While nobody won the bout between WBA lightweight champion, Gervonta Davis, and Lamont Roach, it was the New York State Athletic Commission and referee, Steve Willis, who should still be credited with the save on Saturday night at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York.
While the official record will state that Davis and Roach fought to a 12-round draw, it was Roach who is the victor in the court of public opinion.
For him, there is winning in tying.
Esther Lin/PBC
After 36 minutes of action, two judges had it 114-114, while another had it 115-113 for Davis, making it a majority draw.
Coming into this contest, the belief was that the technically sound but light hitting Roach (who had just 10 stoppages in 27 prior contests) would eventually wilt against the unnerving power of Davis, who is considered one of the game best power hitters. But a funny thing happened, not only did Roach box well early on, controlling the center of the ring, but he also more than held his own inside the pocket in exchanges later on in this fight.
'Tank' never truly got rolling in this fight.
You could make a case that Roach won seven or eight rounds legitimately in this bout. While the most you could see for Davis is really five or six. But that's the going exchange rate you get for facing one of the games big ticket selling attractions.
Esther Lin/PBC
But what will forever be remembered about this contest is round nine. After taking a few relatively light punches, Davis turned to Willis for a split second before stunningly taking a quick knee, and then scurrying over to his corner for some assistance from his corner. Willis actually started the mandatory eight-count, before suddenly expunging his own call. By definition that was a knockdown. Then it wasn't.
Whatchu talkin' 'bout Willis?
In the past, Willis has gained a reputation as a reliable world-class referee. Now, well... he might have become the modern day Richard Steele after his controversial call in the first match-up between Julio Cesar Chavez and Meldrick Taylor.
Esther Lin/PBC
Davis later explained, "I got my hair done two days ago and she put grease in my shit. So, the grease, when you sweat, it was coming into my face." In subsequent rounds you could see Davis wiping his own face with the towel as he sat on the stool.
If the knockdown was called, Roach would've won a close decision.
Putting all that aside, Davis should've been disqualified for getting help from his corner during a round. In theory, there are no timeouts in boxing. Unless of course, you have A-side privilege. Just ask yourself this, if the roles were reversed, you think Roach would've been given this same treatment?
There's an old saying in the business: fighters fight for today, judges and referees fight for tomorrow. And with that, 'house fighters' have their own set of rules in place for them. That's the unfortunate reality of this business.
Esther Lin/PBC
Regardless, the performance put forth by Roach should not be forgotten. As expected, he boxed intelligently early on. But to the surprise of everyone, Roach got more emboldened in the late rounds, and struck Davis with several sharp counter punches that got his attention. While he was the guy moving up in weight, Roach was physically very stout and durable. On this night he showed that not only is he a technically sound fighter, but a tough one.
Roach, who came into this contest as the WBA 130-pound belt-holder, and rated fourth in the division by Ring Magazine, may have found a new, lucrative home at lightweight. There is the possibility of a rematch against Davis (who stated in the post-fight presser that it may not happen immediately) and options such as WBC lightweight titlist, Shakur Stevenson
Esther Lin/PBC
Roach is now a player, regardless.
"The script got flipped upside down," he stated. "Even though I didn’t win tonight, I thought I did, but it’s a win for me in my book, but we are not satisfied with that. We need a real W.”
