Gervonta Davis isn’t mincing words about the recent Isaac Cruz vs. Lamont Roach Jr. draw: ‘He lost, plain and simple,’ Davis declared, leaving no room for ambiguity. But here’s where it gets controversial—while the judges called it a draw, Davis insists Roach was lucky to escape with his reputation intact. Let’s break it down.
On Saturday night in San Antonio, Cruz and Roach Jr. clashed in a bout that ended in a split decision draw, leaving fans and pundits divided. Davis, who has faced both fighters in the past, didn’t hold back on X, sharing his unfiltered take. ‘They’re only celebrating that draw to keep him relevant,’ Davis said, referring to Roach. ‘His a** lost [to Cruz].’
Davis’s history with these fighters adds an intriguing layer to his critique. In 2021, Cruz became just the second fighter to take Davis the distance, though he ultimately lost by unanimous decision after 12 grueling rounds. Meanwhile, earlier this year, Roach handed Davis the first non-win of his career in a controversial draw, despite Davis appearing to dominate the fight. And this is the part most people miss—Davis believes Roach’s luck ran out against Cruz, labeling him a ‘gatekeeper’ rather than a true contender.
Roach’s decision to jump up another weight division to challenge Cruz for the WBC Interim super-lightweight title raised eyebrows, especially after a third-round knockdown nearly sealed his fate. Yet, the judges saw it differently, sparking debate across the boxing world. Davis, however, isn’t buying it. He’s already hinted at a rematch with Cruz, suggesting a move up to 140lbs once he recovers from a knee injury.
But here’s the real question: Is Davis’s criticism fair, or is he downplaying Roach’s resilience? While a second fight between Roach and Cruz seems more likely given Davis’s recent inactivity and apparent lack of motivation for top-tier bouts—highlighted by his canceled exhibition with Jake Paul—Davis’s words carry weight. After all, he’s one of the sport’s biggest stars. Still, Roach’s ability to hang with the best, even if it’s just for a draw, can’t be ignored.
What do you think? Did Roach truly lose, or did the judges get it right? And is Davis’s ‘gatekeeper’ label justified, or is he underestimating Roach’s potential? Let us know in the comments—this debate is far from over.
