Gervonta 'Tank' Davis Is No Longer Perfect

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Gervonta “Tank” Davis has long been regarded as one of boxing’s most dominant and explosive fighters. With a perfect record of 30-0 coming into his latest bout, his reputation as a knockout artist was nearly untouchable. However, on March 1, 2025, the unthinkable happened—Davis’s flawless record took its first blemish when his fight against Lamont Roach Jr. ended in a majority draw.

This fight, which many expected Davis to dominate, instead turned into one of the most controversial moments in recent boxing history. From a disputed ninth-round incident to questions about Davis’s performance, the aftermath of the fight has left fans, analysts, and even boxing officials divided.

So, what really happened in this fight? And what does it mean for Davis’s legacy moving forward?

Pre-fight Expectations: A One-Sided Matchup?

Gervonta Davis: The Knockout King

Gervonta Davis entered the fight as one of the most feared punchers in the sport. With an astonishing 93% knockout rate and a history of dismantling opponents with his devastating power, most expected him to make short work of Lamont Roach Jr.

Davis’s aggressive fighting style, exceptional hand speed, and ability to finish fights made him the overwhelming favorite. His previous victories over elite fighters—including Ryan Garcia, Leo Santa Cruz, and Rolando “Rolly” Romero—solidified his reputation as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Lamont Roach Jr.: The Underdog with Nothing to Lose

Lamont Roach Jr. came into the fight as a heavy underdog. A former WBA super featherweight champion, Roach was moving up in weight to challenge Davis for his WBA lightweight title.

With a modest 37% knockout rate over 27 fights, Roach was not known for his power, leading many to believe he wouldn’t be able to handle Davis’s relentless offense. However, those who followed Roach’s career closely knew he possessed elite technical skills, defensive discipline, and incredible composure—all attributes that could give Davis problems if the fight extended into the later rounds.

The Fight: A Shock to the System

Early Rounds: Roach Stays Composed

From the opening bell, Davis wasted no time trying to assert his dominance. He pressed forward aggressively, looking to land his signature power shots. Roach, however, displayed remarkable composure, keeping a tight guard and using slick footwork to avoid taking unnecessary damage.

While Davis clearly won the first few rounds with his pressure and heavier punches, Roach was far from overwhelmed. He consistently landed clean counterpunches, frustrating Davis and making it clear that he wasn’t there just to survive—he was there to win.

Middle Rounds: A Competitive Battle

As the fight progressed into the middle rounds, something unexpected happened—Roach began to outland Davis in certain exchanges. While Davis remained the aggressor, Roach’s accuracy and ring IQ kept him competitive.

The crowd, initially expecting a Davis blowout, started to realize they were witnessing something much closer than anticipated. Roach was not only surviving—he was actively challenging the champion.

The Ninth-Round Controversy

Then came the most controversial moment of the fight—the ninth-round incident that would change the narrative of the bout.

Midway through the round, Davis unexpectedly dropped to a knee, prompting confusion among the audience and commentators. The referee paused the action but did not rule it as a knockdown.

Davis later claimed that grease from his hair had dripped into his eyes, impairing his vision and forcing him to take a knee. Roach, however, argued that his punches had caused Davis to go down and that it should have been ruled as a legitimate knockdown.

With no official knockdown recorded, the round remained highly debated, fueling arguments over whether Davis had received preferential treatment from the referee.

Final Rounds: A Fight Too Close to Call

With the fight heading into the championship rounds, both fighters knew the outcome was still uncertain.

Davis, realizing the fight was closer than expected, picked up the pace, landing some of his most powerful shots of the night. Roach, however, continued to respond with precision, making it clear he would not fade under the pressure.

As the final bell rang, there was a sense of uncertainty in the arena. Had Davis done enough to win? Or had Roach pulled off the unthinkable?

Judges’ Decision: A Controversial Draw

When the scorecards were announced, the boxing world erupted.

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

With two judges ruling it a draw, the fight officially ended in a majority draw, allowing Davis to retain his WBA lightweight title—but also stripping him of his perfect record.

The reaction was immediate. Many fans and analysts believed Roach had done enough to win, particularly if the ninth-round incident had been ruled a knockdown. Others felt Davis had done enough to edge out a narrow victory.

Aftermath: Reactions and What’s Next

Gervonta Davis: “We Need to Run It Back”

In his post-fight interview, Davis acknowledged that the fight was tougher than expected but maintained that he felt he won.

“I’m still the champ. I don’t think there was any doubt about that. But if people want to see it again, let’s run it back,” Davis stated.

While Davis remains undefeated, the draw has raised questions about his performance and whether his power alone is enough to keep him at the top of the lightweight division.

Lamont Roach Jr.: “That Was a Knockdown”

Roach, while respectful, made it clear that he felt he won the fight.

“That ninth round was a knockdown. Everybody saw it. I landed the shot, and he went down. If the ref had called it right, I would be champion right now,” Roach said.

Roach’s stock has skyrocketed after this fight. Whether he gets an immediate rematch or moves on to another title opportunity, one thing is certain—he has cemented himself as an elite lightweight.

Boxing World Reacts

The boxing community remains divided over the result.

Analysts like Max Kellerman argued that Roach should have been awarded the decision, especially given the ninth-round controversy.
Promoters like Eddie Hearn called for instant replay to be implemented in boxing to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Fans on social media debated fiercely, with some defending Davis and others insisting that Roach was robbed of a career-defining victory.

The Future of Gervonta Davis

While Davis remains the champion, the draw has exposed potential weaknesses that future opponents may look to exploit.

Potential Rematch with Roach?

Given the controversy, an immediate rematch between Davis and Roach is highly likely. The WBA may even order a mandatory rematch given the nature of the result.

Other Possible Opponents

If Davis decides to move past Roach, there are several major fights that could be on the horizon:

Shakur Stevenson: A super fight between two of the most skilled boxers of this generation.
Devin Haney: A unification bout that could determine the undisputed lightweight king.
Teofimo Lopez: A showdown between two explosive punchers.