The March 1st fight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn marked the first draw in Gervonta Davis’ perfect record. Lamont Roach Jr., seen as the underdog going into the bout with the WBA Lightweight Champion, gave Gervonta Davis a run for his money. Roach fought with precision and strategy, clearly not intimidated by the Baltimore native. One could argue that their two previous encounters in the amateur ranks gave the Washington native an edge, allowing him to exploit Davis’ weaknesses. If not for Davis’ last-minute excuses, Lamont Roach Jr. might have had his hand raised in victory.
The controversy that surrounded the match stemmed from Gervonta Davis’ use of grease in his hair, which played a pivotal role in the outcome, resulting in a majority decision draw. Many elite fighters, including Terence Crawford and Claressa Shields, saw Davis take a knee in the 9th round as a knockdown, yet referee Steve Willis simply issued a warning and allowed the fight to continue. Given that Willis is a renowned name in the sport, many are left scratching their heads as to how such an oversight could have been allowed in a world championship bout. So now, the question remains: Are such tactics—whether by accident or design—permitted in the ring, or was this a clear case of bending the rules?
What are the boxing rules for hair greasing?
According to the British Boxing Board of Control’s (BBBC) rules, boxers are strictly prohibited from applying any substance to their body that could potentially harm or irritate their opponent. No matter whether it’s for massage or any other purpose, the boxers are not allowed to use them before or during the fight. While a small amount of Vaseline around the eyes or on the face is allowed, the use of oil or lubricants on the arms, legs, or body is a no-go. The same is the case for the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) in the US, which oversees the rules for all state commissions.
The ABC Regulatory Guidelines clearly state that “hair shall be secured with soft and non-abrasive materials when deemed appropriate by an official from the supervising commission.” This implies that if a boxer’s hair (long or otherwise) could interfere with the fight—such as falling into the eyes or face—it must be tied back securely. While this rule focuses on hair management rather than products explicitly, the use of hair products like gels or sprays could be restricted if they interfere with the “soft and non-abrasive” requirement or create a hazard (e.g., slipping into the eyes or onto the opponent).
Given this, the fact that Gervonta Davis even went ahead with it in the first place raises serious questions. He should have either called it a day and canceled the fight or rescheduled it for another time. However, with the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) currently investigating, there’s a chance that the final verdict from Saturday night could see a change.
Gervonta Davis’ controversial greasing incident
In the post-fight interview, Gervonta Davis revealed, “I just got my hair done two days ago, and she put grease in my sh*t.” After his fight against Lamont Roach Jr. in Brooklyn, this revelation will likely stick with many. The 30-0-1 boxer suggested that the grease from his new hairdo got into his eyes. As a result, it temporarily blurred his vision, and he took a knee. While Lamont Roach’s performance opened doors for bigger fights, Gervonta Davis’s explanation faced growing criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Given the involvement of a third party, the hairstylist, most would expect them to keep their head down and let the dust settle. But not in this case. Instead, they found themselves in the hot seat and decided to set the record straight, potentially fueling the growing doubts about Gervonta Davis’ performance at the Barclays Center.
Through an Instagram post, @happypunch shared the screenshot of the backlash purportedly aimed at Gervonta Davis’s hairstylist. A statement supposedly from the hairstylist quickly featured. “I did his hair WEDNESDAY. It’s SATURDAY! He did press, gym, and weigh in. That’s no excuse. How much grease did I use, damn?” the person reportedly said. An Instagram post from the Bronx-based hairstylist @leebthebrand actually had a short clip of Gervonta Davis sitting at the studio, perusing his mobile while getting styled.
Despite this defense from Tank, the damage was already done. The sight of Gervonta Davis taking a knee in the ring, only to resume the fight moments later, has raised eyebrows and sparked intense scrutiny, overshadowing any explanations given afterward.
Amanda Serrano stands up for Gervonta Davis
After the incident, seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano also opened up about a similar incident. Serrano took to X to explain that she had to cancel a fight in her hometown of Puerto Rico. Just like Gervonta Davis, she also had her hair done two days before her bout with Nina Meinke in March 2024. However, during a run leading up to the fight, some grease from her styling session got into her eyes, leaving them inflamed, ultimately forcing the cancellation of the match at the last minute.
Her X post read, “1 year ago today I had to cancel my homecoming fight in Puerto Rico for the same mistake… Getting my hair done two days before and then it burning my eyes from a run before the fight. Never again. My natural hair is just fine ladies.”
1 year ago today I had to cancel my homecoming fight in Puerto Rico for the same mistake…getting my hair done two days before and then it burning my eyes from a run before the fight. Never again. My natural hair is just fine ladies. https://t.co/V0DRH4EK6q
— Amanda Serrano (@Serranosisters) March 2, 2025
At the time, Serrano was deemed “medically unfit” to fight Meinke after claiming she injured her eye while getting her hair dyed. Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian backed her up, saying a chemical from the dye seeped into her eye while she went for a run.
However, Gervonta Davis explained, “I didn’t want to get caught while my eyes were burning; you can get knocked out like that.” And for that reason, he’d “rather take the knee. But I didn’t know that you could get disqualified for all that. When he (the referee) started counting, I’m like, ‘What the hell’?”
Given the situation, do you think Gervonta Davis should have been disqualified for breaking the rules? Would you like to see him and Lamont Roach Jr. square off again in a rematch? Who do you think will have the upper hand if they collide again?
The post Is Hair Grease Allowed in Boxing? appeared first on EssentiallySports.
