WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis had just defeated Frank Martin in 2024 and was searching for his next challenge. Confident and dominant, he believed he ruled the lightweight division—convinced that no one could match his skill and power. That illusion shattered when WBA super featherweight champion Lamont Roach Jr. stepped into the ring earlier this month.
Roach entered the fight as a massive underdog, with most dismissing his chances before the opening bell. But once the action started, he proved to be the toughest test of Davis’ career. Round after round, Roach Jr. traded blows with the undefeated Baltimore native, rocking him multiple times. By the final bell, the fight was declared a majority draw, but many felt Roach had done enough to win.
Adding to the controversy was the ninth-round knockdown—where referee Steve Willis failed to count Davis’ knee touch, a call that could have secured Roach a unanimous decision victory. Now, over a week later, a new challenger has stepped out of the shadows. While talks of a Davis-Roach rematch continue, lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla’s father, Gabriel Muratalla Sr., has shed light on why Davis failed to defeat Roach Jr.
While appearing in an interview with Elie Seckbach from ES NEWS, Muratalla Sr. was pressed about his son’s chances of beating ‘The Reaper.’ With all the confidence in the world, Muratalla Sr. said, “[We will] s**t on Lamont Roach.” He explained that Roach Jr. was effective against Davis because the pair had been fighting since their amateur days.
Raymond Muratalla’s Dad REVEALS his son BEATS the shixt outta Lamont RoachSays “Gervonta Davis RESPECTED Lamont roach too much, we’re gonna make that Mvthafvcxka fight:@Seckbach pic.twitter.com/xxZKO5T69b
— Ray Bama (@armoredmaybach) March 6, 2025
It’s worth noting that Davis had defeated Roach Jr. twice back in the amateur circuit. Regardless, Muratalla Sr. also revealed why Davis could not beat Roach Jr., “‘Tank’ was respecting him a little too much. We are not gonna respect him. We are gonna f**king pressure him, we [will] make that motherf**ker fight.”
Meanwhile, the NYSAC has finally revealed its decision on the knee incident.
Is Gervonta Davis taking an L, or will Lamont Roach Jr. have to settle for a draw?
The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) has upheld the controversial majority draw between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr., despite admitting referee Steve Willis should have ruled a knockdown in Round 9. The commission ruled that “the bout continued for more than three full rounds after the referee’s no knockdown call” and that overturning the result “is not viewed by the commission as guaranteeing a correct outcome.”
April 22, 2023, Las Vegas, Nevada, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, United States: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -April 22: Gervonta Davis prepares to fight Ryan Garcia fight in the 12-round main-event Lightweight bout at Premier Boxing Champions – Davis vs Garcia at T-Mobile Arena on April 22, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas, Nevada United States – ZUMAp175 20230422_zsa_p175_217 Copyright: xAlejandroxSalazarx
Roach’s attorney, Gregory M. Smith, expressed disappointment but remains confident. “Lamont is confident that a rematch will end with a victory, but until then, he is the people’s champion at 135 pounds.” Davis defended his actions, claiming the knee wasn’t from a punch but because “grease from a hair treatment burned my eyes.” With the commission’s ruling final, Roach may have to settle for a draw unless a rematch happens.
That said, Gabriel Muratalla Sr. believes he has pinpointed the reason Gervonta Davis couldn’t overcome Lamont Roach Jr.—all while positioning his son as Roach’s next challenger. However, whether Davis can redeem himself in a potential rematch remains uncertain, just as it’s unclear if this emerging rivalry between Roach Jr. and Raymond Muratalla will gain traction. Do you agree with Muratalla Sr.?
The post New Rivalry Takes Birth as Gervonta Davis Told Exactly Why He Failed to Beat Lamont Roach Jr. appeared first on EssentiallySports.
