NYSAC Reviews Controversial Decision in Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. Fight

The world of boxing is no stranger to controversy, but the latest dispute surrounding the Gervonta “Tank” Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. fight has taken things to another level. The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) is now reviewing the outcome of the March 1, 2025, bout, which ended in a majority draw—a decision that many in the boxing community have criticized.

With claims of a missed knockdown in the ninth round, concerns over officiating, and an appeal filed by Roach’s camp, the fight’s result remains under scrutiny. Now, all eyes are on the NYSAC as it decides whether to uphold or overturn the verdict.

The Fight: Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr.

A High-Stakes Bout

Gervonta Davis entered the fight as the favorite, boasting an impressive undefeated record and a reputation for his knockout power. Lamont Roach Jr., while an underdog, came prepared to challenge one of the sport’s most dangerous fighters.

From the opening bell, the match was highly competitive. Davis relied on his explosive power and counterpunching, while Roach used his technical skills and footwork to keep the fight close. Both fighters landed significant shots, making it difficult for the judges to score rounds decisively.

The Ninth-Round Controversy

The most controversial moment of the fight occurred in the ninth round. Roach landed a clean combination that appeared to force Davis to take a knee. Typically, this would be ruled as a knockdown, impacting the official scorecards. However, referee Steve Willis did not count it, allowing the fight to continue uninterrupted.

Davis later claimed that his eyes were irritated by grease from his hair, which led him to take a knee for a brief moment. Many boxing analysts and fans, however, believed that the referee’s failure to recognize the knockdown ultimately affected the final decision.

The Official Decision and Immediate Backlash

At the end of the 12-round contest, the judges scored the fight as follows:

• Judge 1: 114-114 (Draw)
• Judge 2: 115-113 (Davis)
• Judge 3: 114-114 (Draw)

With two judges ruling it a draw and one favoring Davis, the fight was declared a majority draw.

Fan and Media Reaction

The decision immediately sparked outrage among fans and boxing pundits. Many believed that had the ninth-round knockdown been properly counted, Roach would have won the fight by a narrow margin.

Social media erupted with reactions, with some calling the result a “robbery” and others defending Davis’s performance. Prominent voices in the boxing world weighed in, including:

• Eddie Hearn (promoter) expressed doubts that the NYSAC would overturn the decision, despite public outcry.
• Teddy Atlas (Boxing Analyst): Called the referee’s non-call a “massive error” that cost Roach the fight.
• Andre Ward (Former Champion): Criticized the lack of instant replay, stating that boxing needs better officiating standards.

NYSAC’s Review and Potential Decision Overturn

Why is the NYSAC involved?

Given the controversy, the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) decided to review the fight, particularly focusing on the ninth-round incident. The commission acknowledged that there was a technical issue that prevented the use of instant replay, which could have clarified the situation immediately.

Roach’s team officially filed an appeal, arguing that the non-call directly impacted the outcome and requesting that the decision be overturned in his favor.

What Are the Possible Outcomes?

After reviewing the fight footage and hearing arguments from both camps, the NYSAC had several options:

1. Uphold the Draw—Leave the result unchanged.
2. Recognize the knockdown and adjust scores. If the ninth-round knockdown had been properly scored, Roach may have won. The commission could adjust the scores accordingly.
3. Order a Rematch: Given the controversy, the NYSAC could mandate an immediate rematch.
4. Overturn the Decision: While rare, the commission could reverse the draw into a win for Roach based on the error.

Final NYSAC Decision: The Draw Stands

After a thorough review, the NYSAC ultimately decided to uphold the draw, stating that while a mistake was made, it wasn’t enough to justify overturning the result. The commission acknowledged the error but cited the lack of precedent for overturning a decision based solely on a referee’s misjudgment.

Reactions to the Final Decision

The ruling sparked mixed reactions across the boxing world:

• Roach’s Team expressed disappointment, stating that the ruling failed to hold officials accountable for major errors.
• Davis’s Camp declared the decision fair, maintaining that the fight was close and could have gone either way.
• Boxing Fans: Some accepted the ruling, while others continued to call for better officiating and replay review in future fights.

What’s Next? Potential Rematch on the Horizon

Despite the controversy, both Davis and Roach have expressed interest in a rematch to settle the dispute once and for all.

• Davis wants to schedule the rematch by May 2025, stating he is confident in proving he is the superior fighter.
• Roach: Openly welcomed the rematch, believing that he rightfully won the first fight and is eager to secure an official victory.

Boxing analysts believe a rematch would be massive, generating even more hype than the first fight, as both fighters now have something to prove.

The Bigger Picture: Officiating Issues in Boxing

The Davis vs. Roach controversy highlights ongoing issues in boxing regarding:

1. Lack of Instant Replay: Unlike other major sports, boxing lacks a standardized instant replay system for reviewing controversial calls.
2. Referee Accountability: Should referees face disciplinary action for major errors? The debate continues.
3. Judging consistency: Fans and analysts argue that scoring in boxing is too subjective, leading to frequent disputes.

The NYSAC has stated that it will re-evaluate its use of replay technology in future fights to prevent similar controversies.

Conclusion: A Controversial Fight with an Unfinished Story

The Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. fight will go down as one of the most debated bouts of 2025. While the NYSAC chose to uphold the draw, the controversy surrounding the ninth-round knockdown will continue to fuel discussions in boxing circles.

With a potential rematch looming, both fighters have the chance to settle the score and provide fans with the definitive outcome they were denied in the first fight. One thing is certain: this rivalry is far from over.