Lamont Roach expressed deep frustration following the New York State Athletic Commission‘s decision to uphold the result of his WBA lightweight title bout against Gervonta Davis. The fight, which ended in a controversial majority draw, left Roach feeling short changed after a pivotal moment in the ninth round.
Referee Steve Willis failed to call a knockdown when Davis took a knee following a series of clean punches from Roach. While the commission later admitted the referee should have ruled it a knockdown, they determined that the bout’s continuation for three additional rounds made the referee’s decision non-determinative to the outcome.
For Roach, the ruling felt like a dismissal of the effort and discipline he brought into the ring. “I should be celebrating as the new lightweight champion, but instead, I’m left with questions and disappointment,” Roach stated. His camp argued that the missed knockdown call could have decisively shifted the fight in his favor, with a likely victory on the scorecards.
Despite the setback, Roach remains steadfast in his belief that he earned the win in the eyes of fans and vows to push for a rematch. His attorney, Gregory M. Smith, echoed the sentiment, referring to Roach as the “people’s champion at 135 pounds,” and emphasizing the need for justice in boxing’s officiating processes.
The controversy further deepened when it was revealed that Davis cited “burning eyes” from a hair treatment as the reason he took the knee, and was allowed to have his corner wipe his eyes during the round—an act prohibited by rules. Roach’s team sees this as yet another point of contention, illustrating the uneven handling of the fight.
The Washington, D.C., native remains optimistic despite the disappointment, determined to prove himself in a rematch. With this controversial outcome fueling the narrative, Roach is positioning himself not just as a formidable challenger, but as a symbol of resilience and grit in the lightweight division.
