Gervonta Davis is an exceptional fighter; it’s really that simple.
After a 14-month layoff, Davis scored a spectacular eighth-round KO victory over the previously undefeated Frank Martin on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The precision of Davis’ massive left uppercut and straight left was devastating. The left uppercut did the initial damage, and the straight left was the final blow that put Martin out for the 10-count. Here is a look at the finish:
Here is another look at the finish, along with a backflip from the top rope that would rival WWE Superstars Tiffany Stratton’s Prettiest Moonsault Ever finishing maneuver.
The win over Martin pushed Davis to 29-0 with 27 KOs. Martin’s record fell 18-1.
He initially showcased a strong gameplan, utilizing his jab and movement to secure some early rounds. However, as the match progressed, he began to tire, frequently resting on the ropes and neglecting the jabs and combinations that had previously brought him success.
I had Davis up 67-66 at the stoppage after erasing Martin’s early lead.
Here’s how the boxing community reacted to Davis’ win. Former world champion Shawn Porter called Davis’ win a mental and physical beatdown.
Porter is correct. Even when Martin won rounds early, Davis still looked like the more confident fighter. Nothing seemed to rattle him, and Martin never looked assured in his success.
When dissecting the quieter rounds, the one who truly defines the fight’s identity is the one who dominates. From the second round to the finish, Davis held that power, making his presence felt with pressure and purpose.
Philly Special’s Raging Babe began to pine for a Davis vs. Teofimo Lopez matchup.
That fight would be wildly successful and appealing to the boxing community. It could reach one million pay-per-view buys, which should motivate both sides to at least consider the fight.
TalkSport’s Michael Benson asked his followers for their take on a potential Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson fight.
Stevenson, with his lightning-fast hands and impeccable defense, could potentially pose a significant challenge for Davis.
The question that arises, much like with Martin, is whether he possesses enough power to counter Tank’s aggression and slow him down. This is one of the primary areas where Martin fell short. He could never get Davis’ respect, so he was walked down and annihilated in the eighth round.
Would Stevenson do any better? Who knows what’s next for Davis? When asked about his next potential opponents, he didn’t bite on the questions from Premier Boxing Champions’ Jim Gray.
Instead, Davis was noticeably humble, thankful, and respectful during his post-fight presser, and he talked about being eager to get back to the gym to iron out some tough spots. As for Martin, he might find a suitable opponent in Subriel Matias if he’s willing to move up to 140 pounds.
The power-punching Puerto Rican lost his IBF title when he was upset by Liam Paro just minutes before Davis finished Martin. A fight between the two men would give each of them an opportunity to rebound from a defeat and add an impressive win to their resumes.
It should be a serious thought for Martin as he looked drained at the weigh-ins on Friday. In either case, Davis would probably have beaten him on Saturday, as he has proven to be one of the best in the sport.
