This lightweight title fight was slow in the early going as both boxers operated at low volume.
Eventually, Davis and Roach both opened up with a very chippy fifth round. The trash talk started and the fight took full flight. Roach willingly stood in the pocket in the sixth round and welcomed a firefight, which is always dangerous against “Tank.”
Surprisingly, Roach was able to go toe-to-toe with the champion and was even beginning to clip Davis with some perfectly-timed punches.
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The ninth round was a bit weird as Davis took a knee after Roach landed a soft jab. “Tank” was quick to bounce to his feet and go to his corner to wipe his face. This was mid-fight, which led to some confusion by the referee and Roach.
The referee ultimately didn’t rule it a knockdown as Davis explained he had something in his eye (which later turned out to be grease from his hair), but a point still could have been taken. Once the action resumed Davis and Roach would unload for a flurry of punches that sent the Brooklyn crowd into a frenzy.
Roach kept firing away in the 10th and 11th frames as Davis seemed stunned that the fight was unraveling the way it was. “Tank” still had his own success in the pocket, but the champion found himself in an unexpected dog fight. The two lightweights emptied the gas tank in the 12th and final round and left the title fight up to the ringside judges. In the end, “Tank” vs. Roach was ruled a majority draw and Davis retained his WBA lightweight title.
