The New York State Athletic Commission has upheld last weekend’s Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach result, which ended in a majority draw after a controversial ninth round, according to a ruling obtained by ESPN on Friday.
Two judges scored the WBA lightweight title bout 114-114 while a third scored it 115-113 for Davis.
In Friday’s ruling, the commission said Roach’s protest was denied because “the bout continued for more than three full rounds after the referee’s no knockdown call, and because the boxers necessarily adjusted to the referee’s ruling, the referee’s call was not outcome-determinative.”
Davis, one of boxing’s top stars, took a knee in Round 9 following a series of Roach punches that landed. Referee Steve Willis correctly started to count, but when he reached three, he stopped and didn’t rule it a knockdown.
The commission’s ruling stated that “following an extensive after-the-fact review of the footage of the ninth round, that the most appropriate call … would have been for the referee to determine that Mr. Davis’ knee contacting the canvas constituted a knockdown.
“However, the determination of whether a knockdown occurred in that instance was within the discretion and authority of the referee.”
The ruling also observed that if a knockdown was called, it would be impossible to know if the final three rounds would have remained the same.
“Such conjecture would be misplaced, and setting such a precedent is not viewed by the commission as guaranteeing a correct outcome retroactively or as in keeping with the best interest of boxing,” the ruling said.
If Willis followed the rules and called a knockdown, Roach would have won via decision. Instead, the WBA junior lightweight champion settled for a draw as he attempted to become a two-weight champion in what would have represented a shocking upset. Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) was a -2000 favorite, per ESPN BET.
“Lamont and his team remain disappointed by the announced outcome and the lack of action by the commission, but grateful for the support of the boxing public,” Roach’s attorney, Gregory M. Smith, told ESPN. “Lamont is confident that a rematch will end with a victory, but until then he is the people’s champion at 135 pounds.
Davis, of Baltimore, said after the bout the reason he took a knee was because grease from a hair treatment Thursday “burned my eyes.” Davis was also allowed to have his corner wipe his eyes with a towel, which is prohibited during the round. Only the referee has the authority to halt the action.
The commission said Monday it requested video replay but a technical issue prevented it in the allotted time.
The 29-year-old Roach, of Washington D.C., remains the WBA titleholder at 130 pounds. Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) is rated No. 6 by ESPN at lightweight.
Davis, 30, is ESPN’s No. 1 lightweight and No. 8 pound-for-pound boxer.
Source: espn.com