Gervonta Davis(24-0, 23 KOs) headlined his first pay-per-view on Saturday night, and it was a rousing success. Davis delivered a Knockout of the Year candidate over four-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz(37-2, 19 KOs) in the most important fight of his career, retaining his WBA(regular) Lightweight title and picking up the WBA Super Featherweight title at the Alamodome in San Antonio(Showtime PPV).
It was the first major boxing event with fans in attendance since COVID-19 forced a halt to U.S. sports in March with an announced crowd of 9,024.
The fight, which was contested at 130 pounds, saw both fighters stand in the pocket and press the action. Santa Cruz had some success at times in the fight, but in the sixth round, Davis found an opening to land his trademark left uppercut, a knockout shot that Santa Cruz never saw coming. Davis proved that he is one of the most powerful punchers in the sport, stunning the crowd. Watch the KO HERE.
“The uppercut wasn’t the key coming into the fight, but I adapted to what he was bringing,” said Baltimore’s Davis. “I knew he was taller and crouching down and moving forward. Once he moved forward, I tried to jab and make him run into the shot. He was right there for it. He punches, but he doesn’t try to get out of the way. There was nowhere for him to go on that knockout because I got him into the corner.
The power and body attack of the 25-year-old Davis was the difference as he landed 55 percent of his power punches to 29 percent for Santa Cruz, who was having his best round of the fight in the sixth round prior to the defining punch. The stronger Davis lured the 32-year-old Santa Cruz into a firefight as 34 of Davis’ 84 landed punches were body shots.
“Leo is a tough warrior and a strong Mexican fighter,” said Davis. “He came ready for me. I was just the better fighter tonight. I want to maintain both belts. Whatever decision me and my team comes up with, we’ll go with it. I’m not ducking or dodging anybody. I’m a pay-per-view star. Everybody knows I’m number one, and I showed it tonight.”
“We didn’t get the win, but I’m okay,” said Santa Cruz, who was taken to a nearby hospital for observation.
What’s next for Baltimore’s Davis? Well, WBC 126-pound champion Gary Russell, a D.C native and signed to PBC, is looking to move up to 130, so a Baltimore vs. D.C. battle would be intriguing. Also, Ryan Garcia(Golden Boy Promotions) is out there, and he’s very popular, but that won’t be easy because of the promotional situation.
However, to get some of the belt holders at 135 or 130, Davis would have to cross the street to fight unified 135-pound champion Teofimo Lopez(Top Rank), or if he wants another belt at 130, again, he would have to cross the street to fight the other champions(Jamel Herring/WBO, Joseph Diaz/IBF, Miguel Berchelt/WBC).
No matter what’s next, it’s time for bigger fights for Gervonta “Tank” Davis.
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