Gervonta “Tank” Davis’ latest fight was supposed to be another showcase of his dominance. Instead, it left the boxing world divided, with many questioning both the result and Davis’ future in the sport. Facing Lamont Roach at Barclays Center, Davis was expected to cruise to victory as an overwhelming favorite. But after 12 grueling rounds, the judges delivered a majority draw, a verdict that immediately sparked outrage among fans and analysts alike.

The controversy stems from a critical moment in the ninth round when Davis, under little apparent distress, took a knee and walked to his corner. Referee Steve Willis did not administer a count, an unusual decision that effectively negated what should have been ruled a knockdown for Roach. Had the knockdown been called, Roach would have gained a crucial point on the scorecards—enough to secure a historic victory and dethrone Davis as WBA lightweight champion.

Instead, Davis was gifted a draw, and Roach was left with nothing to show for a performance that could have been career-defining. The WBA, publicly defended the referee’s actions “From our perspective, Willis’ decision was not unreasonable or unjustifiable. He ruled in real-time that Davis had not been struck by a punch before going down, and therefore, no knockdown should be recorded.

“Judges, by regulation, must follow the referee’s rulings—they do not have the authority to override his decisions on knockdowns. Some skeptics have suggested that Willis’ call benefited Davis unfairly, but we do not subscribe to that notion.

“In our long experience judging fights, we see no evidence of favoritism—only a referee prioritizing the physical safety of a fighter who appeared compromised by an eye injury.” The inconsistency only fuels speculation that Davis continues to benefit from favorable decisions, adding to his reputation for avoiding the most dangerous fights available. Davis said post-fight that he wanted his corner to wipe away grease from his braids that had gotten into his eyes drawing boos from the Barclays Center crowd.

Davis’ career, once built on highlight-reel knockouts and an aura of invincibility, now faces growing skepticism. Critics argue that his recent opposition has been strategically selected to minimize risk rather than challenge his abilities. With top contenders eager for a shot, the question now looms: who will Davis fight next? Will he silence his doubters by stepping up against a truly elite opponent, or will he continue to take the safer route?

One thing is certain—if Davis wants to maintain his status as one of boxing’s premier attractions, he needs to erase any doubt about his legitimacy. And the only way to do that is by taking on the kind of fights that leave no room for controversy.