Gervonta Davis kept his WBA lightweight title after a majority draw with Lamont Roach Jr. The fight ended with controversy when the referee didn't count a knockdown in the ninth round.
During that round, Davis went down to one knee after Roach landed a jab. The referee, Steve Willis, didn't count it as a knockdown. Davis said he kneeled because grease from his hair got in his eye.
After the fight, Roach claimed it was a takedown. There were rumors that his team would sue to change the result. But Roach cleared things up on social media.
I haven't sued anyone. We filed an appeal, which means not having a team that doesn't pull the trigger for something they know is wrong. They defended me. So all that lawsuit shit can be put aside.
The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) looked into what happened. They said the referee made a mistake, but it didn't change the outcome of the fight.
Roach wasn't happy with NYSAC's decision. He told Gary Jonas on the Pro Box TV podcast:
I'm not surprised by the NYSAC's decision. I'm a little disappointed, yes. Especially when he acknowledged the fact that Steve made the wrong decisions in the ninth round. But I wasn't counting on the fight being overturned. Everyone knows I won the fight and I'm satisfied with that.
The contract says there must be an immediate rematch. Roach plans to work harder for the next fight. He said:
I have to work harder. I have to train harder. I have to be more ruthless. I have to be more physical. I have to do a lot.
Roach wants to win the belt from "Tank" Davis in their next match. He'll need to step up his game to beat the champ and take the title.
