“IT’S A BIG ROBBERY!” Terence Crawford and Shakur Stevenson Make Shocking Statements After Davis Was Nearly Knocked Out by Lamont Roach
The boxing world is reeling from a firestorm of outrage and disbelief following Gervonta “Tank” Davis’ controversial majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. at Barclays Center on Saturday night, with two of the sport’s biggest stars, Terence Crawford and Shakur Stevenson, unleashing scathing statements that have amplified the controversy. Citing Davis’ near-knockout in the ninth round—where he took a knee but was controversially not ruled a knockdown—both fighters called the decision “a big robbery,” igniting a social media explosion and demands for justice in the lightweight division.
The 12-round WBA lightweight title fight, broadcast live on SHOWTIME PPV, saw Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) retain his belt by a 115-113, 114-114, 114-114 scoreline, but the outcome has been met with widespread condemnation. Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs), the WBA super featherweight champion moving up to challenge for the lightweight crown, dominated much of the bout with precise jabs, body shots, and relentless pressure, outlanding Davis 112 of 400 punches to Davis’ 103 of 279, according to CompuBox stats. The turning point came in the ninth round, when Roach landed a vicious uppercut, forcing Davis to take a knee and claim grease from his braids was impairing his vision. Referee Steve Willis ruled it a slip, not a knockdown—a call that has become the epicenter of the uproar.
In the post-fight press conference, Terence Crawford, the undefeated three-division world champion with a 41-0 record (32 KOs), didn’t mince words. “This is a big robbery, plain and simple,” Crawford told *The Ring*, his voice laced with frustration. “Tank took a knee, and everyone saw it—he was hurt, and Lamont outboxed him all night. Those judges and that ref handed Gervonta a gift. Roach deserved that win, and this decision tarnishes boxing’s integrity.” Crawford, a frequent critic of controversial decisions, suggested the draw was influenced by Davis’ star power and PPV draw, adding, “If this was anyone else, they’d be calling it what it is—a travesty.”
Shakur Stevenson, the former lightweight champion with a 22-0 record (10 KOs) and a vocal rival of Davis, echoed Crawford’s sentiments on X, posting, “It’s a big robbery! Lamont Roach schooled Tank, and that ninth-round kneel should’ve been a 10-8. Davis got bailed out—boxing’s a joke sometimes.” Stevenson’s tweet, which garnered over 1.5 million likes and 800,000 retweets within hours, has fueled the #RoachRobbed hashtag, now trending globally with more than 3 million mentions. In a follow-up interview with *ESPN*, Stevenson elaborated, “Davis was on his way out in that round. Roach had him figured out—speed, technique, heart. This draw stinks, and it’s a slap in the face to Lamont.”
The ninth-round controversy has become the focal point of the backlash. Video replays, widely shared on X, show Davis taking a knee after Roach’s uppercut, his face contorted in pain as Willis waved off the moment, allowing Davis to retreat to his corner for a wipe-down. Fans and analysts argue the referee’s call cost Roach a critical 10-8 round, potentially swinging the fight in his favor. “It’s clear as day—Davis was knocked down, and Willis ignored it,” tweeted @BoxingFanatic2025, a sentiment echoed by thousands. Others slammed Davis, with posts like, “Tank’s lucky he didn’t get KO’d—Roach exposed him tonight,” and “This is why boxing’s losing credibility.”
Roach, visibly frustrated but defiant in the post-fight press conference, said, “I felt I won this fight. I hurt him in the ninth, and everyone saw it. That wasn’t a slip—it was a knockdown, and I should’ve gotten the decision. I’m not leaving here satisfied with a draw—I want a rematch.” Davis, on the other hand, stood by his performance, telling reporters, “Lamont fought hard, but I did enough to keep my title. The grease in my eye threw me off, but I’ll be back stronger. Let’s run it back.”
The reactions from Crawford and Stevenson have added fuel to the fire, elevating the controversy into one of the most divisive moments in recent boxing history. Crawford, who has been linked to a potential mega-fight with Davis, suggested the draw protects Davis’ marketability, saying, “They’re keeping Tank’s 0 intact for the PPV numbers, but it’s a disservice to Roach and the fans.” Stevenson, known for his own contentious draw against Oscar Valdez in 2022, took the opportunity to call out Davis directly, posting, “You got lucky, Tank. Next time, it’s me in the ring, and there won’t be any judges to save you.”
On X, the boxing community is split but vocal, with #RoachRobbed trending alongside #DavisDraw. Fans of Roach praised his performance, with one user writing, “Lamont outworked and outsmarted Tank—Terence and Shakur are right, this is a robbery.” Davis’ supporters, however, defended the champion, arguing, “Tank’s still the king—Roach didn’t do enough to take his title.” The debate has drawn in other fighters, with Deontay Wilder tweeting, “Roach had Davis hurt, no doubt. That ninth round was a travesty—boxing needs better refs.”
The draw has significant implications for the lightweight division. Davis, still technically undefeated but with a draw on his record, faces increased scrutiny about his form after a lackluster performance, while Roach’s stock rises as an underdog who nearly toppled a superstar. Both fighters have called for a rematch, with PBC reportedly in talks to schedule a second bout in late 2025, possibly in Las Vegas or Saudi Arabia. The outcome could also impact Davis’ rumored fights with Shakur Stevenson or Keyshawn Davis, as his aura of invincibility has been dented.
Referee Steve Willis and the judges have come under fire, with critics labeling the ninth-round call as “incompetence” and “a disgrace to boxing.” Analysts like Max Kellerman of *ESPN* argued, “That non-knockdown decision was the difference. Roach deserved at least a 10-8 round, and it could’ve swung the fight his way.” The World Boxing Association (WBA) has launched a review of the fight, with potential appeals from Roach’s camp on the table.
As the boxing world digests this polarizing result, the outcry from Crawford, Stevenson, and fans underscores a growing frustration with controversial decisions in the sport. “It’s a big robbery,” as Crawford put it, has become the rallying cry for those demanding justice for Roach and transparency in boxing’s scoring system. This draw has not only left the lightweight division in flux but also ignited a movement that could reshape the future of the 135-pound crown.
Stay tuned for updates as the fallout continues, with real-time reactions and analysis available on X under #RoachRobbed. The shocking statements from Crawford and Stevenson ensure this story will dominate headlines, challenging the integrity of one of boxing’s most electrifying nights.