On March 1, 2025, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn hosted the WBA Championship, delivering a night full of boxing excitement.
The people were energetic during Gervonta “Tank” Davis’s defense match with Lamont Roach Jr for the WBA lightweight title. The undercard was as exciting as the match itself, featuring Gary Antuanne Russell and Jarrett Hurd. Filled with intense action, this event showcased top-of-the-line boxing and was a fantastic display of athleticism.
Main Event: Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr.
The WBA Championship main event between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. took place on March 1, 2025, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The fight ended in a draw, the first time in Davis’s professional career that he has not won a match. While one judge scored Davis 115-113, the two judges scored him 114-114, which split fans and analysts. Roach, who came from super featherweight, performed well.
He managed to withstand Davis’s power and displayed his smart game plan, which some felt would have won him the fight.
The controversial moment was when Davis sank to a knee in the ninth round, reportedly due to an issue with an eye caused by hair grease. The referee did not ring the bell for it as a knockdown, which many are disputing.
In the post-bout, Davis spoke of the close nature of the fight and said he would be happy to have a rematch. Roach felt he had done enough to win and was eager for another chance with Davis.
Roach outlanded Davis in total punches and showcased strong defensive skills, making it a highly competitive bout.
The result has opened up debate regarding scoring, refereeing, and the possibility of a quick rematch to lay the matter to rest.
Co-Main Event: Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Jose Valenzuela
In the WBA Championship co-main event on March 1, 2025, Gary Antuanne Russell secured the WBA Super Lightweight title with a dominant, unanimous decision victory over Jose Valenzuela at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Russell outperformed Valenzuela in the fight, with judges scoring it 119-109, 119-109, and 120-108. He was very active, landing 252 out of 957 punches, including 175 power shots, while Valenzuela only landed 127 out of 443. This win marked a strong comeback for Russell, who hadn’t fought since losing to Alberto Puello in June 2024.
Russell’s victory establishes him as a significant contender in the WBA super lightweight division, and he has promising fights on the horizon.
Undercard Highlights
The undercard of the WBA Championship event on March 1, 2025, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn featured notable bouts:
- Alberto Puello vs. Sandor Martin: Alberto Puello faced Sandor Martin in a tough fight for the WBC super lightweight title, where Puello successfully defended his title with a split decision. The judges scored it 115-113 and 116-112 for Puello, while one judge scored it 115-113 for Martin. Although a lot of fans thought Martin was the stronger fighter, especially with his power punches, the result was final, adding to the list of controversial decisions in Martin’s career.
- Yoenis Tellez vs. Julian Williams: Yoenis Tellez climbed higher in the super welterweight division after defeating Julian Williams by TKO in the eighth round, securing the interim WBA super welterweight title. Tellez was in charge throughout the fight, using sharp combinations and steady pressure, which led the referee to stop the action.
- Jarrett Hurd vs. Johan Gonzalez: Jarrett Hurd, who was once the unified super welterweight champion, made a strong return by defeating Johan Gonzalez by TKO in the eighth round. Hurd led the fight, using his skills and strength to wear down Gonzalez before ending it.
Event Venue and Atmosphere
The boxing event that took place on March 1, 2025, was a very lively affair as it was held at the Barclays Center, which is located in Brooklyn, New York.
The arena is widely known for hosting important sporting and entertainment events. However, the modern design of the center and the great service on offer also give a positive feel. The energy of the place increased the moment the fans arrived at the arena, which added excitement to the matches.
Viewers remained actively engaged and keen during the entire event, which confirms why the Barclays Center has gained prominence as a live sports venue.
