The Fallout Intensifies After the Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Fight: WBA Defends Referee, Sparks Outrage
The controversy surrounding the Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. WBA lightweight title fight on March 1, 2025, at Barclays Center continues to escalate, with the boxing world divided over the majority draw that preserved Davis’ undefeated 30-0-1 record. Many fans and analysts believe Roach should have been crowned the new champion due to a polarizing ninth-round incident, but the World Boxing Association (WBA) has now weighed in, defending referee Steve Willis’ controversial decision not to call Davis’ knee a knockdown—drawing sharp criticism and reigniting calls for a rematch.
The fight, broadcast live on SHOWTIME PPV, was a close and competitive affair, with Roach, the 29-year-old WBA super featherweight champion stepping up to 135 pounds, impressing with his volume and precision (now 25-1-2). Davis, the 30-year-old “Tank” with 28 KOs in 31 wins, struggled to land his signature power shots, appearing cautious as Roach outworked 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 grease from his braids had burned his eyes, and retreated to his corner for a wipe-down. Referee Steve Willis, however, ruled it a non-knockdown, a decision that proved decisive on the scorecards. The final tally read 115-113 for Davis and 114-114 twice, resulting in a majority draw. Had Willis called it a knockdown, awarding Roach a 10-8 round, the Washington D.C. native would have secured a split decision victory and the WBA lightweight title, a moment that has left fans on X fuming with #RoachRobbed trending globally.
Willis’ call has drawn widespread condemnation, with boxing legends and fans labeling it “one of the worst decisions in boxing history.” Terence Crawford posted on X, “That knee should’ve been a 10-8 for Roach—clear as day. This is a travesty.” Deontay Wilder added, “Steve Willis snatched the win from Lamont. Boxing’s credibility is on the line.” The backlash intensified as clips of the ninth round, shared widely on X, amassed over 8 million views, with fans demanding justice and a rematch.
On Monday, the WBA released an official statement on its website, defending Willis’ decision and dismissing claims of bias or favoritism. “From our perspective, Willis’ decision was not unreasonable or unjustifiable. He ruled in real-time that Davis had not been struck by a punch before going down, and therefore, no knockdown should be recorded. Judges, by regulation, must follow the referee’s rulings—they do not have the authority to override his decisions on knockdowns. Some skeptics have suggested that Willis’ call benefited Davis unfairly, but we do not subscribe to 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 its own president, Gilberto Mendoza, who earlier told *ESPN*, “This fight was controversial and deserves a rematch. The ninth-round call left too many questions, and we need to ensure fairness for both fighters.” Mendoza’s comments, made just hours before the WBA statement, have deepened the rift, leaving fans and analysts puzzled by the organization’s internal discord.
Davis, who earned a reported $5 million purse compared to Roach’s $200,000, defended the draw post-fight, saying, “I got my hair done two days ago, and the grease burned my eyes. It’s real facts. I think I pulled it off in the last three rounds—I was catching him with clean shots.” Roach, however, remains defiant, telling *The Ring*, “I won that fight. That knee was a knockdown, and Steve Willis robbed me of my title. The WBA’s defense of him is a slap in the face—I deserve a rematch.”
Posts on X reflect the outrage, with #WBAFail trending alongside #RoachJustice. “The WBA is protecting Tank—Willis’ call was a disgrace, and they know it,” tweeted @BoxingTruth2025, while @TankNation2023 countered, “The WBA’s right—Davis didn’t get hit, and Roach’s whining won’t change that.” Analysts like Timothy Bradley on *SportsCenter* argued, “The WBA’s statement feels tone-deaf. Fans saw what happened, and Willis’ call was indefensible. This needs a rematch or a title strip.”
The NYSAC, which oversees boxing in New York, has launched its own review of Willis’ decision, promising a thorough investigation into the ninth-round incident and the scorecards. No timeline for a conclusion has been set, but the pressure is mounting for a resolution that could lead to a rematch or a reevaluation of Davis’ title reign.
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 on X under #RoachRobbed, as this story could redefine the future of boxing’s most contentious draw.
