The boxing world is reeling from an explosive revelation: Lamont Roach Jr. has released a shocking audio recording alleging that Gervonta “Tank” Davis and referee Steve Willis conspired to cheat him out of a career-defining victory during their controversial WBA lightweight title fight on March 1, 2025, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The leaked audio, shared exclusively on X on Sunday night, has ignited a firestorm of outrage, with fans, analysts and promoters calling for an urgent investigation into one of the most contentious moments in recent boxing history.

The fight, which ended in a majority draw (115-113 for Davis, 114-114, 114-114), was already marred by controversy after Davis took a knee in the ninth round, claiming that the grease from his hair had impaired his vision, but referee Willis did not rule it a knockdown. This unsanctioned decision preserved Davis’ unbeaten record of 30-0-1 and allowed him to retain his title, despite a gutsy performance from Roach and the widespread belief among fans and pundits that he deserved the win. Now, the explosive leak of Roach’s audio has heightened the drama, suggesting a deeper plot to deny him victory.

In the 2-minute, 37-second recording, posted on X under the hashtag #RoachExposed, Roach can be heard in a heated conversation with his trainer, Calvin Ford, and manager, Garry Jonas, just hours after the fight. The audio, purportedly recorded in Roach’s locker room, captures Roach’s frustration as he states: “I heard Tank whisper to Willis before the ninth, something like ‘don’t count it out, I’ll take care of the rest. ’ They knew he had him on the ropes and manipulated him to save their perfect record.” Ford is heard responding: “That’s what I saw too, LJ. They set you up and Willis played along. Now we have the proof, let’s expose this.”

The recording, which has already garnered more than 3 million views and 500,000 shares on X, includes the background noise of a crowd and what sounds like a muffled exchange between Davis and Willis during the ninth round, though the words are indistinguishable. Roach alleges the audio was captured via a hidden recorder in his corner, a precaution he took after noticing “suspicious behavior” from Davis and Willis during pre-fight meetings. “I knew something wasn’t right when Tank kept smiling at me at the weigh-in and Willis avoided eye contact,” Roach told *The Ring* in a statement afterwards. “This audio proves I was tricked into not being able to live my moment.”

The leak has sparked an immediate backlash on social media, with #RoachJustice trending alongside #DavisCheat. Fans have flooded X with reactions, many calling for Davis to be stripped of his title and for Willis to be banned from refereeing. “This is the biggest robbery in boxing history – Lamont deserved that win and now we have proof,” tweeted @BoxingTruth2025, while @TankNation2023 responded: “This audio is fake, Roach is just pissed. Tank is still the champion.” Prominent boxing figures including Terence Crawford and Shawn Porter have weighed in, with Crawford posting: “If this is real it’s a disgrace. Roach should have won and the referee needs to answer.”

Gervonta Davis, who has remained silent about the audio leak until Sunday night, previously defended his actions after the fight, blaming a “bad hair day” and the grease from his braids for affecting his vision, leading to the knee in the ninth round. “I didn’t mean to break the rules but my eye was burning; I had to take a knee,” Davis told ESPN after the fight. Referee Willis, contacted for comment by The Guardian, denied any wrongdoing, stating: “I made the decision based on what I saw in the ring. There was no intention to cheat and I stand by my decision.” However, the leaked audio has cast serious doubt on Willis’ claim, prompting calls for the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) to review the recording and investigate.

Roach’s camp is demanding swift action, with manager Garry Jonas telling *Sports Illustrated*: “This isn’t just about one fight, it’s about the integrity of boxing. If Gervonta and Steve colluded, they have robbed Lamont of millions – not just in purses, but in future opportunities. We will take this to the NYSAC and beyond if we have to.” Roach, who earned $200,000 for the fight compared to Davis’ $5 million, believes the fact that no one was called out cost him a life-changing victory that would have elevated his status in the lightweight division and secured him a rematch clause worth a potential $2 million more.

The NYSAC, led by executive director Matt Delaglio, has acknowledged the audio leak and promised a thorough investigation. “We take allegations of this nature very seriously,” Delaglio said in a statement Monday morning. “We will review the recording, interview all parties and determine if any rules were violated. Until then, we urge the public to reserve judgment.” However, critics argue that the commission’s inaction during the fight — when Delaglio was ringside but did not ask for an instant replay review — already compromised the outcome, as noted by Yahoo Sports.

Compounding the controversy, CompuBox stats from the fight show Roach landing 112 of 400 punches (28%) compared to Davis’ 103 of 279 (37%), with Roach out-volumeing Davis and landing more power shots in the later rounds. Many analysts, including Timothy Bradley at ESPN, argued that Roach’s performance warranted a split decision win, making the non-call in the ninth round all the more outrageous. “Lamont outboxed Tank, and that knee should have been a knockdown. This audio, if authentic, is the smoking gun,” Bradley tweeted.

As of 11:30 p.m. EST, neither Davis nor Willis have directly addressed the audio, but Davis’s team has hinted at legal action, with a source telling *The New York Post*: “This is a fabricated smear campaign to discredit Tank. We will prove the audio is fake in court.” However, Roach remains defiant, telling *Bleacher Report*: “I’ve fought my entire life for this moment and I will not let it be stolen. This audio is real and the truth will come out.”

The leak also reignited calls for a rematch, with both fighters expressing interest after the fight. Roach, now 25-1-2, has vowed to come back stronger, while Davis, 30-0-1, insists he remains the king of the division. But the audio has changed the narrative, casting a shadow over Davis’ title reign and Willis’ credibility, leaving the boxing world in suspense as the NYSAC investigation looms.

Stay tuned for updates on X at #RoachExposed as this explosive scandal could redefine the lightweight division and the integrity of professional boxing in 2025. This is a story that is far from over.