Gervonta Davis delivered one other spectacular efficiency on Saturday evening in Las Vegas, stopping Ryan Garcia in seven rounds in a scheduled 12-pound 136-pound combat.
The victory underscored “Tank’s”‘ place among the many finest handful of fighters on the earth.
The following step within the profession of Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) must be essentially the most tough, no less than on paper: a gathering with one of many prime, more-established 135-pounders.
Listed below are the 5 absolute best opponents for the rising star from Baltimore.
SHAKUR STEVENSONRecord: 20-0 (10 KOs)
Stevenson is likely to be essentially the most skillful boxer on the planet. The previous 130-pound titleholder has been untouchable, with the pure presents and talent to select his opponents aside whereas taking virtually nothing in return. And the 25-year-old southpaw from New Jersey hasn’t been combating bums, with Joet Gonzalez, Jamel Herring and Oscar Valdez amongst his victims. Davis, an outstanding technician himself, can field with anybody however he usually depends on large punches to get the job executed. He might discover it tough to land cleanly in opposition to Stevenson, who would possibly be capable of stick-and-move his solution to surviving 12 rounds and successful a choice. Stevenson’s one legal responsibility is abnormal punching energy, which might work in opposition to him in a gathering with Davis. Can the combat be made? Davis and Stevenson are aligned with competing shops. However so have been Davis and Garcia. If Davis desires the combat to occur, it’ll occur.
DEVIN HANEYRecord: 29-0 (15 KOs)
Haney is the undisputed champion however not essentially the No. 1 135-pounder. The 24-year-old from San Francisco additionally is without doubt one of the finest technicians within the enterprise, though most likely not so good as Stevenson. And he punches no more durable than Stevenson does, which might add to the problem he’d face in opposition to a whole fighter like Davis. Nevertheless, Haney shouldn’t be underestimated, even in opposition to Davis. He has large combat expertise, together with back-to-back victories over George Kambosos (the primary by which he received all 4 titles). And he’s a very large 135-pounder, which is all the time a plus. Negotiations between Davis and Haney additionally might be difficult. Nevertheless, Davis will probably be extremely motivated to combat for the undisputed championship, whether or not it’s in opposition to Haney or Vasiliy Lomachenko. Haney and Lomachenko are scheduled to fulfill on Might 20.
VASILIY LOMACHENKORecord: 17-2 (11 KOs)
Lomachenko is a wildcard. The boxing wizard from Ukraine might make a idiot out of just about anybody as soon as upon a time however he’s 35 now. We’ll discover out whether or not he nonetheless has it when he fights Haney. Many wrote Lomachenko off when he misplaced his 135-pound titles to Teofimo Lopez by a unanimous resolution in October 2020. Nevertheless, he fought with an injured shoulder in that bout. He has since delivered convincing victories over Masayoshi Nakatani (TKO 9), Richard Commey (UD) and Jamaine Ortiz (UD), main some to imagine that he nonetheless has loads to offer on this sport. That might be unhealthy information for Davis ought to they meet within the ring. A Lomachenko on the prime of his sport might frustrate anybody, even a prime pound-for-pounder. Competing entities might pose issues on this one too. Nevertheless, if Lomachenko beats Haney, Davis will need to combat him.
FRANK MARTINRecord: 17-0 (12 KOs)
Martin isn’t as established as the massive 4 – Davis, Stevenson, Haney and Lomachenko – however he has proven indicators of being a particular fighter. He has spectacular God-given presents, polished expertise and strong punching energy. He had a significant breakthrough in his most up-to-date combat, a dominating unanimous resolution over beforehand unbeaten and revered Michel Rivera in December that lifted the 28-year-old from Detroit to elite standing. He’s ranked within the Prime 7 of all 4 main sanctioning our bodies, which implies a giant combat is across the nook if he continues to win. May he push Davis? That may be tough with out a lot big-fight expertise however he has the instruments to offer anybody issues. Plus, he and Davis are each aligned with PBC and Showtime, which might make negotiations comparatively simple.
ISAAC CRUZRecord: 24-2-1 (17 KOs)
Cruz has already tangled with Davis, giving a superb account of himself in a unanimous resolution loss in December 2021. So good that he arguably earned the precise to fulfill Davis once more. The squat, highly effective Mexican would possibly’ve revealed the method that would give Davis bother, unrelenting strain mixed with the power to take onerous punches. Cruz by no means stopped coming. Davis mentioned afterward that he reinjured an harm to his left (lead) hand within the combat, which was a major handicap. Perhaps a wholesome, two-handed Davis dominates Cruz, perhaps not. One factor is definite: After the primary combat, Cruz would step into the ring with quite a lot of confidence. That’s half the battle in opposition to intimidating fighters like Davis. I don’t know whether or not Davis could be keen on giving Cruz one other shot however the combat could be simple to make as a result of they share a supervisor.
Subsequent two: William Zepeda, an aggressive, highly effective quantity puncher; Keyshawn Davis, the gifted however comparatively inexperienced Olympic silver medalist.
