The controversy surrounding the March 1 fight between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. in Brooklyn remains a hot topic in the boxing world. Fans and analysts are divided into two camps—those who believe the draw was the correct decision and that Davis performed well, and those who side with Roach Jr., arguing that he scored a knockdown in the ninth round and deserved the victory. With no middle ground in sight, the debate has only intensified following a recent appeal by Roach’s team.
The Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach rematch will likely happen in June.
— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) March 13, 2025
Roach’s appeal focused on a key moment in the fight when he appeared to drop Davis to one knee. The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) reviewed the appeal and acknowledged that referee Steve Willis made an error by not ruling it a knockdown. However, despite recognizing the mistake, the commission upheld the original draw, meaning the result remained unchanged. While Roach and his supporters may feel frustrated by this outcome, the decision stands.
Now, both fighters are eager for a rematch. However, pointing fingers at the referee or the commission won’t alter the past. Even after the NYSAC admitted the mistake, Gervonta Davis’ coach, Kenny Ellis, remains unconvinced that the knee should have been considered a knockdown. He maintains that Davis did nothing wrong and believes the commission made the right call.
In a recent interview with FightHype.com, Ellis was asked if he ever worried about the decision being overturned. He responded confidently, saying he never thought the draw would be changed because Davis didn’t break any rules. Acknowledging that people have differing opinions on the knee incident, Ellis shrugged off the controversy, stating, “Everybody got their own opinion. So it is what it is. That’s boxing.”
When asked about Davis’ future, Ellis remained uncertain, saying he hadn’t heard any concrete plans for the 30-year-old’s next fight. However, he made it clear that whatever Davis decides—whether it’s continuing to fight or even walking away from boxing—he will support him completely. “Whatever he decides to do, I support him. If he says I don’t want to box anymore, I’ll support it. Tank is forever great in my eyes,” Ellis said.
For now, the boxing world is waiting to see what happens next. However, a rematch seems inevitable. Talks are already in motion, with speculation that the second fight could take place as early as June. Boxing analyst Michael Woods has suggested that Las Vegas could be the host city, given its reputation for big fights, but others argue that keeping it on the East Coast—where the first fight sold out—makes more sense.
As discussions continue, fans are left to speculate: Did the NYSAC get it right, or did Roach deserve the win? And if a rematch happens, who will come out on top this time? With a potential fight night just a few months away, the excitement is only building.