Gervonta Davis (27-0.25 KOs) silenced Rolando Romero’s trash talk with a sixth-round win in Brooklyn on Saturday night.
Their WBA lightweight match was originally scheduled for December must step back, but simply add to the tension and disdain each has for the other.
Romero (14-1, 12 KOs) had a walking opportunity at Barclays Center but fell into the first position with just over 30 seconds left in the sixth round. The challenger lunged forward as he did in the fight, but ‘Tank’ Davis connected with a counter-concussion left hand. Immediately after the referee David Fields ended the round, Romero decided that there was no place to continue.
The opening half was not the penalty shootout that many might have hoped for. Jabs were released, but the fire was still not lit. Romero’s prediction for the game to end in the opening time frame proved to be unfortunately incorrect.
Romero started work at second and caught Davis with a very strong right arm.
Matters in the ring started to get tough after that but Romero looked even more menacing the rest of the time.
Davis was on tiptoe in the third round, somewhat wary of the opponent’s strength. However, an adorable punch to throw a right hid the left punch that Romero threw and found a home for.
The 26-year-old is in the spotlight, but his aggression often looks like it could get him into trouble. Davis looked like he would quickly get off his feet but nothing substantial of him was landed.
Right before the fourth class started, Davis started talking to his mom! Apparently, he was enjoying the evening in front of more than 20,000 people who were there to cheer him on. Their adopted son from Baltimore set out to beat Romero with his speed and movements determining action.
Davis continued to gain momentum in the fifth round, when he let go early to win the right to hold a round. However, he notably grimaced after the left throw missed the target. Having suffered a hand injury in the past, Davis was put on the back leg by Romero, who sensed a moment to capitalize on but failed to execute.
‘The Tank’ proved there was nothing about his left arm to worry anyone when he unleashed a shot down the stairs in the sixth inning. Romero retaliated with a punch below the belt that sent him off the field. The Las Vegas lightweight continued to rush forward and at one point his shots smelled of the air as Davis’ superior head movement was thwarted. Then, with seconds remaining halfway through the fight, Romero’s barrage of attacks proved his downfall. A right arm flew towards Davis, who in a blink of an eye answered it with a perfectly timed ticking reel to the left that silenced Romero.
It’s proof yet again that Davis remains one of the best 135lb boxers in the world, and retaining his second WBA title isn’t necessary to support that. Real version will be protected by George Kambosos vs Devin Haney next weekend in Australia. With their two-man fight deal ending four titles for the foreseeable future, we can only hope that another lightweight monster bout can be made this year between Davis and Ryan Garcia.
