PBC Boxing; MGM Grand Garden Arena: Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas has always been home to amazing finishes in the sweet science. And in the 100th fight card in the confines of the MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA, it was another spectacular finish. Picking up his 28th knockout in thirty-fights is again Gervonta Davis. And for all his nonsense away from the ring, and the naysayers with “he’s been protected by Floyd”; it’s time to say it. Yea; he’s just that darn good.
While Frank Martin tried to improve on the Ryan Garcia gameplan, it ended with the same result. Frank was on his bike from the get-go, taking the early rounds with his solid jab and above average footwork. But Tank was slowly creeping forward getting Martin backed up in the corner. In space; when there was some, Martin was starting to bite on some feints. Once the pace slowed just enough, that’s when the Tank started to roll. Despite his face wearing some bruising.
In round-six Davis really got goingas Martin’s combo’s weren’t as stinging as they were earlier. Once again in the corner in round-eight the WBA lightweight champion connected with the most dangerous punch in the sport; an uppercut and followed it with a rim rocking left hand, crashing Martin to the mat at 1:29 for the finish.
Can Anyone Stop this Tank, Since He’s Just That Darn Good
Two things that glaringly don’t get talked about enough is the work that CALVIN FORD has done with him, and his in-ring IQ.
Ford’s like a father figure to him, while some may say he’s a glorified cheerleader. He’s actually pretty good at breaking down opponents. They knew that Martin’s cardio would be a factor and they just needed to take that away slowly. And then the openings would present themselves. Which for the 30th time they did.
The 29-year old southpaw has been chirping for awhile now with Shakur Stevenson. One of Bob Arum’s young guns. And for all his talent, it would go horribly bad for him to face Tank anytime soon. If Davis’s stint in jail has truly humbled him, all those at 135, most at 140, and even a couple at 147 better look out. Stevenson’s best trait is he’s fast, but not faster than anyone Tank has faced. And he surely doesn’t have the dynamite in the gloves that will floor him.
The real ultimate cat and mouse game would be the talked about scrap with him and Vasiliy Lomachenko. Loma and his team are the best at breaking down opponents. But as with Stevenson, a negotiation between Arum and Mayweather would be interesting in itself. Loma’s footwork is the best in the game, as his in ring IQ. But the power and patience that Davis has shown is beginning to be next level stuff.
Look, is Davis untouchable? No. He’s gotten tagged. But even the great LOMA doesn’t have the firepower alone to take his “0”. The shots would come in a flurry from every angle. And one could imagine Davis just standing center ring feinting, and once Lomachenko bites, the explosive firepower could put the Ukrainian’s lights out.
Perhaps that’s why Davis chose not to call someone out. Like the Jefferson’s perhaps he knows deep down he’s movin’on up… for good.
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