Gervonta Davis has knocked out all but two of his 30 opponents
The knockout artist from Baltimore first heard the final bell in his ninth fight against Mexican journeyman German Meraz, a six-rounder. It was sixteen fights later – which included statement stoppages over Yuriorkis Gamboa, Leo Santa Cruz and Mario Barrios – that Davis would go the full twelve rounds.
Isaac Cruz, known by some as Mexico’s mini Mike Tyson, faced ‘Tank’ at the Staples Center in LA to challenge for his WBA Regular Lightweight belt.
Davis said post-fight that he injured his hand so couldn’t score the knockout, and his southpaw left was notably kept at bay towards the end of proceedings.
In rating the champion’s power, Cruz said there was no doubt he punches hard but that no damage was done.
“He’s a hard puncher, that’s for sure, but we prepared well and as you can see he didn’t do any real damage at all. So we felt prepared and felt that we stood up to him just fine during the twelve rounds.”
There has been an appetite for a rematch since. Cruz has moved up to super-lightweight and won the WBA World Title by stopping Rolando Romero, though lost the belt in his first defence against Jose Valenzuela.
‘Tank’ – last out with a spectacular KO of Frank Martin – is content in the lightweight ranks and is set to defend his Full WBA strap against Lamont Roach Jr next year, official announcement pending.
