GERVONTA DAVIS knocked out Leo Santa Cruz in sensational fashion with a stunning left uppercut.
Davis landed the shot in round six of what was a thrilling fight between the pair in front of a limited crowd at the Alamodome in Texas.
Gervonta Davis knocked out Leo Santa Cruz in sensational fashion with a stunning left uppercutCredit: Sean Michael Ham/Mayweather Promotions
Davis landed the shot in round six of what was a thrilling fightCredit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
The 25-year-old – who closed the show in front of mentor Floyd Mayweather – reclaimed the super-featherweight title.
Afterwards, Davis said: “He was just right there for it. He’s a guy that he punches but he doesn’t try and get out of the way when he punches.
“There’s nowhere he could have went as the ropes were there, that’s how a professional fighter knows, they adapt to the fight.
“He’s a tough warrior, a strong Mexican, he came to fight, he came ready but I was just a better person tonight.”
Davis began the opening stages of the fight on the back foot, as Santa Cruz came forward with combinations.
The Baltimore banger, known as ‘Tank, looked to land the more telling single blows, whereas Santa Cruz was throwing in numbers.
As the early rounds racked up, Davis began to find his rhythm and judge range better, scoring with left uppercuts and lead right hooks.
Santa Cruz’s speed was still apparent, which forced his man onto the ropes, but the Mexican lacked the power to really put a dent in Davis.
The left uppercut left Santa Cruz out for the count Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
By round four, Santa Cruz looked to be slowing down as he began to retreat backwards.
Davis, walking his smaller opponent down, started to invest in body punching as the fight played out on the inside.
Heading into round five, the American star did so on top, as Mayweather let out a celebration ringside.
Santa Cruz continued to plod forward but began to get countered, as Davis’ jab and body shots caught the eye.
As the bell sounded for the sixth, Santa Cruz got back on the front foot and the duo began to trade heavy hooks in close.
Davis landed with a big uppercut but was immediately countered and appeared momentarily wobbled.
He retaliated by forcing Santa Cruz into the corner, where he unleashed the show-stopping left uppercut.
Davis poses with the two WBA titles he walked away with Credit: Sean Michael Ham/Mayweather Promotions
Floyd Mayweather pictured with Davis post-fight Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
Davis slipped on the outside and bowled in an uppercut that bounced off Santa Cruz’s chin and left the 32-year-old knocked out cold.
The result saw Davis win the WBA super-featherweight title as well as retaining his ‘Regular’ lightweight belt.
Having jumped between the divisions, the two-weight champion revealed he is ready to campaign at both 130lb and 135lb.
Davis said: “I’ll maintain it at both.
“Whatever best decision that my team and I come up with we’ll go with it but the best opportunity to fight, I’m not ducking or dodging nobody.
“As you know, there’s no safety on this block.
“I’m a pay-per-view star, second I ain’t ducking or dodging nobody, they know what it is, I’m No1, it showed tonight.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
