Gervonta Davis Wins WBA Lightweight Title With 12th Round KO Against Gamboa

In his lightweight debut, Gervonta “Tank” Davis knocked out Yurkiorkis Gamboa in a one-sided 12th-round knockout victory on Saturday night at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

In Atlanta’s first title bout since Evander Holyfield-Vaughn Bean in 1998, Davis scored a trio of knockdowns before stopping a brave Yuriorkis Gamboa in Round 12. Davis (23-0, 22 KOs), who is undoubtedly one of boxing’s rising stars, went past the ninth round for the first time in his pro career and showed questionable stamina at times in the second half of the fight. 

According to CBS Sports, the former two-time super featherweight champion, Davis captured a vacant WBA secondary lightweight title in his first fight at 135 pounds. Unified champion Vasiliy Lomachenko remains the full WBA titleholder.

“Coming to this fight, I knew that Gamboa was a tough opponent,” Davis said. “Everybody was writing him off but I knew he was a vet. As you could see in the ring, I was catching him but he was still alert. I knew he was different from any opponent I have fought before as he fought Terence Crawford.”

Davis graded his overall performance during the bout a paltry C+.

“I believe my performance tonight was a C+,” Davis said. “[The weight] wasn’t really a problem it was just short timing and things like that. I blame myself and I don’t blame anyone around me. I blame myself and am continuing to learn.”

Davis out-landed Gamboa 120 to 78, according to CompuBox, and connected on 48% of his power shots. He also held a firm 46-to-19 advantage in body punches.

“2020 is going to be a big year,” Davis said. “I’m the top dog. As you know, there’s no safety on this glock so bring them on.”