The hard-hitting, undefeated World Super Featherweight Champion powers through Nunez with a series of power shots in the second round of their SHOWTIME main event on Saturday night.
BALTIMORE, MD — Gervonta Davis showed some poise in his homecoming title defense. Ricardo Nunez brushed him with a little right elbow as they walked by each other after the first round ended Saturday night before a sellout of 14,686 at the Royal Farms Arena.
Davis turned with a smirk, as if he suddenly noticed he was in a fight.
Then “Tank” steamrolled him, pummeling Nunez and forcing referee Harvey Dock to stop the fight at 1:33 of the second round to retain his WBA super featherweight title.
Davis (22-0, 21 KOs) landed two big lefts, then a right that throttled Nunez backwards. Dock stepped in immediately before chancing whether Nunez (21-3, 19 KOs) could continue.
“I saw (Nunez) get hit with a couple of big shots, and I decided to stop it,” Dock said. “I thought Nunez was defenseless at that point—and he was. Tank punched him and he kept on coming. Nunez dropped his hands and he was unable to defend himself so I have to stop the fight.”
As for Davis, he couldn’t have been more pleased. He spoke about going after more titles, namely IBF 130-pound champ Tevin Farmer. But mostly, he was happy he was able to put on a show for his hometown.
“It’s amazing to fight in front of my fans and friends,” Davis said. “It’s not only a win for me, but a win for Baltimore. He wasn’t ready at all times. I took advantage and I took the shot. I caught him with a good shot. I’m only 24 and I’m growing every day. I’m learning and progressing, I’m working.”
If he’s a work in progress, the finished product might be downright scary.
In the first, Davis unveiled his long, sharp jab. The southpaw showed great patience, considering all of the emotion charging the Royal Farms Arena. When the bell ended the round, Nunez threw out a nudge at the hometown guy as he walked back to his corner.
That seemed to grab Davis’ attention. Moments later, it was all over.
“I caught him with a really nice shot. That was it,” Davis said. “I have the WBA belt and I had the IBF. I want Farmer next. Tevin Farmer fought tonight and that fight can be made.”
It began with a flush left cross, followed by several more that snapped Nunez’s head back. Dock stepped in as the challenger sagged against the ropes.
Said Floyd Mayweather, who promotes Davis from his Mayweather Promotions outfit, “Tank is an unbelievable fighter. He’s something special. This is a pay-per-view star. He has the charisma and the will to win. He has a big heart and has a great team behind him.”
First knockout in five years for @gamboa, as he sends @Romancito77 to the canvas for the second time in round 2.#GamboaMartinez | #DavisNunez pic.twitter.com/nf08k4eR3S
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) July 28, 2019
Yuriorkis Gamboa explosive in return, stops Rocky Martinez in two
Yuriorkis Gamboa has been wanting to fight Gervonta Davis. The 37-year-old Cuban expatriate made a strong argument that he should be next to step in the ring with “Tank.”
Former three-time world champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez was no match for Gamboa’s superior hand speed. That was obvious within the first 20 seconds of the second round. Gamboa (30-2, 18 KOs) pounded Martinez with a right, which sent the 36-year-old veteran to the canvas for the first time.
About a minute later, another right, which landed square on Martinez’s face, ended it. Referee Bill Clancy saw enough, waving it over at 2:00 of the second in the scheduled 10-round lightweight fight.
According CompuBox ShoStats, Gamboa landed 49% of his power punches.
“I had said in the fighter meetings I have genetics. I have explosiveness and speed. I just have it,” Gamboa said through a translator. “I didn’t want to get desperate (after the first knockdown), but I knew it was a matter of time before I knocked him out.
“That’s the plan of the event. Next, me and Gervonta Davis.”
Controversial point deduction costs @CorralesJezreel a draw. @ladarius_miller takes home the W via split decision.#MillerCorrales | #DavisNunez pic.twitter.com/tfruXhVCiR
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) July 28, 2019
Ladarius Miller ekes by Jezreel Corrales
In a battle of southpaws on the televised opener, Ladarius Miller (20-1, 6 KOs) won a sloppy, 10-round split-decision over Panamanian Jezreel Corrales (23-3, 9 KOs).
After five rounds, the fight was close. With 1:30 left in the seventh, Miller landed a one-two that momentarily rocked Corrales. The veteran moved—and clinched—in order to recover.
Corrales switched to an orthodox style in the ninth, leading counter rights that connected. It appeared to be enough for Corrales to win the round, and possibly give him an edge entering the 10th.
In the last minute of the final round, Bovell called time to address loose tape on Corrales’ gloves. It gave Miller a break to catch his breath. With :46 left, the fighters got tangled and Corrales was tossed to the canvas. Corrales got back up with a flip, but he was penalized a point by Bovell.
Corrales held Miller’s right arm as he was falling. Maybe that’s why Bovell took the point away. If the point wasn’t taken, the fight would have ended in a draw.
Judges Larry Hazzard Jr. (96-93) and Dave Moretti (95-94) both had Miller winning, while Lynne Carter had it 96-93 for Corrales.
Corrales landed 83 of 398 total punches (21%), while Miller connected on 60 of 275 total punches (22%).
Javon Campbell won his pro debut, winning a four-round super bantamweight decision over Isau Duenez (1-9-1). DeMichael Harris, who was also making his pro debut, beat Terrance Harris (0-2) by first-round TKO at 1:41in a scheduled four-round super featherweight bout.
Other undercards results included Kenny Robles (7-1, 3 KOs) winning a six-round, unanimous decision over Shawn West (3-1, 2 KOs); super featherweight Jayson Velez (29-5-1, 21 KOs) stopping Hector Suarez (12-11-2, 6 KOs) at 2:07 of round seven; and super flyweight Dylan Price (9-0, 6 KOs) winning a unanimous eight-round decision over Samuel Gutierrez (16-24-6, 6 KOs).
In a scheduled eight-round super lightweight bout, Kareem Martin (12-2-1, 3 KOs) stopped Luis Avila (8-14-3, 5 KOs) when Avila couldn’t answer the bell for the fourth round, giving Martin a KO 3, at 3:00.
Baltimore native Malik Hawkins (16-0, 9 KOs) remained undefeated by winning an eight-round super lightweight decision over Johnathan Steele (9-5-1, 6 KOs). Malik Warren, another Baltimore native, made a successful pro debut with first-round stoppage at 2:57 over Davonte McCowen (0-1-1) in a scheduled four-rounder.
Warren, however, overcame some early trouble. The rangy McCowen slammed him with a few head shots, before Warren came charging back late in the round to get McCowen stuffed against the ropes when referee David Braslow stepped in to wave it over.
For a closer look at Davis vs Nunez, check out our fight night page.
- Topics
- Davis vs Nunez
- Gervonta Davis
