
Podcast: Recap of Tank-Roach draw and massive 9th-round controversy
Plus: Matias-Valenzuela, Donovan-Crocker controversy; news of the week; big fight anniversary memories
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There were plenty of fights over the weekend and we recapped the action, led by the Gervonta “Tank” Davis-Lamont Roach Jr. pay-per-view card and the massive controversy in the main event. There is also news of the week and memories on the anniversary of two major fights.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Recap of the Davis-Roach draw for Davis’ WBA lightweight title and in-depth discussion of the tremendous controversy of the ninth round, when Davis clearly took a knee but referee Steve Willis, after beginning to count, decided not to call a knockdown and the ensuing mess of the botched replay review.
Recap of the undercard: Gary Antuanne Russell’s brilliant performance in a rout of Jose Valenzuela to win the WBA junior welterweight title; Alberto Puello’s split decision over Sandor Martin to retain the WBC junior welterweight belt; Yoenis Tellez’s rout of Julian Williams to claim the vacant WBA interim junior middleweight title; and Johan Gonzalez’s decision over Jarrett Hurd that sent the former unified junior middleweight champion into retirement.
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Recap of Subriel Matias’ eighth-round knockout of Gabriel Valenzuela in their IBF junior welterweight title eliminator.
Recap Lewis Crocker’s highly controversial eighth-round disqualification win over Paddy Donovan, who dominated the fight, in their IBF welterweight title eliminator that was handled terribly by referee Marcus McDonnell.
Turki Alalshikh’s formal announcement of a May 2 PPV tripleheader in New York’s Times Square: Ryan Garcia-Rolando Romero; Devin Haney-Jose Ramirez; and Teofimo Lopez-Arnold Barboza Jr., and that he has made a deal with legendary broadcaster Jim Lampley to call the card.
The WBC’s announcement of status updates for its divisions, including saying that undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol must next face interim titlist/mandatory challenger Davis Benavidez.
Memories on the 25th anniversary of when the great Felix Trinidad moved up to junior middleweight and destroyed David Reid to win the WBA title in the first of three devastating performances in the division before going to middleweight.
Memories on the 17th anniversary of when Israel Vazquez narrowly outpointed Rafael Marquez to retain the lineal/WBC junior featherweight title in their epic third fight, the supreme 2008 fight of the year.
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We bring you the preview each Friday and the weekend recap each Monday. Let me know what you think of the podcast by leaving your comments.
Davis-Roach photo: Esther Lin/PBC
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Tank hasn’t fought much lately, and it showed. Another black eye for boxing in the handling of the knock down Tank got away with… OMG!
Ref was fully in the tank for Tank. I've never seen anyone take a knee and not having it ruled as a knockdown. Just another reason the sport of boxing isn't what it used to be. Sad state of affairs to say the least.