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, issuing harsh statements that have amplified the controversy. Citing Davis’ near-knockout in the ninth round (where he took a knee but it was not ruled a knockdown), both fighters called the decision “a huge robbery,” sparking an explosion on social media and demands for justice in the lightweight division.

In the 12-round WBA lightweight title fight airing live on SHOWTIME PPV, Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) retained his belt by a score of 115-113, 114-114, 114-114, but the result has been met with widespread condemnation. Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs), the WBA super featherweight champion who moves up to challenge for the lightweight crown, dominated much of the fight with accurate jabs, body shots and relentless pressure, outlanding Davis with 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 brutal uppercut, forcing Davis to his knees and claiming the grease from his braids was impairing his vision. Referee Steve Willis ruled it a slip and not a knockdown, a decision that has become the epicenter of the uproar.

At the post-fight press conference, Terence Crawford, the undefeated three-division world champion with a record of 41-0 (32 KOs), did not mince his words. “This is a big robbery, plain and simple,” Crawford told *The Ring*, his voice thick with frustration. “Tank took a knee and everyone saw it – he was hurt and Lamont outboxed him all night. Those judges and that referee gave Gervonta a gift. Roach deserved that win and this decision tarnishes the integrity of boxing.” Crawford, a frequent critic of controversial decisions, suggested the draw was influenced by Davis’ star power and the pay-per-view draw, adding: “If it was anyone else, they would call it what it is – a sham.”

Shakur Stevenson, the former lightweight champion with a record of 22-0 (10 KOs) and a vocal rival of Davis, echoed Crawford’s sentiments on X, posting: “That’s a huge steal! Lamont Roach taught Tank a lesson, and that knee in the 9th round should have been a 10-8. Davis got bailed out, boxing is a joke sometimes.” Stevenson’s tweet, which garnered more than 1.5 million likes and 800,000 retweets in a matter of hours, has fueled the hashtag #RoachRobbed, which is now trending globally with more than 3 million mentions. In a follow-up interview with *ESPN*, Stevenson explained: “Davis was on his way to elimination in that round. Roach had it 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 him to retreat to his corner to be cleaned up. Fans and analysts argue that the referee’s decision cost Roach a critical 10-8 round, potentially tilting the fight in his favor. “It’s clear as day: Davis got knocked down and Willis ignored him,” tweeted @BoxingFanatic2025, a sentiment shared by thousands of others. Others criticized Davis, with posts like, “Tank is lucky he didn’t get knocked out; Roach exposed him tonight” and “This is why boxing is losing credibility.”

Roach, visibly frustrated but defiant at the post-fight press conference, said: “I felt like I won this fight. I hurt him in the ninth round and everyone saw that. It wasn’t a slip, it was a knockdown and I should have gotten the decision. I’m not leaving here satisfied with a draw, I want a rematch.” Davis, on the other hand, defended his performance, telling reporters: “Lamont fought hard, but I did enough to keep my title. The grease in my eye put me off, but I’ll come back stronger. We’re going to get 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 megafight with Davis, suggested the draw protects Davis’ marketability, saying: “They’re keeping Tank’s 0 intact for PPV numbers but it’s a disservice to Roach and the fans.” Stevenson, known for his own controversial draw against Oscar Valdez in 2022, took the opportunity to call out Davis directly, posting: “You got lucky Tank. Next time, it’ll be me in the ring and there won’t be any judge to save you.”

On X, the boxing community is divided but vocal, with #RoachRobbed trending alongside #DavisDraw. Roach fans praised his performance, with one user writing: “Lamont outworked and outsmarted Tank; Terence and Shakur are right, this is a robbery.” However, Davis supporters defended the champion, arguing: “Tank is still the king; Roach didn’t do enough to take his title from him.” The debate has involved other fighters, with Deontay Wilder tweeting: “Roach hurt Davis, no doubt. That 9th round was a farce; boxing needs better referees.”

The draw has major implications for the lightweight division. Davis, technically still unbeaten but with one draw on his record, faces increased scrutiny over 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 fight in late 2025, possibly in Las Vegas or Saudi Arabia. The result could also impact Davis’ rumored fights with Shakur Stevenson or Keyshawn Davis, as his aura of invincibility has taken a hit.

Referee Steve Willis and the judges have come under fire, with critics calling the ninth-round decision “incompetence” and “a disgrace to boxing.” Analysts such as Max Kellerman of *ESPN* argued: “That no-knockdown decision was the difference. Roach deserved at least a 10-8 round, and it could have swung the fight in his favor.” 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 steal,” 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 a state of flux, but it has 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 reaction and analysis available on X under #RoachRobbed. Shocking statements from Crawford and Stevenson ensure this story will dominate the headlines, testing the integrity of one of boxing’s most electrifying nights.