Boxing officials amend referee manual after Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr fight

Legendary referee Jack Reiss confirmed that the professional boxing referee manual has been officially updated to clarify that a fighter taking a voluntary knee constitutes a knockdown. This policy change stems from the March 1, 2025, bout between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. During the ninth round, Davis took a knee but was not assessed a knockdown by the referee, despite the New York State Athletic Commission later acknowledging the error. Reiss noted that prior to this, no explicit rule existed in the manual covering voluntary knees. Additionally, Reiss suggested that the conduct of trainer Calvin Ford during that same round warranted his removal from the corner rather than an immediate disqualification of the fighter. The bout ended in a majority draw, with the officiating decisions surrounding the ninth round remaining a focal point for regulation updates.

• 5:17 AMYahoo Sports — Lamont Roach Vs. Gervonta Davis Changed Boxing Rules — Legendary Ref Explains