Negotiations, however, stalled, and a rumored rematch date of August 16 never materialized. Roach expressed frustration when Davis announced a fight against Jake Paul instead, suggesting Davis was avoiding their agreed-upon rematch to chase a higher-profile, higher-paying bout. According to Roach, both fighters had initially signed to fight each other, raising concerns about a potential breach of contract.

Despite this, Roach has decided against pursuing legal action. Speaking on the October 14 edition of Inside the Ring, he explained: “I never said this publicly, but no, we aren’t going to go to arbitration. Because I’m very well taken care of. I’mma say that.”

Roach thanks PBC and Al Haymon for resolution

Roach also expressed gratitude for the parties that helped resolve the situation: “I publicly want to say thank you to Al Haymon, PBC, and everyone who made things right on his behalf. Even though he messed up, on his behalf, they made things right on my end.” While he did not specify the details, it appears the issue was settled financially or contractually, eliminating the need for court proceedings.

This clarification confirms that Gervonta Davis will not face litigation over the rematch issue, and Roach’s willingness to move on signals professionalism while keeping doors open for future opportunities.

Looking ahead

While legal battles are off the table, the situation may influence future negotiations in the lightweight division and PBC’s matchmaking decisions. Fans and promoters will be watching closely to see how these developments affect potential rematches or future high-profile bouts for both Roach and Davis.

Lamont Roach is not happy at all with Gervonta Davis snubbing him. After it was confirmed “Tank” would face Jake Paul, Roach took to X to express his disgust: “Told ya lol 🦆🦆🦆🦆,” he wrote, with the emojis indicating Davis had “ducked” him.

The announcement of Davis facing Paul took many by surprise. However, it seems the money offered to “Tank” was too attractive to turn down.

Will Lamont Roach face Gervonta Davis after his bout with Jake Paul?

It seems fans will have to wait a little longer for the rematch between Lamont Roach and Gervonta Davis. “Tank” will close out his year with Jake Paul in an unexpected bout no one saw coming.

Roach and Davis fought in March at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The fight ended in a draw, which is why many fans believed they would meet again this year to decide who is the better lightweight.

On Wednesday, rumors surfaced that Gervonta Davis had accepted a bout against Jake Paul, causing Roach’s immediate reaction. The reports were later confirmed when Netflix, which will be in charge of streaming the fight, announced the matchup between “Tank” and “The Problem Child.”

While Davis’ year is likely to end with the bout against Jake Paul, his rematch with Roach is not off the table. However, it will probably have to wait until 2026 due to his packed schedule.

Nothing has been confirmed yet, but Davis knows he must continue his career after the exhibition fight against Paul. The most obvious opponent is Roach—and if he refuses to face him, heavy criticism is expected to follow the unbeaten lightweight.

Why is the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis fight going to be an exhibition duel?

There is a huge weight difference between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis. Initially, the influencer was set to face Anthony Joshua in a pro bout, but both sides failed to reach an agreement, forcing him to find another rival.

Jake Paul competes in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, while Davis fights in the lightweight class. The difference is too large to be sanctioned as a professional bout, which is why it is only scheduled as an exhibition match.

The moment in question involved Davis unexpectedly taking a knee after receiving a jab from Roach, then walking to his corner where a team member wiped his face with a towel. The lack of action from referee Steve Willis—who neither ruled it a knockdown nor issued a point deduction—has come under intense scrutiny.

The ninth round has become a flashpoint in the boxing world. After taking a jab from Roach, Davis dropped to one knee without an apparent injury. Even more surprising, he stood up and walked unimpeded to his corner for assistance—an action that, according to boxing rules, could have warranted disqualification.

Referee Steve Willis, however, took no disciplinary action. He did not rule the knee as a knockdown, nor did he penalize Davis for the corner interaction. Consequently, the round was not scored 10-8 in Roach’s favor, and Davis ultimately secured a majority draw—fueling calls for a rematch.

What Mike Tyson really thinks about the controversial ninth round?

The controversy has drawn reactions from across the boxing community, most notably from heavyweight icon Mike Tyson. In an April 2 interview with Sports Illustrated, Tyson was asked whether a point should have been deducted for Davis’s actions.

“Yes, the point should have been taken away,” Tyson said bluntly. “Regardless of what was in his eye, he took a knee—should’ve got the point taken away, whatever the rule called for.”

The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) later clarified that, under its rules, Davis’s action should have been scored as a knockdown. However, it emphasized that the final ruling ultimately rested with the referee.

Implications for boxing and the anticipated Rematch

The incident has reignited broader concerns about the enforcement of rules and the integrity of officiating in professional boxing. As speculation builds over a potential rematch, fans are eager to see whether the issues from the first encounter will be addressed. The rematch, should it happen, could offer both fighters a chance to settle the score—and for boxing to restore some of its bruised reputation.

The first fight between Davis and Roach, held in March, was a closely contested battle that sparked intense debate over the judges’ decision. With the rematch on the horizon, Ryan Garcia has not hesitated to share his prediction, adding even more excitement to the upcoming clash.

The first meeting between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach was far from a walk in the park for Davis. Roach proved to be a formidable opponent, taking the fight to twelve rounds and challenging Davis in every round. One particularly controversial moment occurred in the ninth round when Davis voluntarily took a knee, but the referee did not perform the count.

The judges’ decision, with one card of 115-113 in favor of Davis and two cards of 114-114, reflected the parity of the fight. The failure to count the ninth round as a 10-8 in favor of Roach deprived him of the opportunity to be crowned the new WBA lightweight champion. Now, with the rematch scheduled for this summer, expectations are sky-high.

Ryan Garcia’s prediction

In an interview with ESNews, Ryan Garcia shared his prediction for the rematch: “I got Tank. I think he’ll put on a different gear. I think he just thought it would be easier than it was and thought Roach would fold, and he didn’t. Now he should expect a harder fight, and I think he wins the rematch.”

Garcia’s perspective, based on his own experience with Davis, adds a layer of intrigue to the matchup. He suggests that Davis underestimated Roach in their first meeting and will show a higher level of intensity and determination in the rematch.

What’s next for Davis and Roach?

Ryan Garcia’s prediction for the rematch between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach has sparked passionate debate among boxing fans. Anticipation for the matchup is high, and Garcia’s insights, rooted in his experience with Davis, add an extra element of intrigue.

The lingering question is whether Davis will be able to impose his dominance in the rematch or if Roach will redeem himself and capture the title. The rematch promises to be an exciting and controversial spectacle, with the boxing world watching closely.

Terence Crawford, one of boxing’s most respected figures, has now weighed in on the controversy. During an appearance on The Big Podcast With Shaq, Crawford shared his thoughts on Davis’ decision to take a knee.

“It should have been called a knockdown—1,000%. If you take a knee in any scenario during a fight, that’s a knockdown. I don’t know if he had grease in his eye or what, but I know he took a knee, and that should have been counted,” Crawford stated. “The referee started his count, so he definitely should have continued. I don’t understand why he stopped, but that’s something he’ll have to explain.”

Who won the fight according to Crawford?

Crawford went even further, stating that even without the knockdown, he believed Roach deserved the victory. “My honest opinion? I thought Roach won without the knockdown. It was a close fight, and both fought a good technical fight,” Crawford said.

“They were countering each other and knew each other well, but I thought Roach was the busier and sturdier fighter. I felt he landed more shots than Tank. Tank controlled the middle rounds, but Roach edged out the early rounds due to Tank’s inactivity. In the final rounds, I thought Roach showed he wanted it more.” Crawford added.

Rematch confirmed and Crawford’s Future

The controversy surrounding their first bout has led to an immediate rematch, set for this summer. According to Roach’s promoter, the fight is a “fait accompli”. Fans eagerly anticipate the rematch, wondering if Roach can capitalize on his performance and secure an undisputed victory.

Meanwhile, Crawford has his own major challenge ahead. In September, he will jump two weight classes to face super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. This fight marks a significant leap for Crawford, and his ability to handle the weight jump will be a key factor in his performance.

The decision comes after days of exhaustive analysis of the fight, which was marked by a ninth-round incident that sparked significant debate. Despite acknowledging that the correct decision would have been to count a knockdown when Davis touched the canvas with his knee, the NYSAC argued that the final decision rests with the discretion of the referee.

“Following an extensive after-the-fact review of the footage of the ninth round, [we determined] that the most appropriate call … would have been for the referee to determine that Mr. Davis’ knee contacting the canvas constituted a knockdown,” the commission’s ruling stated. “The determination of whether a knockdown occurred in that instance was within the discretion and authority of the referee.”

The incident in question occurred on March 1, when Davis touched the canvas with his knee after a series of punches from Roach. Referee Steve Willis initiated a count but stopped it midway, allowing Davis to return to his corner, where his team wiped his face before the fight continued.

Davis and Roach’s impact on careers

The NYSAC’s decision has significant implications for the careers of Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach. For Davis, the decision allows him to retain his title and maintain his undefeated record. For Roach, the decision represents a missed opportunity to secure a major win and claim the title from Davis. The key question is how this decision will impact future fights and the public’s perception of boxing as a whole.

Canelo Alvarez’s reaction

The decision not to count the knockdown became a major point of contention, with prominent figures such as Canelo Alvarez arguing that the result should have been reversed in Roach’s favor. “He take a knee. You need to lose like 10-8 that round, at least,” Alvarez said on Hot 97’s “Ebro in the Morning”. “And plus the corner go up and put a towel in [his] face, that’s disqualification, for sure. I’m talking about the rules.”

The controversy stems from an incident in the ninth round at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, where Davis intentionally dropped to one knee, claiming that grease from his hair was burning his eyes. Referee Steve Willis ruled it a slip rather than a knockdown, despite acknowledging that the action “looks like a fall.”

The NYSAC attempted to review the incident using instant replay but encountered a technical issue that prevented them from accessing the footage in time.

“During the round in question, following the commission’s request for the replay video, there was a technical issue preventing the commission from receiving it within the allotted time for review,” a NYSAC spokesperson said according to The New York Post. “Therefore, the referee’s in-ring decision was relied upon, and the fight continued.” Had the knockdown been correctly ruled, the majority draw would have likely turned into a victory for Roach, crowning him the new lightweight champion.

Promoter slams NYSAC inaction

Promoter Lou DiBella criticized the NYSAC’s handling of the situation, calling it unacceptable: “They should have acted, and they shouldn’t even have needed replay; the rules are what they are, and what occurred was obvious,” DiBella said. “The referee made a big mistake, and it was compounded by the inaction of the Commission.”

NYSAC promises improvements

In response to the controversy, the NYSAC released a statement vowing to address the issue: “The commission is dedicated to preserving the integrity of combative sports and is committed to working with all promotions and production teams — on behalf of the athletes, officials, and fans — to ensure technical issues do not occur in the future that prevent the delivery of ringside instant replay feeds to the commission’s officials when needed.”

Calls for decision to be overturned

While overturned decisions in boxing are rare, they are not unprecedented. For example, Ryan Garcia’s victory over Devin Haney at Barclays Center was overturned due to a failed doping test for the banned substance ostarine.

Garcia even took to social media to weigh in on the Davis-Roach controversy, writing on X: “Nothing against Tank, but since the commission switched my victory, they should switch this victory for Roach.”

A broader debate on accountability

The incident has sparked a broader debate about accountability and transparency in boxing, particularly in cases where technical errors or questionable refereeing decisions significantly impact fight outcomes. Roach and his supporters have every right to feel frustrated, and the ongoing investigation will be crucial in determining whether justice is served.