Davis vs Roach: Dan Rafael Reveals NY Commission’s Knockdown Controversy Response

On March 1, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Gervonta Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) vs Lamont Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) was the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card available through Prime Video or PPV.com. Davis vs Roach ended in a majority draw with scorecards of 115-113 for Davis and 114-114 x2. In the ninth round of the fight, Davis took a knee following three unanswered punches from Roach before retreating to his corner to have his face wiped.

Following an abandoned count by referee Steve Willis, the fight continued, with many left confused. On the latest Big Fight Weekend/Fight Freaks Unite podcast, Dan Rafael has revealed what the New York State Commission told him about that controversial moment in round nine.

Davis vs Roach: Dan Rafael Talks Knockdown Controversy

Rafael Reveals What NY State Commission Told Him about Davis vs Roach

Dan explained that in New York State, they can check replays at boxing fights to check certain scenarios, such as knockdowns. He then revealed: “I talked to people today who are in the production truck, who are dealing with this, and I asked them to explain to me what the mechanism by which the replay official would get the information and visa versa.

“So, the way that works is they’re on a headset, and when they need to see something, they can hit the button or whatever, and there’s a replay producer in the truck that they can ask or an assistant, and they will send them the replay on their monitor at ringside.”

Davis vs Roach: Trouble with Technology

“And I was told by the commission when I spoke to somebody from the commission that they were having trouble in the undercard fight(s) getting the replay sent to them properly. Now, go back to my conversation with the people on the truck. They said to me that the replay official asked for the replay. They sent the replay, and that was the end of it.

“So I said, did anybody check what happened? What he saw. Why he didn’t call that? He said: ‘We were just told that they weren’t making any decisions about it, and it was what it was.’

“I was left with the impression that absolutely the replay officials saw the replay and decided were not going to do anything about this.”

To hear all what Dan Rafael and TJ Rives had to say regarding the controversy from Davis vs Roach, please press the play button below.

Davis vs Roach: Commission Conversation

Rafael then revealed that during a conversation with the commission, he was told: “They continued to have problems with the technology, and he (replay referee) never actually got the replay within that 3 1/2 minute time.”

He added: “They acknowledged that when they looked at it, it was a knockdown.”

The controversy and fallout from Davis vs Roach, particularly round nine, feel like they’re just beginning. Stay tuned for what comes next.