial and deserves a rematch. The ninth-round decision left too many questions and we need to make sure there is justice for both fighters.” Mendoza’s comments, made just hours before the WBA’s statement, have deepened the divide, leaving fans and analysts baffled by the organization’s internal discord.

Davis, who is said to have earned a $5 million purse compared to Roach’s $200,000, defended the draw after the fight, saying: “I combed my hair two days ago and the grease burned my eyes. These are true facts. I think I got it done in the last three rounds, I was catching him with clean punches.” Roach, however, remains defiant, telling *The Ring*: “I won that fight. That knee was a knockdown and Steve Willis stole my title from me. The WBA’s defence of him is a slap in the face; I deserve a rematch.”

Posts on X reflect the outrage, with #WBAFail trending alongside #RoachJustice. “WBA is protecting Tank – Willis’ decision was a disgrace and they know it,” tweeted @BoxingTruth2025, while @TankNation2023 responded: “WBA is right – Davis wasn’t hit and Roach’s complaints won’t change that.” Analysts such as Timothy Bradley on *SportsCenter* argued: “WBA’s statement seems tone deaf. Fans saw what happened and Willis’ decision was indefensible. This needs a rematch or a title stripping.”

The NYSAC, which oversees boxing in New York, has launched its own review of Willis’ decision and has promised a thorough investigation into the ninth-round incident and the scorecards. No timeline has been set for a conclusion, but pressure is mounting for a resolution that could lead to a rematch or a reevaluation of Davis’ reign as champion.

As the fallout continues, the lightweight division hangs in the balance, with Roach vowing to fight for his moment and Davis standing firm as champion. The WBA’s defense of Willis has only fueled the fire, leaving fans and fighters alike wondering if justice will prevail. Stay tuned for updates from X under #RoachRobbed, as this story could redefine the future of boxing’s most contentious division.