Knockdown or not and how Gervonta Davis “tricks” in his fight against Lamont Roach Jr.

The boxing world is no stranger to controversies, but few have sparked as much debate as Gervonta “Tank” Davis’ questionable knockdown moment in his recent fight against Lamont Roach Jr. The incident—where Davis appeared to voluntarily drop to one knee before running to his corner—left fans, analysts, and even the referee questioning whether it should be considered a knockdown.

The fight, held at the Barclays Center, was already an anticipated showdown, with Roach Jr. looking to prove himself against the undefeated Davis. However, the ninth round took an unexpected turn when Davis suddenly took a knee without any apparent direct hit. Referee Steve Willis, known for his animated expressions and strict adherence to boxing rules, was quick to issue a warning: “You do that again, and I’m calling it a knockdown.”

So, was this a tactical move, a genuine reaction, or a clear violation of boxing rules? Let’s break it all down.

What Actually Happened in the Ninth Round?

As the ninth round progressed, Roach Jr. pressed forward aggressively, throwing a series of calculated punches, trying to corner Davis. While Roach Jr. didn’t land a visibly damaging shot, Davis unexpectedly dropped to one knee, signaling what many believed to be a tactical “time-out” maneuver rather than an actual knockdown.

What made the situation even more controversial was Davis’ immediate reaction—instead of engaging with Roach Jr. or waiting for a referee count, he ran toward his corner and had his team wipe his face, citing that something—possibly hair product or sweat—had gotten into his eyes.

At that moment, referee Steve Willis began his count, reaching two before hesitating and ultimately deciding not to rule it as a knockdown. His reasoning? No clear punch landed to force Davis down.

However, many boxing experts, fans, and even professional fighters disagreed with that ruling.

The Boxing World Reacts: Was It a Knockdown?

Terence Crawford Speaks Out

Former undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford didn’t hold back, calling the moment a clear knockdown. In an interview with TalkSport, Crawford stated:

“If you take a knee in the middle of a fight, that’s a knockdown. Simple as that. No excuses.”

Crawford further argued that Davis taking a knee voluntarily was not only a strategic move to avoid an attack but also a potential rule violation that should have counted against him on the scorecards.

Claressa Shields and Other Fighters Weigh In

Female boxing champion Claressa Shields echoed Crawford’s thoughts, tweeting:

“Roach should’ve been credited for that knockdown. That’s the rule. If you go down voluntarily without a punch, that’s still a knockdown. So what’s the deal?”

Even Shakur Stevenson, another rising star in boxing, called it a “bad look” for Davis, saying:

“Tank is my guy, but that looked really suspect. Roach should be mad, real mad.”

Breaking Down the Official Rules: Should It Have Been a Knockdown?

Understanding the Marquess of Queensberry Rules

Modern boxing rules, often referred to as the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, clearly define a knockdown as a situation where:

1. A fighter is knocked to the canvas due to a legal punch.
2. A fighter voluntarily takes a knee or goes down and does not immediately continue.

While Davis was not visibly hit before taking a knee, the second rule states that a voluntary knee, without an immediate attempt to continue fighting, is considered a knockdown.

Under these guidelines, referee Steve Willis should have ruled it a knockdown, adding an extra point to Roach Jr.’s score for that round.

Why Did Davis Take a Knee? His Explanation

After the fight, Davis addressed the controversy, claiming that his reason for going down was hair product or sweat dripping into his eyes, momentarily impairing his vision.

“I couldn’t see, man. My hair product, the sweat, got into my eyes, and I just had to clear it up. That’s why I went to my corner real quick,” Davis explained in the post-fight press conference.

While his explanation may be valid, the issue remains: should a fighter be allowed to take a knee to adjust themselves without consequence?

Did Davis Use a Tactical Move to Avoid an Attack?

Some boxing analysts believe that Davis’ decision to go down was a deliberate tactic rather than a genuine issue with his vision.

• Avoiding a Counterattack: Roach Jr. was pressing forward aggressively, and taking a knee stopped Roach’s momentum.
• Breaking the Rhythm: By pausing the action, Davis was able to reset the fight and regain control.
• Manipulating the Rules: Some believe he may have been testing the referee’s response, knowing he might not be penalized.

This wouldn’t be the first time a fighter has used the rules to their advantage. Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, and Bernard Hopkins have all used clever defensive tactics to slow down opponents. However, taking a knee without a knockdown call is rare and controversial.

How Did the Decision Impact the Fight?

Ultimately, Davis’ momentary break did not lead to a knockdown ruling, and he went on to finish the fight strong. However, this one moment may have changed the outcome:

• If Willis had counted it as a knockdown, Roach Jr. would have earned an extra point, possibly giving him the victory.
• Without the knockdown, Davis maintained control of the scorecards.
• Fans and analysts now question the referee’s consistency in enforcing boxing rules.

What’s Next? Will There Be a Rematch?

With controversy surrounding the fight, many believe a rematch between Davis and Roach Jr. is necessary.

Roach Jr., in his post-fight interview, stated:

“I did everything I needed to do to win that fight. That was a knockdown. I should’ve gotten the point. Run it back!”

Davis, on the other hand, seemed less eager to commit to a rematch, saying:

“I won the fight. Ain’t no need to run it back. I’m looking for bigger fights.”

However, with pressure from fans, analysts, and even other fighters, the demand for a Davis vs. Roach Jr. rematch is growing stronger.

Final Thoughts: Did Gervonta Davis Get Away with One?

At the end of the day, boxing is a sport where every moment counts, and the ninth-round controversy will go down as one of the most debated moments in recent history.

• If you believe Davis’ explanation, it was an unfortunate incident that shouldn’t count against him.
• If you believe the boxing rulebook, then Roach Jr. should have been awarded a knockdown.

Either way, the controversy has left an asterisk on Davis’ record. Will this moment tarnish his legacy? Or will he step up for a rematch to settle the debate once and for all?

Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure—this is a fight that the boxing world won’t forget anytime soon.