Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin fight results, highlights: ‘Tank’ lowers the boom for brutal knockout finish

LAS VEGAS — Regardless of snapping a career-long layoff of 14 months, light-weight famous person Gervonta “Tank” Davis proved on Saturday that he, certainly, ain’t afraid of no “Ghost,” or some other fighter for that matter.

Davis (30-0, 28 KOs), whose workforce was wearing “Ghostbusters” gear as he walked to the ring contained in the MGM Grand Backyard Enviornment to the film theme tune, took care of unbeaten prime contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin with relative ease to defend his WBA title at 135 kilos.

In his first combat since knocking out Ryan Garcia of their blockbuster pay-per-view card final April (with a 44-day jail time period in between for violating the phrases of his home arrest), the 29-year-old Davis regarded each menacing and spectacular in how he repeatedly walked down Martin (18-1, 12 KOs) earlier than viciously stopping him at 1:29 of Spherical 8.

After a gradual begin, which he ascribed to being rusty, Davis started to routinely stroll Davis from nook to nook and unleash energy photographs after taking away his opponent’s jab as a result of risk of his energy. Ultimately, that very same energy caught up with Martin as Davis landed a left uppercut within the nook to stun him earlier than almost knocking him out chilly with a left cross.

Martin, 29, was wobbly as he reached his toes on the rely of 10, however referee Harvey Dock waved off the combat after trying into his eyes.

“I used to be rusty nevertheless it was OK as a result of I am again,” Davis stated. “A few rounds, I felt like I fully wanted a warmup however its OK. His footwork wasn’t bothering me. I knew he would tire out. That is why we determined to only stand there and be a goal for him so he may tire himself out [throwing punches].”

Davis, who focused the physique all through, landed an absurd 53% of his energy photographs, in accordance with CompuBox, within the PBC on Prime Video PPV predominant occasion. Martin landed barely extra punches general (81 to 79) nevertheless it was the trademark effectivity of Davis that received out as he went on to land 44% of his complete punches.

“It was the uppercut [that hurt him]. Increase!” Davis stated. “I have been round for a very long time and I’ve been coaching since I used to be 7 and competing since I used to be 8. It is like second nature for me. It is nearly staying targeted and ensuring my thoughts is on the street to popping out on prime.”

Though Martin was in a position to acquire again respect at occasions by exploding out of the nook with clear left palms to maintain Davis trustworthy (whereas inflicting a bruise round his proper eye), he was by no means in a position to comply with up with something menacing sufficient to maintain Davis from unleashing relentless stress over the ultimate rounds.

“I really feel like, at first, I used to be in management however then I bought just a little too comfy,” Martin stated. “I finished doing my motion and as soon as I finished transferring, he was hitting me with large photographs. After I stopped doing my factor, he began hitting me large. It was simply me making an attempt to determine what I may do to attempt to decelerate the stress that was coming.”

After the combat, Davis would not decide to which fighter he hoped to focus on subsequent, even supposing rumors have swirled about his curiosity in title unification fights in opposition to fellow light-weight champions Vasiliy Lomachenko and Shakur Stevenson. Garcia, who was seated at ringside and sporting a t-shirt aimed toward Davis that stated, “Rematch Me Bitch,” on the again of it, climbed as much as the apron and embraced Davis as the 2 shared fun though there was no point out contained in the ring from Davis a few second combat.

One factor Davis did discuss was how a lot his current jail sentence, which stems again to a 2020 hit-and-run accident, has induced him to mature. The native of Baltimore has had a historical past of authorized troubles for assault and home violence.

“It made me a greater particular person with persistence and issues like that,” Davis stated. “Stuff in life you need to undergo it and never attempt to go round it. It has made me a greater particular person, a greater father and a greater athlete.”Most significantly, I wish to simply get again to the drafting board and simply get again to the gymnasium and keep targeted. I felt just a little rusty.”

The title bout headlined the a hundredth championship boxing occasion within the enviornment’s historical past, which dates again to 1993.

Elsewhere on the cardboard, David Benavidez picked up his first win at mild heavyweight with a call over veteran and former titleholder Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Benavidez, to the shock of many, was unable to attain a knockdown in opposition to a fighter who beforehand retired and was out of motion for 4 years. However now, Benavidez will get the prospect to maneuver on to potential title showdowns with both WBA champ Dmitry Bivol or unified king Artur Beterbiev. Plus, Alberto Puello scored the largest upset of the night time with a cut up determination win over Gary Antuanne Russell. And Carlos Adames picked up a call win over Terrell Gausha to retain his WBC middleweight title.

CBS Sports activities was with you all through your complete manner on Saturday with the stay outcomes and highlights beneath. 

Battle card, outcomes

• Gervonta Davis (c) def. Frank Martin through eighth-round knockout
• David Benavidez vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk through unanimous determination (116-112, 117-111, 119-109)
• Alberto Puello def. Gary Antuanne Russell through cut up determination (109-118, 115-112, 114-113)
• Carlos Adames (c) def. Terrell Gausha through unanimous determination (119-109, 118-110, 118-110)

Davis vs. Martin scorecard, stay protection