Referee Steve Willis was criticized for not counting out the WBA lightweight world champion when he took a knee in the ninth round. Had Willis done so, the challenger would have won 114-113 on the two cards and he would have been the new world champion today.
"From our point of view, referee Steve Willis' decision was not unreasonable. He decided in real time that Davis did not receive a punch before taking a knee and therefore the knockdown should not be recorded," reads a statement from the World Boxing Association.
"The rules clearly state that if a boxer voluntarily takes a knee, the referee automatically gives him a count to eight. He started to count but suddenly stopped. On the other hand, I was convinced that even without the knockdown I deserved to win. I controlled the fight, threw more punches and landed more powerful, power punches," stated Lamont Roach.