“HE LOST THAT FIGHT!” Boxing World REACTS to Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach draw
The boxing world erupted in controversy and outrage on Saturday night after Gervonta “Tank” Davis retained his WBA lightweight title in a controversial majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. at Barclays Center, sparking a firestorm of reaction from fans, analysts and fighters alike. With the judges scoring the fight 115-113 for Davis and 114-114 twice, the result has left many convinced that Roach was robbed of a victory, with chants of “He lost that fight!” echoing across social media and boxing forums.
The 12-round clash, which aired live on SHOWTIME PPV and was viewed by more than 500,000 pay-per-view buyers, pitted undefeated Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) against Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs), the WBA super featherweight champion who is challenging for the lightweight crown. Davis, a Baltimore native and one of boxing’s biggest stars, came in as the heavy favorite and was expected to dominate with his trademark knockout power. Roach, an underdog from Washington, D.C., promised to shock the world with his skill and heart, and for much of the fight, he delivered.
From the start of the fight, the tactics were competitive, with both fighters cautious but explosive. Davis started slowly, as is his wont, while Roach came forward, landing jabs and body shots to establish his dominance. In the middle rounds, Roach’s counterpunching and stamina began to shine, particularly in rounds seven through nine, where he landed hooks, uppercuts and combinations that rocked Davis. The turning point came in round nine, when Davis unexpectedly took a knee, claiming that the grease from his braids was affecting his vision. Referee Steve Willis controversially refused to declare him down, allowing Davis to retreat to his corner to be cleaned up – a decision that has since become the focal point of the brouhaha.
Roach rode the momentum and unleashed a barrage of punches in the championship rounds, outlanding Davis in total strikes (112 of 400 for Roach to 103 of 279 for Davis, according to CompuBox stats) and displaying his technical prowess. Despite Davis’ flurry of punches late, the fight went down to the wire and the judges’ split decision left the Barclays Center crowd booing loudly, unconvinced by the outcome. Davis retained his title, but the draw marked the first blemish on his previously spotless record, while Roach walked away with a moral victory.
The online reaction has been explosive, with X-rated posts reflecting widespread frustration and disbelief. “He lost that fight!” one fan tweeted, echoing the sentiment of many who believe Roach’s performance warranted a clear win. “Lamont outboxed Tank all night; Steve Willis and the judges robbed him of a historic upset,” another wrote, referencing the no-knockdown decision in the ninth round. Other users criticised Davis, with comments such as: “This wasn’t the Tank we know; Roach exposed him” and “Gervonta bailed out by bad refereeing.” The hashtag #RoachRobbed has been trending globally, with more than 2 million mentions since the final bell, along with #DavisDraw, as fans demand a rematch.
Boxing icons have voiced sharp opinions. Floyd Mayweather, Davis’ former mentor, posted on X: “Tank still has what it takes but that ninth round was a disaster. Roach gave him a real fight; the rematch makes sense.” Shakur Stevenson, a rival lightweight contender, added: “Lamont outworked Davis, no question. That draw reeks of favoritism.” Deontay Wilder, known for his knockout power, commented: “Roach should have had that win; Tank is lucky the ref didn’t call for the knee.”
Roach himself expressed disappointment but remained defiant at the post-fight press conference. “I definitely thought I won this fight,” he told reporters. “I faced one of the best and proved I belong at 135 pounds. You can boo all you want, but I’m not settling for a draw; I want that rematch.” Davis, for his part, acknowledged Roach’s skill but defended his performance, saying, “Lamont is a great fighter, but I felt I did enough. The grease in my eye put me off, but I’ll come back stronger. We’re going to get it back.”
The controversy has also drawn attention to referee Steve Willis, with critics calling his ninth-round decision “incompetence” and “a disgrace to boxing.” Analysts such as Max Kellerman of *ESPN* argued: “That no-knockdown decision was the difference. Roach deserved at least a 10-8 round, and it could have swung the fight in his favor.” Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with one user writing: “Willis gave Davis a gift: Roach was robbed blind.”
The draw has major implications for the lightweight division. Davis, who remains unbeaten on paper, faces questions about his form after a lackluster performance, while Roach’s stock rises as an underdog who nearly pulled off a monumental victory. Both fighters have called for a rematch, with PBC reported to be already in talks to schedule a second fight in late 2025, possibly in Las Vegas or Saudi Arabia. The result could also impact Davis’ rumoured mega-fight with Shakur Stevenson or Keyshawn Davis, as his aura of invincibility has taken a hit.
As the boxing world digests this polarizing result, the debate rages on: Did Gervonta Davis actually win, or was Lamont Roach unfairly denied a historic victory? The clamor at X and in the arenas suggests the latter, with fans and pundits united in their belief that “He lost that fight!” Not only has this draw left the lightweight division in a state of flux, but it has also ignited one of the most heated arguments in recent boxing history.
Stay tuned for updates as the fallout continues, with real-time reaction and analysis available on X under #RoachRobbed. This controversial draw could redefine the paths of both fighters and reshape the future of the 135-pound crown.
