Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. fought to a controversial majority draw on March 1 at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. The WBA lightweight title bout drew the second-largest crowd ever at the venue, with 19,250 people in attendance.
The fight ended in controversy when referee Steve Willis didn't give Davis a mandatory count after he voluntarily knelt down, claiming something was in his eye. This decision sparked criticism and accusations from many in the boxing world.
The New York State Athletic Commission acknowledged the referee's mistake. However, they decided to keep the fight result unchanged. This decision only made fans and critics more upset.
While the in-ring action was contentious, the economic side of the event painted a different picture. In today's boxing world, financial success is just as crucial as what happens in the ring. It often helps ease the pressure after controversial fights.
Rick Glaser reported on his X account:
"The Tank Davis fight against Lamont Roach in PBC achieved just under 150,000 PPV purchases"
However, rumors suggest the actual number might be between 500,000 and 550,000 buys. At $80 per view on Prime Video, the event was a financial success for TGB Promotions, Premier Boxing Champions, and the boxers.
These numbers look good compared to Davis' previous fight against Rolly Romero, which pulled in 275,000 buys. The strong economic performance might help soften the blow of the controversial ending, but it won't erase the questions surrounding the referee's decision and the unchanged result.
