Stephen A's Take: 'Robbed': Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach controversy — 'Tank's knee no-call sets off boxing world."

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show Episode: Stephen A's Take: 'Robbed': Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Controversy — 'Tank's Knee No-Call Sets Off Boxing World
Release Date: March 5, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves deep into the controversial boxing match between Javante "Tank" Davis and Lamont Roach. The fight, which concluded in a majority draw, has sparked widespread debate within the boxing community and among fans. Stephen A. provides his unfiltered analysis, offering critical insights into the fight's pivotal moments, the fighters' performances, and the broader implications for both athletes' careers.

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The Controversial Moment: Davis Takes a Knee

Timestamp: [01:06]

Stephen A. Smith opens the discussion by addressing the shocking moment late in the ninth round when Javante Davis took a knee, exiting the ring with his team. This unexpected action left fans and commentators questioning the legitimacy of the draw decision.

Notable Quote:

"Tank Davis took a knee, got up, walked to the corner, had his face wiped and tamed right back. I'm believing him."
— Stephen A. Smith [02:15]

Stephen acknowledges Davis's explanation that external factors, such as excessive grease in his hair leading to eye irritation, played a role in his decision to take a knee. He emphasizes Davis's undefeated record (30-0 with 28 KOs) and questions any negative sentiments towards the fighter, suggesting that criticisms are unfounded.

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Lamont Roach's Performance Under Scrutiny

Timestamp: [02:22]

Transitioning to Lamont Roach's role in the match, Stephen A. critiques Roach's strategy and performance. Despite being the underdog, Roach displayed formidable skills, maintaining pressure and displaying defensive prowess that challenged the expectations set by Davis's reputation.

Notable Quote:

"Lamont Roach can fight, and he's beautiful defensively as well, and seemed completely unfazed and undeterred by Tank Davis, a knockout artist."
— Stephen A. Smith [03:10]

Stephen highlights Roach's relentless approach from the opening bell, noting his consistent pressure and ability to land significant punches. He commends Roach for stepping up against a favored opponent and holding his own throughout the bout.

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Evaluating Gervonta Davis's Decisions and Career Moves

Timestamp: [04:00]

Stephen A. shifts focus to Gervonta Davis, expressing confusion over Davis's decision to move up weight classes and take fights against opponents like Roach, whom he deemed too small and challenging for Davis's capabilities.

Notable Quote:

"Why would you take that fight? He was a featherweight champion. You are lightweight. What the hell is going on?"
— Stephen A. Smith [04:45]

He questions the strategic moves in Davis's career, pondering why Davis would engage in matches that may not align with his established strengths. However, Stephen also acknowledges Davis's professionalism and willingness to take rematches, showcasing his commitment to improving and proving himself.

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The Call for an Apology and a Rematch

Timestamp: [05:15]

Delving into the aftermath of the fight, Stephen A. calls for respect towards Lamont Roach, suggesting that the boxing community owes Roach an apology for not recognizing his performance during the match. He underscores the importance of acknowledging Roach's skills and the impact of the controversial draw decision.

Notable Quote:

"All of us got to stand down and give Lamont Roach an apology."
— Stephen A. Smith [05:30]

Furthermore, Stephen advocates for an immediate rematch between Davis and Roach, foreseeing the potential for Roach to emerge as a prominent figure in boxing should he secure a victory in a subsequent bout.

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Future Implications for Boxing

Timestamp: [06:00]

Concluding the discussion, Stephen A. reflects on the broader implications of the fight's outcome for the sport of boxing. He envisions a future where Roach could become a household name, especially if he triumphs in a rematch against Davis. Stephen emphasizes the need for matchups that truly test the fighters' abilities and provide fans with compelling contests.

Notable Quote:

"Lamont Roach. Remember that name. Because if he beats Javante Tank Davis in a rematch, he will instantly become a household name."
— Stephen A. Smith [06:20]

He reiterates the importance of fair and competitive fights in elevating the sport's profile and ensuring that athletes are matched in ways that showcase their true potential.

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Conclusion

Stephen A. Smith's analysis of the Davis vs. Roach fight sheds light on the complexities and controversies that often surround high-stakes boxing matches. By highlighting both fighters' performances and questioning the decisions made leading up to and during the fight, Stephen provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the event's significance. His call for respect towards Lamont Roach and the advocacy for a rematch underscore the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the boxing world.

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Note: The timestamps correspond to the segments of the transcript where the respective discussions occur.

Transcript

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Now let's get to boxing, where many fans were stunned Saturday night after Javante Tank Davis left Barclays center with a majority draw against Mr. Lamont Roach. For those that don't know, the undefeated Davis was a heavy favorite against Roach. And and many fans were stunned when Davis took a knee in the middle of the ninth round and retreated to the corner to have his team wipe his face with a towel. Now, taking a knee in fight. In a fight is usually scored as a knockdown and you should have been scored that way. It should have been scored that way. However, the fight continued without Roach being credited with knocking down Davis. Here's how Davis explained the move during the post fight interview. Listen up, Tank. You voluntarily took a knee midway through this fight. It was not ruled a knockdown. What happened?

[Javante Davis]

I just got my head done two days ago and she picked grease in my. So the was like, you know, like when you sweating and things like that and the grease come in my. My face, it burnt my eyes type damn, why y'all, boy, like I'm saying, like this is real facts. Come on, man, look at my hair. I just got my done but it's all cool, man. You know I, you know I get they, they love thinking they hate you. Turn around. I love you again. You know what I mean?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Well, as it pertains to javante Tank Davis. When the hell has anybody been hating on you, he's 30 and 0 with 28 KOs. Who the hell was hating on Javante Davis? Am I missing something? It certainly wasn't anybody that I've seen in media or whatever. And I know that sounds like a excuse to a lot of people. You know, you got your hair done and she put too much grease in the hair and all of this other stuff. But it's Tank Davis. So guess what, ladies and gentlemen, I'm believing him. You're 30 and 0 with 28 KOs. He took a knee, got up, walked to the corner, had his face wiped and tamed right back. I'm believing him. I didn't see him hurt or anything like that. I get that part. I saw him hurt when he got popped with a counter from Lamont Roach and he stumbled backwards because he got hit with a shot while throwing a punch in an earlier round. So I'm certainly not going to do that. Here's the important point to mention. All of us got to stand down and give Lamont Roach an apology. I thought that brother was going to get beat down because I saw a dude that was a bantamweight champion. I said, why are you moving up to fight this guy? Why is Javonte Davis taking this fight? This guy's too small. What the hell is going on? He was a featherweight champion. You are lightweight. What the hell is going on? Why would you take that fight? I didn't understand it. What I didn't know is that once Lamont Roach stepped into the ring, he would be the bigger fighter. What I didn't know is that once he was in the ring and he looked like the bigger fighter, he fought like the bigger fighter. Because, ladies and gentlemen, from opening bell, he walked right to Javante Davis, walked right to him and stayed in his face all night long. If he backed up at all, ladies and gentlemen, it was 5% of the time. The other 95% of the time, he walked right to Javonte Davis. Javonte Davis caught him with some good shots. He took it and then gave it back. Body punches, counter punches, left hook, straight rights. This brother Lamont Roach can fight, and he's beautiful defensively as well, and seemed completely unfazed and undeterred by Tank Davis, a knockout artist. And I'll give Javonta Davis credit for this. Usually when a champion who is undefeated, who gets in a fight like that, finds himself with a majority draw, with people questioning whether or not he legitimately won, it's usually the promoters and the audience that's calling for a rematch. Gervonta Davis, who had been alluding to retirement, immediately said, let's do it again. Let's get it going. No problem at all. I give him credit for that because guess what? I wanted to see Javante Davis versus Shakur Stevenson. I wanted to see him against Tali Lomachenko. I wanted to see him against Ryan Garcia in a rematch. I wanted to see him against Teofimo Lopez. Ladies and gentlemen, none of them deserved a shot ahead of a rematch for Lamont Roach. None of them. And check out Lamont Roach's tweets. I don't know. He said, f you meaning F you mean pushing my contract, already signed and set for the immediate rematch. Because you put that in there just in case you lost. Only reason we don't fight is because you scared. Javante Davis comes back two hours later and say no more. I'm pushing for the rematch. This is what we love when it comes to boxing. This is what we love to see. It's me against you, baby. And next time. You know what? Maybe I ain't gonna say Javonte Davis wasn't ready. He looked pretty ready to me. It's just that Lamont Roach was ready. We didn't see this brother, y'all. We've seen him now. Lamont Roach. Remember that name. Because if he beats Javante Tank Davis in a rematch, he will instantly become a household name.

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101 free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up, everyone? Julie Swearbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.