Often promoted as a rising star in boxing and quite possibly the most brutal of the team, Gervonta “Tank” Davis had him billed – then some others – on Saturday with a violent knockout on his first pay-per-view appearance.
At only 25 years old, Davis (24-0, 23 KOs) created a virus highlight that is sure to gain acceptance as Boxing Judge Exit 2020 as Leo Santa Cruz (37-2-1, 19 KOs) cornered in Round 6 and finished Fight closely with a left-to-chin push that pushes the D4 champions out of their senses.
Referee Rafael Ramos waved to fight instantly without counting as Santa Cruz fainted with ringed ropes in the corner. All three judges had 48-47 in favor of Davis at downtime at 2:40 of the sixth round.
Davis said, “First, I want to say, I’m a pay-per-view star. Second, I’m not shunning anyone.” “I’m going to keep showing the world I’m number 1. I don’t have to call anyone. I prefer a dog and everyone knows it. Just prepare them and I’ll beat them, one by one.”
Protecting Davis from retired PPV and pound-for-pound King Floyd Mayweather who has been a staple jewel of Mayweather Promotions, Davis outperformed his mentor by landing in his first major PPV role three years before 28-year-old Mayweather pitted against Arturo Gattie in 2005 year.
Davis, who made the second defense for his WBA lightweight title, has held the Santa Cruz Junior Lightweight title since competing for 130 lbs.
“I can’t estimate [my performance] For now but once I come back and look at it, I’ll be able to figure it out, “Davis said.[Landing uppercuts] Not a key but I took advantage of what he was bringing. I know he was the tallest fighter and he was jumping and moving forward. So I threw a jab and then a big kick to try to get him run towards the shot.
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“He was there for it. He’s a guy who punches but he’s not trying to get away from his punches. I bait him and there was nowhere else he could go.”
Santa Cruz, 32, was playing from the start as he leapt to the top in the first two rounds by beating Davis with punches and landing with smart combos after cornering his opponent. But Davis was able to make the necessary adjustments and began walking Santa Cruz more easily by targeting the body.
Although signs of swelling began to appear around his right eye, Davis was visibly slowing Santa Cruz’s ejection as he dug more hooks in the basement. However, regardless of which fighter was leading, the pace remained fast throughout, including an enjoyable fourth round that featured an exciting two-way move.
The problem for Santa Cruz, who had only fought one fight at 130 pounds before facing a bigger punch in Davis and was slipping in weight, was the accumulation of powerful shots that were starting to pay off. Not only did Davis outside Santa Cruz from 97 to 84 overall, according to CompuBox, he tied 55% of his amazing power shots.
“Once we started fighting, you could see in the first round that I wasn’t really getting warm in the back,” Davis said. “When I got out there, I was still cold. He was trying to hold off his jab, and I was just starting to adjust to what he was doing.
“He’s a tough warrior and a strong Mexican. He came to fight and came ready. I was the best person tonight.”
Although Davis refused to call any names after his victory, he remains the most marketable and accomplished of the young fighters congregating around the 135-pound division, which most believe holds the future of the sport in their hands: Devin Hani and Ryan Garcia, Teofemo Lopez Jr. And Shakur Stephenson.
As much as the future might bring him, Davis said he plans to defend both titles across two weight divisions.
“I’ll keep both,” Davis said. “Whatever decisions my team reaches, I’ll agree to them.” “I’m not dribbling and neither is anyone. You know, there is no safety on this Glock.”
The card was handed over in full for the action-to-watch Saturday night with every PPV event ending in hiatus. Mario Barrios showed he could be among the best at 140 pounds with a fierce knockout of Ryan Karl in the joint main event. The man who used to wear his belt, Regis Prograis, was impressive in the previous match with TKO for Juan Heraldes. Barrios and Prograis may be heading towards showdown in 2021 now that Prograis have signed Premier Boxing Champions.
Davis Card vs Santa Cruz, Results
- Gervunta Davis (c) def. Leo Santa Cruz via TKO round six
- Mario Barrios (c) defeated. Ryan Carl via TKO Sixth Round
- Regis Prograis def. Juan Heraldes via TKO from the third round
- Isaac Cruz def. Diego Magdaleno via TKO from the first round
Davis vs. Santa Cruz Scorecard, live coverage
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Davis |
10 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
World Health Organization |
49 |
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Santa Cruz |
9 |
10 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
46 |
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