The city of Baltimore is known for the Ravens, Orioles, and the best crab cakes in the country. The city of Atlanta is known for the Falcons, Hawks, Braves, and for being the number one city for economic prosperity among African-Americans. Neither city has a rich history of hosting premier boxing matches. Despite the fact that Baltimore and Atlanta are nontraditional hosts for boxing, Gervonta “Tank” Davis was able to produce sellout crowds in both cities. His fight July 27 at Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore produced a sellout crowd of 14,686. His fight on December 28 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta generated a sellout crowd of 14,129. Davis started 2019 off with a January bout in Los Angeles. He fought in front of a sellout crowd of 8,048 at the Dignity Health Sports Park.
On December 28 the lead boxer for Mayweather Promotions took his talents to Atlanta to face what was advertised as his most dangerous opponent. The two would square off for the vacant lightweight world title.
Yuriorkis Gamboa is a 38-year-old former unified featherweight champion. His skills and experience created intrigue in reference to his bout with Davis. In front of a star-studded crowd, Gervonta Davis walked to the ring with rappers Lil Baby and Casanova by his side. Once he entered the ring he was all business as he knocked Gamboa down in the second round. Gamboa suffered an Achilles injury, but he showed the heart of a champion as he continued to fight. Unfortunately for Gamboa, he got knocked down again in the eighth, and one final time in the 12th round. Gamboa hit Davis with some good shots, but he didn’t show the speed and reflexes fans are accustomed to seeing him display.
Gervonta Davis took his time and fought a calculated fight versus an experienced opponent. He hit Gamboa with good clean power shots, but he didn’t force the issue. Davis was poised as he set up his punches, and stuck to the game plan. “Patience was definitely part of it. In the fourth, I was touching him and I was hurting him, but the shots I was catching him with- he would not go down. I just used my jab to loosen him up and get him tired.”
In the co-feature, Mayweather Promotions was represented by light heavyweight challenger Badou Jack. He was involved in an exciting match with the champion Jean Pascal. The slugfest was a tale of two halves. In the first half of the fight, Pascal seemed to have the advantage. Pascal capped off his fast start by knocking Jack down in the fourth round. In the second half of the fight, Badou Jack took control. He returned the favor as he knocked Pascal down in the 12th round. The judges would have the final say on the entertaining contest. In the end, Jean-Pascal was awarded the split decision victory.Â
The city of Baltimore and Mayweather Promotions was represented well on the undercard. A product of Baltimore, Mia Ellis is a boxer Gervonta Davis refers to as his “little sister”. In her boxing debut, Ellis used ferocious overhand rights to beat Uneaka Best in 52 seconds. Baltimore natives and Mayweather Promotions roster members Malik Warren and Malik Hawkins both scored knockout victories. Malik Warren knocked Trayvion Butts down three times before the bout was stopped in the second round. Malik Hawkins was awarded a TKO victory when Darwin Price suffered a leg injury trying to avoid a punch in the 5th round. The talented undercard trio out of Baltimore, Maryland are all products of Coach Kenny Ellis, and Coach Calvin Ford’s Upton Gym.
Gervonta Davis, who is also a member of the Upton gym alumni is currently the biggest and brightest star. His knockout victories are fan-friendly. Many are lured in by his knockout power but we need to start giving Davis more respect for his ring IQ. Davis uses a variety of ways to set his opponent up for the knockout. Gervonta Davis had an incredible 2019. He had three opponents which resulted in three knockout victories. Davis had a stellar 2019, but he has the potential to have a better year in 2020. With his power, ring generalship, and boxing savvy, Gervonta “Tank” Davis is destined to be the next pay per view star.
Photos by Amanda Westcott/Showtime
