Two of the judges scored the fight even despite many believing the massive underdog had done enough to win
A controversial non-knockdown call proved to be the difference in Saturday night's clash between WBA lightweight champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. In the end, Roach -- a heavy underdog -- managed to will his way to a majority draw and an unsatisfying moral victory.
Davis was passive for much of the fight, with Roach outlanding him over the course of 12 rounds, though Davis had a slight edge in power punches landed.
The pivotal point of the fight came in Round 9, with Roach connecting with a jab and Davis moving forward before taking a knee and walking to his corner where his team wiped him down. Despite the knee coming after a punch landed, the referee decided to not call a knockdown.
After 12 rounds, the final scorecards read 115-113 for Davis and two even cards at 114-114. CBS Sports scored the fight 116-113 for Roach. Had the clear knockdown been called, Roach would be the new WBA champion. Instead, the fight ended in an unsatisfying draw.
CBS Sports was with you throughout the entire way on Saturday with the live results and highlights below.
Fight card, results
- Gervonta Davis (c) vs. Lamont Roach Jr. ends in majority draw (115-113, 114-114, 114-114)
- Gary Antuanne Russell def. Jose Valenzuela (c) via unanimous decision (119-109, 119-109, 118-110)
- Alberto Puello (c) def. Sandor Martin via split decision (115-113, 113-115, 116-112)
- Yoenis Tellez def. Julian Williams via unanimous decision (118-110, 117-111, 119-109)
Gervonta Davis (c) vs. Lamont Roach Jr. -- Round 12: 10-9 Roach (116-113)
Roach threw a nice flurry to the body. Roach landed a counter left hook. Roach dug in with two to the body and a hard left hook. Davis landed to the body but Roach landed another good shot. Davis missed an uppercut that could have finished things. Roach with another counter right hand. Davis connected with a right hand and Roach connected with one of his own followed by a left. Davis avoided Roach in the final moments. I can't believe it but I have Roach winning this fight.
Gervonta Davis (c) vs. Lamont Roach Jr. -- Round 11: 10-9 Roach (106-104)
Roach continued to fire good right hand counters. Davis landed a left hand but Roach came right back with a few good left hands. Roach dug to the body with a left hand. Roach landed an uppercut and a hook. Roach landed a right hand and then another right and a left hand. Davis whipped a left to the body. Another left hand landed for Roach as Davis was warned for a low blow. Davis connected with a good counter jab. Roach landed tow to the body and then a good flurry upstairs. Both men traded shots with Roach seeming to get the better of it.
Gervonta Davis (c) vs. Lamont Roach Jr. -- Round 10: 10-9 Davis (96-95 Roach)
Davis flashed a few good punches before Roach landed a jab. Roach landed an uppercut and then a left hook. Roach pushed forward with a flurry, one of the punches getting in. Roach landed to the body with a left hok and then a hard left hand. Roach's right hand landed and then a flurry. Davis connected with a body shot and then an uppercut. Davis connected with two lefts to the body before a Roach jab.
Jose Valenzuela (c) vs. Gary Antuanne Russell -- Round 7: 10-9 Russell (69-64)
Both men had some moments in early exchanges with Valenzuela's back against the ropes. Russell connected to the body and then upstairs with a right hook. Russell continued to push forward, put Valenzuela along the ropes and unload with the better shots. Valenzuela hadn't adjusted to the pressure and Russell landed a heavy uppercut. Valenzuela fired back with a few shots, but without enough power to get Russell to back off.
0 Comments