Lamont Roach’s legal team submitted a request to the New York Commission, proposing one of the following three outcomes for approval…
1) A TKO win for Roach via disqualification, citing Gervonta’s withdrawal from the fight in the ninth round.
2) A TKO win for Roach via disqualification, based on the presence of an illegal irritant (hair gel) introduced into the ring by Gervonta.
3) A revised decision win for Roach, with score adjustments to account for the ninth-round knockdown.
The boxing world is abuzz with controversy following the explosive March 1, 2025 showdown between WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and challenger Lamont Roach Jr. at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. What was initially ruled a majority draw (which kept Davis’ record intact at 30-0-1) has now escalated into a full-blown legal battle. Roach’s legal team has fired a bold warning shot by filing a formal request to the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) to overturn the result and declare Roach the rightful victor. With three possible outcomes on the table, this saga could rewrite the narrative of one of the most hotly debated boxing fights in recent memory. Here’s why this story has everyone on edge.
The drama centers on a bizarre incident in the ninth round that left fans, fighters and officials scratching their heads. Davis, after being hit by a jab from Roach, dropped to his knees and retreated to his corner without a timeout being called. His trainer, Calvin Ford, then wiped his face with a towel, an action Davis later attributed to the “grease” in his hair irritating his eyes. Referee Steve Willis initiated a mandatory 10-count but stopped it, declaring it was neither a knockdown nor an infraction worthy of a disqualification. The fight continued and ended in a majority draw with scores of 115-113 for Davis and two of 114-114. But if that knee had been a knockdown, Roach would have secured a narrow victory (115-112, 114-113 and 114-113), potentially dethroning the champion. Now, Roach’s group is fighting to make that “what if” a reality.
Roach’s legal team, led by attorney Greg Smith, has laid out three compelling arguments in their letter to the NYSAC. First, they demand a TKO by disqualification victory, claiming that Davis pulled out of the fight by leaving the ring mid-round to treat his eye problem. Second, they argue for another TKO by disqualification victory, pointing out that hair gel is an “illegal irritant” introduced by Davis into the fight, violating NYSAC rules prohibiting foreign substances from affecting a boxer’s performance or safety. Lastly, they propose a revised decision victory for Roach, adjusting the scorecards to reflect the ninth-round incident as a knockdown, which they claim was blatantly mishandled by Willis. Each option has seismic implications, not only for Roach’s career, but for Davis’ pristine legacy.
The stakes couldn’t have been higher. Roach, the reigning WBA junior lightweight champion, stepped up to challenge Davis and delivered a career-defining performance, outboxing the heavily favored “Tank” in several exchanges and pushing him to the limit. “I thought I had it done,” a visibly frustrated Roach said after the fight. “That’s what two skilled fighters do — show their talent. But if that had been counted as a knockdown, I would have won.” Social media erupted in support of Roach, with many fans and analysts — such as multi-division champion Terence Crawford, who tweeted, “I’ve never seen someone take a knee and not have it counted as a knockdown” — calling the referee’s decision indefensible. Davis, meanwhile, downplayed the controversy, blaming a recent hair treatment and hinting at a rematch: “Hopefully we can do it again. Lamont is a great fighter.”
The NYSAC is already under scrutiny after admitting that a “technical issue” prevented them from reviewing replay footage during the fight, forcing them to rely on Willis’ ringside narration. “The commission is dedicated to preserving the integrity of combat sports,” its statement read, promising to investigate. But Roach’s team isn’t waiting for a passive review — it’s pushing for action. A TKO ruling would strip Davis of his title and give Roach a historic upset, while a scorecard adjustment could cement his claim as the new lightweight king. Even the hair gel issue, while unconventional, takes advantage of strict regulations on ring conditions, potentially exposing a loophole that Davis’ team overlooked.
This isn’t just any fight, but a test of boxing’s responsibility. Overturning a result is a rare occurrence, usually reserved for doping scandals, but the clarity of this error has precedent on its side. If the NYSAC sides with Roach, Davis could face his first loss, a stain on his superstar status, while Roach’s stock would soar. The WBA has reportedly pushed for a rematch, and both fighters seem open to it, but this legal move could settle the score before they ever get back in the ring. Will justice prevail for Roach, or will Davis dodge another bullet? As the commission deliberates, the boxing world holds its breath, because this decision could change everything. Stay tuned – this is far from over. What do you think of this unexpected turn? Let us know!
