Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis has hinted that his fresh braids might have cost him the match against Lamont Roach Jr. at the Barclays Center on Saturday. The WBA lightweight champion, who had an unblemished record before this fight, was expected to continue his winning streak.
However, the bout ended in a majority draw, marking the first setback in Davis’ career. A pivotal moment occurred in the ninth round when Davis took a knee voluntarily, but referee Steve Willis did not count it as a knockdown and let the fight proceed with just a warning.
Davis’ decision to get his hair braided just two days prior to the fight seemed to play a role in the outcome. He struggled with grease from the braiding process getting into his eyes, which affected his performance.
After the fight, Davis explained: “I just got my hair done two days ago and she put grease in my s—. When you are sweating and s— like that, the grease came into my face and it burnt my eyes.”
Despite some boos from the crowd, Davis defended his comments, saying: “Yo why you all booing like I’m talking b—–? Look at my hair, I just got my s— done.”
Speaking after the fight, Davis added: “I didn’t want to get caught while my eyes was burning. And you can’t get knocked out like that. So I’d rather take the knee.
“But I didn’t really know that you can, like, get the disqualified for all that. When [Willis] started counting, I’m like, “What the hell?
Gervonta Davis took a knee during the fight (
(Image: Getty))
Loach was outraged by the ruling, letting loose: “It should have been a knockdown,. If that was knockdown, I win the fight. He’s saying grease got in his eye, but if he takes a knee and the ref starts counting, it should be a knockdown. It is what it is. I’m not banking on that knockdown to win. I just thought I pulled it out.
“Gervonta is a great fighter. I thank him for the opportunity to show all the people that were doubting me, all the fake boxing media and fans talking s—. That s— got flipped upside down. Even though I didn’t win tonight, I thought I did, but it’s a win for me in my book, but we are not satisfied with that. We need a real W.”
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