The highly anticipated fight between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach at Barclays Center in Brooklyn ended in a split draw—a decision that has sparked fierce reactions from fans, analysts, and, most notably, fellow fighters. While the ring action was intense and hard-fought, the controversial decision left many questioning the integrity of the scoring and the accuracy of the judges. Some fighters were quick to voice their opinions, and the reactions ranged from anger to disbelief, with some even accusing the outcome of being unfair.

Accused of Cheating by Terence Crawford, Gervonta Davis Breaks Silence on  Taking a Knee vs Lamont Roach Jr - EssentiallySports

Here’s a roundup of how fighters from around the boxing world reacted to the Davis-Roach draw, with several calling out what they saw as a clear injustice.

“He Cheated,” Says Rival Boxer

One of the most heated reactions came from Ryan Garcia, one of Gervonta Davis’ biggest rivals in the lightweight division. Garcia, who’s had a longstanding public rivalry with Tank, didn’t hold back in his criticism of the draw.

Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. purses and payouts: Gervonta Davis vs.  Lamont Roach Jr. purses and payouts: How much are the boxers making for the  world title fight? Estimated and previous

“That was a robbery,” Garcia tweeted after the fight. “Roach clearly won that fight. Tank was outboxed, outsmarted, and couldn’t land clean shots for most of the night. The judges need to get their eyes checked—he [Davis] didn’t deserve a draw. Roach put on a clinic, no doubt about it.”

Garcia, known for his own lightning-fast hands and sharp boxing skills, was vocal in his belief that Lamont Roach’s technical brilliance deserved to be recognized, and he wasn’t the only one to call out the decision.

Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. Purse and Payouts: Estimated Earnings  for the Boxers Revealed Ahead of Brooklyn Event - The SportsRush

Devin Haney Weighs In: “Tank Has Work To Do”

WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney, who has been linked to a potential mega fight with Gervonta Davis, also weighed in on the controversial result. Haney, who has been praised for his boxing IQ and defensive prowess, saw things similarly to Garcia.

“Look, Tank is dangerous, but you gotta give credit where credit’s due,” Haney said in a post-fight interview. “Roach was in control of that fight for most of the rounds. I don’t know about the draw, to be honest. Tank couldn’t find his rhythm, and Roach was just too smart. Gervonta has some things to work on before he gets in the ring with me or any other top contender.”

FIGHT Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach - Epic Promo - YouTube

Haney’s comments suggested that Davis might not be as ready for the elite fighters in the lightweight division as many had thought. He also hinted that Davis’ reputation for knocking out opponents with ease might have been misleading, as he struggled to land those big shots against Roach.

Shakur Stevenson Calls Out “Injustice”

Shakur Stevenson, the former featherweight champion and rising star in the sport, didn’t mince words either. Stevenson, known for his sharp boxing skills and tactical approach, took to social media to voice his outrage.

Tank Davis Vs. Lamont Roach Official Fight Poster For December 14th -  Latest Boxing News Today

“That’s an injustice, plain and simple. Roach clearly outboxed Tank,” Stevenson tweeted. “Gervonta couldn’t adjust, and they gave him a draw? They’re robbing fighters like Lamont Roach. This is why we need to start holding the judges accountable. There’s no way that was a draw.”

Stevenson’s reaction reflected a widespread sentiment that Roach was the true winner of the fight, and the draw was a glaring mistake in the eyes of many fighters who feel the sport’s judging system often misses the mark. As a fighter who has mastered the art of outboxing his opponents, Stevenson’s critique hit hard, as it suggested that a talented fighter like Roach didn’t get the recognition he deserved.

Gervonta 'Tank' Davis to fight Lamont Roach on March 1 in Brooklyn

Gervonta Davis Reacts: “I’ll Be Back”

In the aftermath of the fight, Gervonta Davis himself responded to the controversy, staying calm but determined to continue his journey. While some of his peers took aim at the decision, Tank was less concerned with the outcome and more focused on his growth.

“Some people may not agree with the decision, but I’m not going to make excuses,” Davis said in the post-fight presser. “I know I didn’t have my best night, but I’m going to learn from it and come back stronger. Roach was a good fighter tonight, but I’ll fix what went wrong. I’ll be back.”

Three possible opponents for Gervonta Davis after defeating Frank Martin |  DAZN News CA

Davis’ acknowledgment of his shortcomings was a rare moment of introspection. While many were quick to blame the judges, Tank knew deep down that the fight hadn’t gone his way and that improvements were needed if he was to keep his position as one of the top fighters in the division.

Floyd Mayweather Defends His Fighter: “Tank Will Adjust”

Floyd Mayweather, who has been a mentor to Gervonta Davis, also spoke up in defense of his fighter, offering a calm but firm perspective on the controversial draw. Mayweather, known for his strategic approach to the sport, downplayed the criticism, stating that Davis’ experience would allow him to improve.

Gervonta 'Tank' Davis Is Set to Return to the Ring in December Clash  Against Lamont Roach

“You can’t win them all, and tonight wasn’t Tank’s night,” Mayweather said. “But Tank is a fighter who learns from every experience, and he will adjust. We’ve been through this before, and he’ll be back better. Roach fought a good fight, but I know my fighter, and I know what’s next for him.”

Mayweather’s confidence in Davis’ ability to bounce back helped temper some of the heat coming from the boxing community. While Tank may have struggled, the legendary champion was quick to remind everyone that Gervonta’s career was far from over, and that a setback like this wouldn’t define his future.

Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach Jr. - La WBA accepte le combat - Boxemag.com

Lamont Roach Responds: “I Won That Fight”

On the flip side, Lamont Roach was understandably frustrated by the draw, though he handled the situation with professionalism. Roach had performed brilliantly, outboxing Davis for most of the fight, and many believed he had done enough to earn a unanimous decision.

“I know I won that fight,” Roach said post-fight. “I outboxed him, outsmarted him, and I did everything I needed to do to win. I’ve been in this game long enough to know when I’ve earned a victory, and tonight, I showed I belong at the top of this division. No one can tell me otherwise.”

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Roach’s reaction reflected the disappointment many fans shared, as he believed the draw was a result of bad judging rather than a bad performance on his part. His comments echoed the frustration felt by many who saw the fight as a clear win for him.

Conclusion: The Fallout from the Draw

The aftermath of the Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach draw has sparked intense debate throughout the boxing world. Fellow fighters, including Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Shakur Stevenson, were quick to criticize the decision, with some accusing the judges of failing to recognize Roach’s superior boxing skills. Meanwhile, Gervonta Davis’ team acknowledged their fighter’s struggles, promising that adjustments would be made for future bouts.

 

The controversy has ignited calls for reform in the sport’s judging system, with many fighters and fans demanding more consistency and fairness in how decisions are made. Whether or not Davis’ next fight will see him learn from his mistakes remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain—Lamont Roach earned a lot of respect with his performance, even if the official scorecards didn’t reflect it.

As for the future, expect the call for a rematch to get louder, with Davis and Roach both hungry for redemption and eager to prove who the true victor is in their next meeting.