LAS VEGAS – Gervonta “Tank” Davis could not solely be the face of boxing, he may additionally be the world’s greatest fighter. Davis delivered yet one more viral second, efficiently defending his WBA Light-weight World Title by knocking out the beforehand unbeaten Frank “The Ghost” Martin with a vicious left hand at 1:29 of the eighth spherical within the PBC Pay-Per-View most important occasion on Prime Video Saturday night time, which marked the a hundredth championship combat night time on the historic MGM Grand Backyard Area in Las Vegas.
Preventing in his first world title bout, Martin delivered a high-level efficiency. Davis (30-0, 28 KOs), nonetheless, confirmed as soon as once more that he’s certainly particular.
“Thanks guys for popping out, nice occasion. I recognize everybody who made this attainable. We did it as soon as once more. On to the following!” mentioned Davis.
A packed home filled with 13,249 had been on-hand to witness a masterful efficiency from Davis. Martin (18-1, 12 KOs) used fast combos and elite athleticism to financial institution the early rounds. Davis took his time, opening up within the third spherical and continually pinning Martin in opposition to the ropes.
“Frank Martin was an excellent fighter. He put up a superb 4 to 5 rounds,” mentioned Davis. “I used to be discovering my vary. (Martin) had an honest jab and was shifting quite a bit and I simply needed to break him down because the combat went on.”
The undefeated three-division world champion utilized regular, clever strain, slowly breaking Martin down and setting him up for the highlight-reel end within the eighth. With Martin backed right into a nook, Davis rocked him with a robust left uppercut adopted by a left cross that left Martin flat on his again. As Martin struggled to rise, referee Harvey Dock properly waved the combat off.
“I knew he wasn’t getting again up due to the best way he fell, and I knew he was gonna tire himself out, that was the entire gameplan,” mentioned Davis.
“I’m holding my head excessive,” mentioned Martin. “On the finish of the day, I got here out to be nice, however I got here up brief. I obtained caught with a shot that I didn’t see, a type of photographs that comes from beneath and it went from there. I assume I didn’t make the rely, however I recognize everyone that got here out, everyone that’s been part of this occasion.
“I’ll be again. Going to go watch the movie, get higher and develop. Y’all will see me once more.”
Davis has related plans. “Now we return to the drafting board and I wish to combat all of them.”
Co-headlining the occasion, undefeated two-time world champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez didn’t miss a beat in his 175-pound debut, soundly outboxing and out-slugging former world champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk to win a 12-round unanimous resolution (116-112, 117-111, 119-109) and the Interim WBC Mild Heavyweight World Title.
“I went up in weight, gained each single spherical and dominated a former world champion and an Olympian as effectively,” mentioned Benavidez.
“I had him damage a few instances. I wasn’t throwing lots of combos as a result of I reinjured my hand within the third spherical. I tore my proper ligament 4 weeks earlier than the combat and I damage my left hand in camp. I’m pleased with myself as a result of I additionally obtained a minimize three weeks in the past and I pushed via and gave the followers a superb combat.”
Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) displayed each ability within the guide, utilizing a snapping jab to work his manner in and unload to the top and physique with correct combos. Gvozdyk, in his first world title bout since 2019, didn’t go quietly. The Kharkiv, Ukraine product threw punches in bunches, typically sneaking in a proper hand behind his fast left.
“I clearly want we obtained a unique resolution tonight. I want I had accomplished a bit extra and been extra energetic within the early rounds of the combat,” mentioned Gvozdyk.
“I feel the scores had been fairly correct. It was a superb combat, an in depth combat. He was higher within the first half of the combat, however I feel I began doing higher within the second half. I’d love a rematch with him.”
Benavidez damage Gvozdyk (20-2, 16 KOs) a number of instances throughout the second half of the combat however wasn’t capable of put his powerful opponent away in what was a dominant efficiency.
“I’m trying ahead to what’s subsequent within the division,” mentioned Benavidez.
Pay-per-view motion additionally noticed thrilling forwards and backwards motion between Gary Antuanne Russell (17-1, 17 KOs) and Alberto Puello (23-0, 10 KOs), which ended with Puello profitable a 12-round break up resolution to seize the vacant Interim WBC Tremendous Light-weight Championship.
“I obtained down on my knees and the very first thing I did was thank God, after which I mentioned, ‘I made it.’ The burden barrier, the time away from my household, it was all price it,” mentioned a jubilant Puello.
“It feels nice to be a champion, as a result of this can mark the start of a brand new chapter in my life.”
The 2 southpaws gave pretty much as good as they obtained for your entire combat with each fighters refusing to offer an inch. Russell’s quickness and aggression allowed him to pile up factors, however Puello’s counterpunching proved to be the distinction.
“It wasn’t about what Puello did tonight, it was about what I didn’t do. I ought to have listened extra and executed extra. Like I at all times say, if I execute our recreation plan, it’s a matter of indisputable fact that I’ll get the victory. However tonight, I fell brief,” mentioned Russell.
Puello was deducted some extent for holding in spherical 9 and was on the receiving finish of a borderline low blow within the tenth. He appeared to return the favor a spherical later as Russell wanted a momentary break from a low shot. In the long run, Choose Dave Hudson’s 118-109 rating for Russell was overruled by Tim Cheatham and Glenn Feldman who had it for Puello by scores of 114-113 and 115-112 respectively.
“It was the perfect I’ve ever fought in my life,” mentioned Puello. “The laborious work being far-off from my household lastly paid off. Deliver anyone on, I don’t care. I’m able to face all comers.”
Opening up the pay-per-view, Carlos Adames made a profitable first protection of his WBC Middleweight World Title, profitable a large 12-round unanimous resolution over Terrell Gausha.
“That is very satisfying,” mentioned Adames. “To have defended my title the best way I did, with the convincing resolution, was what I needed after a 12 months away.”
Adames’ expertise and energy dictated the motion. Gausha had his moments down the stretch, notably within the seventh spherical. A low blow from Adames within the eleventh brought about a break in motion, however he completed sturdy to win by scores of 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110.
“Carlos Adames is a troublesome hell of a fighter and he has a powerful punch, so I knew we needed to be cautious within the first few rounds,” mentioned Gausha. “The sport plan was to choose it up in direction of the tip of the combat, which I assumed I did, however clearly it wasn’t sufficient tonight.
“The scorecards had been vast. I don’t agree with them. I assumed it was nearer, however on the finish of the day he gained the combat. So, it’s what it’s.”
“The knockout was within the making till I landed that unintended low blow,” mentioned Adames. “That was unlucky. (Gausha) was capable of compose himself and catch his breath after that. He was an uncomfortable, distinctive opponent to face.
“One of the best is but to return! I wish to thank all of the followers for popping out, and I recognize your assist.”
Previous to the pay-per-view, PBC on Prime Video motion featured a trio of bouts topped by a powerful efficiency from Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis. Davis (19-3-1, 6 KOs) overcame a late rally handy Elijah Garcia his first defeat through 10-round break up resolution.
Choose Max De Luca scored the competition 97-93, whereas Eric Cheek had it 98-92, each for Davis, with decide John McKaie seeing it 97-93 for Garcia.
Davis jumped out to an early lead, working behind the jab and utilizing motion to offset Garcia’s assault. Garcia (16-1, 13 KOs) continued to use strain, oftentimes pinning Davis on the ropes and touchdown to the physique.
The combat grew more and more nearer because the rounds progressed, but Davis remained composed, countering effectively off the ropes. Garcia landed a number of head-snapping photographs in rounds 9 and 10, but it surely wasn’t sufficient to beat Davis’ lead.
In entertaining tremendous featherweight motion, former world champion Mark Magsayo (26-2, 17 KOs) scored one knockdown on his option to a 10-round unanimous resolution over Eduardo Ramirez. Two judges scored the bout 97-92 with a 3rd rating of 99-90.
Magsayo’s energy proved to be the distinction in opposition to a recreation Ramirez. Two straight rights within the third dropped Ramirez (28-4-3, 13 KOs), who rose and instantly fought hearth with hearth. Magsayo remained in command, pulling away to win in convincing vogue.
Kicking off the stream, sensational tremendous featherweight prospect Justin Viloria (6-0, 4 KOs) scored three physique shot knockdowns on his option to a fifth-round TKO win over Angel Contreras (15-9-2, 9 KOs). Viloria managed the motion from the outset, utilizing his jab to arrange energy punches. A physique shot within the fourth crumpled Contreras to the canvas for the bout’s first knockdown. Two extra knockdowns within the fifth, each from proper hooks to the physique, pressured the combat’s finish at 2:02 of that body.
The occasion was promoted by GTD Promotions, Sampson Boxing, TGB Promotions and Man Down Promotions.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Government Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and likewise a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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