Shocking Outcome at Brooklyn Boxing Match – Why Didn’t Davis’s Knockdown Count?

The spotlight was on Brooklyn last Saturday night for the highly anticipated WBA lightweight title fight between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach. This bout, however, ended in controversy that left fans and analysts alike debating the outcome days after the final bell had rung.

Drama in the Ninth Round

The drama unfolded in the ninth round when Davis took a knee following a punch from Roach. Typically, such an action would prompt a referee to count it as a knockdown. Indeed, referee Steve Willis began the count but abruptly stopped at three, deciding not to declare it a knockdown. This decision has sparked a firestorm of debate.

Had the knockdown been called, Roach would likely have won by decision. Instead, the fight concluded in a draw, with two judges scoring it 114-114 and a third tipping slightly in Davis’s favor at 115-113. This result was surprising given that Davis, with a record of 30-0-1 and 28 KOs, entered the fight as the overwhelming favorite with odds of -2000, according to ESPN BET.

The Role of Technology—or Its Absence

Further complicating matters was a reported technical issue that occurred when the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) attempted to review the incident. “During the round in question, following the commission’s request for the replay video, there was a technical issue preventing the commission from receiving it within the allotted time for review,” a commission spokeswoman stated. As a result, the referee’s decision in the ring stood as is.

This incident is a stark reminder of the vital role that technology plays in modern sports, including boxing. The commission has expressed its commitment to ensuring such glitches are avoided in the future, emphasizing its dedication to preserving the integrity of combative sports.

A Controversial Figure in Sports

Davis’s account of the events adds another layer to the controversy. He claimed that his sudden need to kneel was due to grease from a hair treatment burning his eyes—a situation that led his corner to intervene, albeit against regulations that state only the referee can halt the action during a round.

This bout was not the first to spotlight issues with the NYSAC’s handling of fights. Earlier this year, another major incident occurred when Ryan Garcia’s victory over Devin Haney was overturned due to a failed drug test, leading to a hefty suspension and fine for Garcia. Garcia himself has voiced frustration over perceived inconsistencies in how such matters are handled, hinting at preferential treatment depending on the fighter’s visibility and influence.

Calls for a Rematch

Amidst the fallout from the fight, Davis has been vocal about his intentions to pursue a rematch with Roach, potentially as early as late May. “If you take a knee and the ref starts counting, it should be a knockdown,” Roach asserted post-fight, emphasizing that a properly called knockdown would have secured him a victory.

As it stands, Roach remains the WBA titleholder at 130 pounds and is rated No. 5 by ESPN at junior lightweight, while Davis holds his spot as ESPN’s No. 1 lightweight and No. 8 pound-for-pound boxer. The controversy of this bout has undoubtedly set the stage for an intense rematch, where both fighters will have a chance to solidify their standings and perhaps put to rest the debates that have arisen from their last encounter.