After a surprising majority was drawn into a lightweight title match between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach Jr., the New York State Athletics Commission cites the “technical issue” of the false ruling, which should be scored as a knockdown.
Davis fell to one knee at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in the ninth round on Saturday, allowing him to retreat to the corner and wipe his face. However, referee Steve Willis gave Davis a pass despite taking his knee and saying it “seems like a knockdown.”
“During the round of question, there was a technical issue that prevented the committee from receiving it within the time allocated for review, in accordance with the committee's request for a replay video,” a spokesperson for the New York State Athletics Board said. “Therefore, decisions within the umpire ring depended on, and the fight continued.”
If knockdowns were scored correctly in the ninth round, the majority of draw scoring would have won because Roach and the new lightweight champion crowned the crown.
“The committee is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of combat sports and is working with all promotional and production teams on behalf of athletes, officials and fans to ensure that no technical issues will arise that will hinder the supply of instant replays at ringside, if necessary,” added a statement from the NYSAC.
Davis was a massive favourite of -2000 in the fight. It was a bet that should have been lost as his record moved to 30-0-1.
All apologies are fine, but the cost of that umpire mistake and subsequent “technical issues” is the biggest underdog victory in boxing history and the current featherweight champion, his second world title.
Boxing promoter Lou Dibera posts that omissions from the committee are not acceptable and that they should overturn the decision.
“They should have acted and they shouldn't need replays. The rules were what they were and it was clear what happened,” Divera said. “The judge made a major mistake, which was exacerbated by the committee's inaction.”
There is a precedent that boxing will overturn victory, but these are usually due to drug tests that have failed.
Boxing Lightning Rod Ryan Garcia defeated Devin Haney in the Barclays, but the New York State Athletics Board overturned that victory with a failed drug test for the drug Ostarine, which improves performance.
Garcia sought a decision to be overturned by X's post.
“There's nothing against the tank, but since the committee switched my victory, they should switch this victory to cockroaches,” he wrote.
Dibella went on to say that the overturned victory would not happen here, but that's right.
“No…but they should,” DiBella said when asked if the NYSAC would give Roach the title.
