By: Sean Crose
Gervonta “Tank” Davis recorded a 25-0 record, as well as his WBA lightweight title, coming into a match 22-1-1 Isaac Cruz Sunday in a scheduled 12th round match broadcast by Showtime Pay Per View. broadcast live from LA’s Staple’s Center. The first round was extremely interesting. Cruz is all the action, while Davis can land hard. Towards the end of the inning, Davis was shaken, and Cruz fell off the tarp due to a slip. Davis took advantage of the distance effectively in the second, which allowed him to land his rocket-like shots. However, Cruz had his moments when he was able to get close to the defending champion.
Davis began to take control in the third round, using his superior speed and skill to effectively stop the aggressive Cruz. Cruz continued to land well physically in the fourth round, while Davis had his moments of brilliance. Things take a turn for the better in season six when Cruz continues to work his body while using a rope and woven Tysonesque defense. However, Davis was able to continue to have his quick, hard, and fluid moments. Davis continued to have a very good sixth game, keeping a good distance to predict his opponent’s next move.
The seventh saw Davis actually land in such a way that perhaps Cruz was starting to break down. Yet Cruz continued to land on the opponent’s body. Cruz continued to land well with a headbutt late in the eighth round, but Davis had moments of real mastery throughout the round, acting almost like a bullfighter in front of Cruz the bull. Apparently in season nine, Davis was in for a real fight. However, the defending champion’s amazing results ultimately told the story of the round.
Cruz didn’t just land on Davis in tenth – he landed in a combo and it looked like he might have hurt Davis a bit. By the eleventh minute, Cruz was able to land firmly and often on Davis, punishing the champion’s body while he continued on his duty. It looked like men’s Davis had hurt his left hand in the twelfth and final round – but he boxed brilliantly in the final three minutes of the match. When the judges made their decision, they unanimously ruled in Davis’ favor.
It was an impressive display for Davis, who after the game revealed he injured his left hand. Not only does the Baltimore native battle pain, he can also be the best challenger in the game.
