GERVONTA DAVIS blamed greasy hair product for touching the canvas against Lamont Roach – despite escaping a knockdown.
Davis was taken the full 12 rounds and walked away with his WBA lightweight title and undefeated record after a controversial draw.
Gervonta Davis blamed greasy hair product for touching the canvas against Lamont Roach
Davis touched the canvas but a knockdown was not scored
But the biggest talking point of the night was not the scorecards, it was the drama that unfolded in round nine.
Roach landed a jab on Davis and the champion paused – but after a delayed reaction he touched the canvas with his knee.
Touching down with the knee or glove is an automatic count and point deduction.
But referee Steve Willis allowed Davis into his corner to get his face wiped down by coaches – to the confusion of everyone watching on.
Davis later faced boos from the crowd when he claimed hair product dripping into his eye caused the reaction.
“I just got my hair done two days ago and she put grease in my s***,” Davis said.
“So the s*** was like sweating and things like that and the grease coming in my my face.
“It burned my eyes type s***, yeah. Damn, why y’all booing like I’m saying bulls***?
“Like, this is real facts. Come on, man. Look at my hair, I just got my s*** done.
“But it’s all cool, man. You know how it get. They love you, then they hate you. Turn around then they love you again.”
One judge scored the bout 115-113 in favour of Davis while the other two had it 114-114 to result in a majority draw.
But had Roach’s knockdown rightly have been scored then he would have walked away with a split-decision win.
“If you voluntarily take a knee and the ref start counting, it should be a knockdown,” Roach said.
“If that’s a knockdown, I win the fight. So, I mean, it is what it is. I’m not, I’m not banking on that knockdown to win. I just thought I pulled it out.”
Unbeaten four-division champion Terence Crawford, 37, claimed Roach was robbed of victory.
If that’s a knockdown, I win the fight. So, I mean, it is what it is. I’m not, I’m not banking on that knockdown to win. I just thought I pulled it out.
Lamont Roach
“They robbed that boy and it’s crazy,” he posted online.
“I never seen someone take a knee and they don’t count it as a knock down. Must of forgot the rules for tonight.”
Reporter Steve Mannix said Davis was fortunate not to be disqualified.
Texting with three veteran boxing referees. All agree: The knee should have been called a knockdown,” Mannix said.
“One noted that Tank could have been disqualified for getting his face wiped by his corner.”
Both men called for a rematch with Davis wanting to do it back in New York after the Barclays Center draw.
“We can run it back for sure,” he said.
“Bring it back to New York. Let’s do it again. Let’s have a rematch back in New York. Let’s do it again, baby.”
GettyDavis touched the canvas but escaped a knockdown being scored[/caption]
GettyDavis got his face wiped by coach Calvin Ford[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
