Gervonta Davis knocks out Leo Santa Cruz to win new WBA title
The 25-year-old Mayweather protégé retains the WBA lightweight, wins junior lightweight titles
WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis was undefeated going into Saturday night’s fight with Leo Santa Cruz.
By the end of the event, Davis retained both the unblemished record and title, even winning a new belt, after he knocked out Santa Cruz in the sixth round before thousands at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The Baltimore native made short work of his opponent, throwing a left uppercut that dropped Santa Cruz to the mat quickly, prompting referee Rafael Ramos to waive off the fight without counting.
Santa Cruz, now 37-2-1, had only lost once prior to getting in the ring with Davis. He was unconscious for a moment before being helped up after the match was called. He would go on to wave to the audience and walk to the locker room on his own volition, before being taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.
READ MORE: Boxer Gervonta Davis says he’s ‘Okay with getting sick with COVID’ to please his fans
The fight was competitive throughout, starting with each boxer fighting toe-to-toe in the early goings. Each fighter fell to the canvas during the bout, but Ramos ruled them both as slips. The fourth round saw some heavy blows from both fighters before Davis dispatched Santa Cruz with 23 seconds left in the sixth round.
This was Davis’ first time headlining a pay-per-view fight and defending his WBA lightweight championship belt, which he won after beating Yuriorkis Gamboa last December in a 12th-round technical knockout.
“I’m a pay-per-view star. Everybody knows I’m number one and I showed it tonight,” Davis said, as reported by DAZN. “I’m going to continue to show people all over the world that I’m the best.”
Not only did he retain his title, but we won Santa Cruz’s WBA junior lightweight title as well, according to The Baltimore Sun. Davis now has a 24-0 record, with all but one coming via knockout.
Following the bout, Santa Cruz showed sportsmanship on Twitter, congratulating Davis for the win.
“We didn’t get the win, but I’m okay. Tough fight and congrats to @Gervontaa on victory.”
Davis retweeted it with the caption: “Thank you for the opportunity to share the ring with a warrior. I’m forever grateful.”
Davis has gotten comparisons to former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr., who has been a mentor to the lightweight champion.
READ MORE: Floyd Mayweather’s comeback likely stalled due to recent deaths
According to Boxingscene.com, Mayweather, who nicknamed Davis “Tank,” marveled at Davis’ dynamic abilities the night before the fight.
“A lot of people don’t know that Tank’s boxing skills is really better than his power,” Mayweather said during a virtual press conference. “He just didn’t have to use his boxing skills. But Tank can really, really box his ass off.”
This was the first fight in the Alamodome since the coronavirus pandemic hit the nation.
Normally a 72,000 seat venue, the capacity is now limited to only 11,000 to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
The event drew 9,024 fans.
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