Officials cite 'technical issue' for missed knockdown replay in fight

Photo : AP

The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) said on Monday that a "technical problem" stopped officials from watching an important moment in the fight between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach. This happened in the ninth round when Davis went down on one knee, but the referee, Steve Willis, did not call it a knockdown. News reports from ESPN and other sources said that if the officials had seen the replay, the result of the fight could have been different.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel  

If the knockdown had been counted, Davis would have lost a point in that round. This means Roach would have won the fight and taken the lightweight title. But because the replay was not available, the fight ended in a majority draw.

The NYSAC explained in a statement: "During the round in question, after the commission asked for the replay video, there was a technical problem that stopped the commission from receiving it on time. Because of this, the referee’s decision inside the ring was final, and the fight continued."

The moment that caused debate happened when Roach hit Davis with a jab in the eye. Davis then turned away, dropped to one knee, stood up, and leaned over the ropes so his team could wipe his eye with a towel.

After the fight, Davis said that grease got into his eye because he had his hair done earlier that week. Two judges gave Davis the round 10-9. But if the knockdown had been counted, Roach would have won it 10-8, which might have changed the final result of the fight.