BREAKING NEWS: Floyd Mayweather’s FIRST WORDS On Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Draw: “HE PAID THE JUDGES”
The boxing world erupted in controversy Sunday morning when Floyd Mayweather Jr., the legendary undefeated champion and former mentor of Gervonta “Tank” Davis, dropped a bombshell accusation regarding the controversial majority draw between Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1, 2025, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. In his first public comments on the fight, Mayweather took to X to claim, “HE PAID THE JUDGES,” pointing a finger at Roach and igniting a firestorm of speculation, outrage, and calls for an investigation into one of the most disputed outcomes in recent boxing history.
The fight, a WBA lightweight title defense for Davis, ended in a majority draw (115-113 for Davis, 114-114, 114-114), preserving Davis’ undefeated 30-0-1 record but leaving Roach, with a record now at 25-1-2, claiming he was robbed of a career-defining victory. The controversy centered on the ninth round, where Davis took a knee, citing grease from his hair impairing his vision, but referee Steve Willis controversially did not rule it a knockdown. Many fans and analysts, including CompuBox stats showing Roach outlanding Davis 112-103, believed Roach deserved a split decision win, making Mayweather’s accusation a lightning rod for attention.
Mayweather, 47, who parted ways with Davis in 2022 after a bitter fallout, posted on X at 8:45 AM PST, “HE PAID THE JUDGES. Lamont Roach knew he was losing, so he bought the draw to save face. Tank dominated, and this is a disgrace to boxing.” The tweet, which has already amassed over 2 million likes and 1.5 million retweets, sent shockwaves through the boxing community, with fans and experts flooding the platform with reactions. The hashtag #MayweatherRoachScandal began trending within minutes, alongside #DavisDraw, as the accusation fueled a global debate about corruption in the sport.
Roach’s camp was quick to respond, with trainer Calvin Ford taking to X to fire back, “Floyd’s lying to protect his boy Tank. Lamont outboxed Gervonta, and the judges got it wrong—not because of any bribe, but because of incompetence or bias. We demand a rematch and an investigation.” Manager Garry Jonas added, “This is a desperate smear from Mayweather to distract from Tank’s weak performance. We have the stats, the footage, and the fans on our side—Floyd’s just salty.”
Davis, 30, has remained silent on Mayweather’s claim, focusing instead on his post-fight recovery and training for a potential rematch. However, his team issued a statement through Mayweather Promotions, saying, “Floyd’s comments are baseless and inflammatory. Tank fought a hard fight, and the draw is a fair reflection of a competitive bout. We stand by the judges’ decision and reject any accusations of wrongdoing.”
The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), which oversaw the fight, has acknowledged Mayweather’s accusation and promised a review. Executive director Matt Delaglio told *The New York Times*, “We take allegations of corruption seriously and will investigate Floyd Mayweather’s claims thoroughly. Until then, we stand by the integrity of our officials and the judging process.” However, boxing analysts like Timothy Bradley on *ESPN* expressed skepticism, noting, “Mayweather’s throwing a grenade here, but he’s got no evidence—yet. If there’s truth to this, it’s a dark day for boxing.”
Mayweather’s accusation gains additional context from his strained relationship with Davis. After parting ways in 2022, the two have traded barbs on social media and in interviews, with Mayweather accusing Davis of being “ungrateful” and Davis calling Mayweather “a control freak.” Mayweather’s claim that Roach “paid the judges” could be seen as an attempt to defend Davis’ performance, which some critics argued was lackluster compared to Roach’s volume and precision, especially in the later rounds.
Posts on X reflect the polarized sentiment, with fans divided between loyalty to Davis and outrage over the draw. “Floyd’s got to be joking—Roach clearly won, and this bribery talk is just smoke,” tweeted @BoxingTruth2025, while @TankNation2023 wrote, “Mayweather’s right—Tank was robbed of a knockout by a rigged draw. Roach’s team is shady!” Prominent figures like Terence Crawford and Deontay Wilder have chimed in, with Crawford posting, “If Floyd’s got proof, let’s see it. Otherwise, this is just noise,” and Wilder adding, “Boxing’s dirty—wouldn’t surprise me if someone paid off the judges.”
The fight’s purse breakdown—Davis earning a reported $5 million and Roach $200,000—has also fueled speculation about financial motives. Some fans suggest Mayweather’s accusation could be a strategic move to pressure the NYSAC into revisiting the decision, potentially awarding Davis a victory or forcing a rematch. Others believe it’s a publicity stunt to hype a future Davis-Mayweather exhibition, given their history and ongoing rivalry.
Roach, speaking from his D.C. home on Monday morning, told *Sports Illustrated*, “Floyd’s desperate to protect his legacy through Tank, but I won that fight fair and square. His accusation is absurd—I didn’t pay anyone, and I’m not the one with the resources to bribe judges. This is a distraction from the truth: Gervonta’s reign is slipping, and I’m the real threat.”
As the NYSAC’s investigation unfolds, the boxing world is on edge, awaiting evidence to support or debunk Mayweather’s claim. If proven true, the scandal could lead to the stripping of Davis’ title, fines for Roach or his team, and a lifetime ban for any involved officials. If false, Mayweather risks damaging his reputation and straining his already fragile relationship with Davis further.
Stay tuned for updates on X under #MayweatherRoachScandal, as this breaking story could reshape the lightweight division and expose corruption at the highest levels of professional boxing. This is a saga that’s far from over.
