When Gervonta Davis stepped into the ring at the Barclays Center on Saturday he was expected to walk away with his title and reputation intact. The reigning WBA lightweight champion was a 12-to-1 betting favorite against Lamont Roach Jr. and many expected this to be another easy W for Davis. But once the bell rang, Roach demonstrated why he has 10 KO wins to his name. The WBA super featherweight champion went toe-to-toe with his more decorated opponent and at one point had him on his knees- quite literally. However, a contentious call meant Davis stumbled, tumbled, and staggered his way to a majority decision draw, which put a dent in his perfect boxing record. While he retained the title in New York, Roach Jr. had proven that the “Tank” could be overturned.

The boxing world heavily criticized the outcome, believing the referee Steve Willis should’ve called a knockdown when Davis took a knee in the ninth round. This would’ve awarded the round 10-8 in favor of Roach Jr. and he would’ve subsequently won the fight. Terrance Crawford called it a “robbery” and others alleged the bias when it comes to Davis. Now, as the possibility of a rematch looms, Jaron Ennis’ father, Bozy Ennis talked about why the referee may have been swayed in giving Davis some leeway during the fight.

It was a single decision by referee Steve Willis that stopped Roach Jr. from becoming the first man to hand Davis a defeat. In the ninth round, Roach fired off a nasty combination. One of these stray shots landed on Davis. Moments later, the 30-year-old dropped to his knees, but immediately after, he got up, ran to his corner, and poked his head out of the ropes. Calvin Ford, his trainer, quickly wiped his face, and Davis came back to the ring. Willis did start the count but stopped in the middle and let Davis off with a warning. According to Bozy Ennis, Davis holds too much of an influence to have such a decision go against him. 

told YSM Sports Media on Tuesday.

However, it is unlikely that it will happen, making the scenario of a rematch a strong possibility, especially after Davis himself called for it. Going by Bozy Ennis’s words, Roach Jr. might have to overcome more than just the fighting odds against him when they square off again.

While Bozy clearly feels it should have been a knockdown, his son has a slightly different outlook on the fight.

Jaron Ennis claims Gervonta Davis won the Lamont Roach Jr. fight

IBF welterweight champion Jaron Ennis has come to Gervonta Davis’ defense amid controversy surrounding his fight against Lamont Roach Jr. Many, including Terence Crawford, believe Roach deserved the win, especially after Davis took a knee in the ninth round—an action Crawford criticized, saying, “I never seen someone take a knee, and they don’t count it as a knockdown.”

However, Ennis disagrees with the backlash. “It was a great fight. I had it 7-5 Tank or you can make it a draw,” he told YSM Sports Media. He also believes people are unfairly discrediting Davis. “I feel like people just don’t like Tank… Just because he ain’t knock him out, they feel like he probably lost.”

That being said, it appears Jarron Ennis and Bozy Ennis have contrasting opinions of the Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach fight. It goes without saying that the incident clearly showed Davis’ sway in the boxing community, but the question is, do you agree with it?