Tank Davis ‘lost a lot of stock’ in controversial Roach bout, says former world champ

Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis might still be technically undefeated but his stock has never been lower, says former IBF, WBC and WBO lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr.

Davis emerged with a majority draw in last weekend’s bout with Roach, retaining both his unbeaten record and his WBA lightweight title — but not before a hugely controversial moment in the ninth round when Davis dropped to one knee after sustaining a blow from Roach. Under boxing’s accepted ruleset, if a fighter’s knee or gloves touches the canvas it should be ruled a knockdown and the fighter in question must have a point deducted.

However, despite initially starting a count referee Steve Willis stopped an issued a warning to Davis. The fighter later explained that he was temporarily impacted by ‘grease’ which got into his eye following a recent hairstyling. Had a point been deducted, Davis would have lost the bout under the scorecards that we announced following the conclusion of the contest.

“That’s a knockdown,” Kambosos Jr told Fight Hype of the ninth round incident. “You can’t just in the middle of the fight decide to take a knee and got to your corner to get your face wiped. “Every time I’ve been split open, literally every fight, I should be able to do the same and get away with it. It’s not fair.

“I think every judge in that round gave it a 10-9 to Tank as well I believe. I’m not sure, that’s what I heard. That and a 10-8 round, Lamont in the clear winner. He missed out on millions.

“He’s just had a draw and lost a lot of stock,” he added of Tank. “What does he have to do? Rebuild his career.”