The boxing world has been thrown into chaos following the controversial outcome of the Gervonta “Tank” Davis vs. Lamont Roach fight, now dubbed the “Hair Grease” heist. The latest development has seen the president of the World Boxing Association (WBA) express his outrage over the officiating, demanding an immediate rematch to rectify what many are calling a major injustice.
The fight, which ended with Davis securing a unanimous decision victory, has been mired in controversy since the final bell. Fans and analysts quickly pointed out questionable officiating, with a particularly contentious moment coming in the middle rounds when an apparent knockdown against Davis was ruled a slip. Replays suggested Roach had landed a clean punch that sent Davis to the canvas, but the referee refused to acknowledge it, a decision that ultimately influenced the judges’ scoring.
As the uproar intensified, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza broke his silence, condemning the officiating in no uncertain terms. “This was an embarrassment to the sport,” Mendoza stated during a heated interview. “The referee’s incompetence robbed fans of a fair contest. We cannot allow this kind of officiating to taint boxing’s reputation. A rematch must happen.”
Mendoza’s frustration stems from growing accusations that the referee’s decisions disproportionately favored Davis, an issue that has sparked renewed debates over boxing’s integrity. Social media erupted with criticism, with some calling the fight a “heist” that robbed Roach of his moment. Others pointed out that this was not the first time controversial judging had overshadowed a high-profile fight.
Davis, who initially dismissed the backlash as mere excuses, was later drawn into the controversy when he took to social media to claim that the referee had actually been biased against him. “EXPOSED! He was cheating the whole time to help Roach!” Davis wrote in a fiery post. The claim added fuel to an already raging fire, with fans now divided over whether Davis was the beneficiary or the victim of poor officiating.
Lamont Roach, for his part, has remained vocal about his belief that he was unfairly denied victory. “I fought my heart out. I know I won that fight,” he stated in the post-fight press conference. “The people saw what happened. The world saw what happened. We need a rematch, plain and simple.”
The controversy has placed immense pressure on boxing officials to address concerns over refereeing standards. Many are now calling for an independent review of the Davis vs. Roach bout, with some suggesting that the referee should face disciplinary action. Promoters and industry insiders acknowledge that the fallout from this fight could have long-term repercussions on how high-stakes bouts are officiated in the future.
Mendoza’s demand for a rematch has set the stage for what could be one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year. If the WBA pushes forward with its stance, Davis may have no choice but to step back into the ring with Roach sooner rather than later. However, Davis’ camp has not yet committed to a rematch, with his team maintaining that the victory was legitimate and undisputed.
As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear: the controversy surrounding the “Hair Grease” heist is far from over. Whether through an official investigation, a referee suspension, or a high-stakes rematch, the boxing world is demanding answers—and justice for what many consider one of the sport’s biggest officiating blunders in recent memory.
