Did Tank Lose?

That is what everyone seems to think about it!

On March 1, 2025, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, boxing fans witnessed a night that promised fireworks but delivered controversy instead. Gervonta “Tank” Davis, the WBA lightweight champion with an unblemished record of 30-0 (28 KOs), faced off against Lamont Roach Jr., the WBA super featherweight titleholder stepping up to 135 pounds with a record of 25-1-1 (10 KOs). What unfolded was a 12-round battle that ended in a majority draw, leaving the boxing community divided, frustrated, and buzzing with debate.

The Build-Up: A Clash of Confidence

Davis, known for his devastating knockout power and elusive style, entered the ring as a massive favorite—odds as high as -2000 suggested a routine title defense. Roach, however, brought a different narrative. A former sparring partner of Davis from their amateur days, Roach touted his superior ring IQ and tenacity, claiming he’d be a puzzle “Tank” couldn’t solve. The stage was set for an intriguing showdown: the hard-hitting phenom against the skilled underdog.

The Fight: A Slow Burn Turns Explosive

The bout started cautiously, with both fighters feeling each other out. Davis, true to form, adopted a measured approach, using the early rounds to gauge Roach’s movement and timing. Roach, meanwhile, relied on his jab and footwork, aiming to disrupt Davis’s rhythm. Punch stats later revealed Roach threw 121 more punches than Davis over the fight, outlanding him slightly in total punches and jabs (15 more), though Davis edged him in power shots by 6.

The first half saw Davis land heavier blows, particularly to the body, while Roach countered effectively, occasionally backing “Tank” up with sharp hooks and rights. By the middle rounds, the pace picked up. Roach’s aggression began to shine, landing combinations that surprised the crowd and visibly tested Davis’s adaptability—something rarely seen against the Baltimore native.

Then came the ninth round—a moment that would define the night. Early in the stanza, Roach connected with a jab, prompting Davis to inexplicably drop to a knee and walk to his corner. His team wiped his face, and Davis later explained that grease from his braids had irritated his eyes. Referee Steve Willis, however, did not call it a knockdown, despite appearing to start a count before halting it. The fight resumed without penalty, a decision that stunned observers. Had it been ruled a knockdown, Roach might have edged the scorecards.

Roach seized the moment, unloading a barrage of left hooks, uppercuts, and body shots that had the Brooklyn crowd roaring. Davis, though rocked, stayed composed, firing back with flurries in the later rounds as he chased the knockout that never came. Roach closed strong, outlanding Davis 16-9 in the 12th, cementing a performance that defied the odds.

The Verdict: Controversy Unleashed

The final bell rang, and the scorecards read: 115-113 for Davis, 114-114, and 114-114—a majority draw. Davis retained his WBA lightweight title, but the result sparked outrage. Many, including ringside analysts and fighters like Terence Crawford and George Kambosos Jr., insisted Roach had done enough to win. The uncalled knockdown loomed large; with it, two judges’ scores could have tipped to Roach, potentially making him the victor by majority decision.

Critics lambasted Willis’s oversight, arguing that boxing’s rules don’t permit self-imposed timeouts. “Tank” taking a knee “should’ve been a knockdown,” Roach said post-fight, though he graciously added, “I’m not banking on that to win.” Davis, booed by a once-adoring crowd, shrugged off the controversy, hinting at a possible break from the sport rather than addressing a rematch.

The Fallout: What’s Next?

The draw left Davis’s aura of invincibility dented. His record stands at 30-0-1, but the performance was far from dominant. Roach, now 25-1-2, emerged as a moral victor, proving he belongs among the elite. Calls for a rematch are loud, though Davis’s camp remains noncommittal.

Statistically, the fight was close—nine rounds separated by three or fewer landed punches—but Roach’s activity and resilience stole the narrative. For a sport often marred by questionable decisions, this night added fuel to the fire. Was Roach robbed? Did Davis get a gift? The debate rages on, but one thing is clear: March 1, 2025, will be remembered as the night Lamont Roach nearly toppled a titan—and the judges wouldn’t let him.

According to both fighters a rematch is already in the works, who wins the rematch? We will be discussing this and more on Vinny’s Corner Wednesday evening.

You can follow me @vinquezada1 or @vinnyscorner1 on 𝕏.

By Vincent Quezada

Photos courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions