The controversy surrounding Gervonta “Tank” Davis’ majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1, 2025, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn took a dramatic turn Tuesday when Davis’ coaching team, led by Calvin Ford, broke their silence, revealing the behind-the-scenes reason behind the fight’s contentious outcome. In an exclusive interview with *ESPN*, Ford and his staff insisted the draw was justified, attributing it to a critical tactical decision in the ninth round—Davis’ knee—and called for a rematch with the rallying cry, “Run it back!” The revelation has reignited debates on X, with fans and analysts weighing in on whether the lightweight title should stay with Davis or shift to Roach.
The fight, a WBA lightweight title defense for Davis, ended in a 115-113 score for Davis and two 114-114 draws, preserving his 30-0-1 record. However, the ninth-round incident—when Davis took a knee, claiming grease from his braids burned his eyes, and referee Steve Willis controversially ruled it a non-knockdown—has dominated headlines. Many, including Roach’s camp, argue the call cost Roach, now 25-1-2, a split decision victory, with CompuBox stats showing Roach outlanding Davis 112-103. The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) is reviewing the decision, but Davis’ team is standing firm.
Calvin Ford, Davis’ longtime coach and mentor, told *ESPN*, “We knew the grease in Tank’s hair was a problem from the fourth round—his vision was compromised, and we had to adapt. That knee in the ninth wasn’t a surrender; it was a strategic move to reset and protect him. Ref Willis made the right call—no punch landed, so it wasn’t a knockdown. Tank fought through pain, and the draw reflects a fair fight. But we want to run it back to settle this once and for all.” Ford’s assistant, Kenny Ellis, added, “Lamont’s tough, but Tank was breaking him down in the later rounds. The grease threw us off, but we adjusted—Roach didn’t win, and we’re ready to prove it again.”
The “Run it back!” call echoes Davis’ own post-fight comments, where he told *The Ring*, “Hopefully we can run it back for sure. Let’s bring it back to New York and have the rematch for sure. I think I pulled it off with the last three rounds—I was catching him with some clean shots.” Davis, 30, has remained defiant, insisting his eye injury was legitimate and his performance warranted at least a draw, if not a win. His $5 million purse, compared to Roach’s $200,000, has fueled speculation about bias, but Ford dismissed such claims, saying, “This isn’t about money—it’s about respect and clearing up the controversy.”
Posts on X reflect the polarized reaction, with #RunItBack trending alongside #RoachRobbed. “Tank’s coaches are delusional—Roach outboxed him, and that knee was a clear knockdown,” tweeted @BoxingTruth2025, while @TankNation2023 countered, “Ford’s right—Davis fought through injury, and the draw was fair. Rematch time!” Boxing analysts like Timothy Bradley on *SportsCenter* weighed in, saying, “Ford’s explanation makes sense tactically, but fans saw Roach’s dominance. The NYSAC needs to act, or this rematch will be massive.”
Roach’s camp, led by trainer Calvin Ford (coincidentally sharing the same name), slammed the revelation, with Ford telling *ESPN*, “Tank’s team is spinning this to save face. That knee was a knockdown, and Willis robbed us. Lamont won, and we’re demanding justice—not a rematch to let Tank fix his mistakes.” Roach himself posted on X, “Run it back? I already beat you, Tank. Fix the refs, not the fight. #RoachJustice.”
The NYSAC’s review, ongoing since March 2, is expected to conclude within two weeks, but the coaches’ comments have heightened the stakes. The WBA, which oversees the title, has defended Willis’ non-call, stating, “We see no evidence of favoritism—Willis prioritized safety in real-time.” However, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza’s call for a rematch contrasts with the organization’s stance, deepening the divide.
Davis’ team believes the grease issue, which Ford described as “unavoidable” due to a pre-fight hair styling mishap, was the key factor in the draw. “We told the commission about it, but it’s hard to fight blind,” Ford said. “Tank’s resilience got us the draw, but we want Roach back in the ring to settle this definitively.” The revelation has also raised questions about pre-fight preparation, with some fans on X suggesting Davis’ team should have anticipated the grease issue.
As the lightweight division hangs in the balance, “Run it back!” has become a rallying cry for both camps, though for different reasons. Davis’ coaches see it as a chance to reaffirm his dominance, while Roach’s team views it as an opportunity to claim the title they believe was stolen. Posts on X continue to flood in, with #RunItBack reaching over 3 million interactions, signaling the fight’s lasting impact.
Stay tuned for updates on X under #RunItBack, as this coach-driven revelation could force a rematch or reshape the WBA lightweight title picture in 2025. This saga is far from over.
