Gervonta “Tank” Davis celebrated a triumphant return to the ring after more than a year away, reaffirming his status as one of the top pound-for-pound boxers. In Las Vegas on Saturday, June 15, 2024, Davis showcased his formidable punching power in a dominant performance against Frank Martin, culminating in a knockout at 1:29 of the eighth round to retain his WBA lightweight championship.
“I knew the way he fell he wasn’t getting back up,” Davis remarked confidently.
With a series of precise right and left punches to Martin’s face, Davis secured victory, dealing Martin his first career loss after a string of 18 wins. Davis, known for his knockout prowess, improved his undefeated record to 30-0, with all but two victories coming by knockout.
Davis had predicted an eighth-round knockout prior to the fight, a forecast he jokingly referenced post-match, saying, “I was just throwing that out there. Next fight in the first round.”
The Baltimore native and resident, a significant favorite going into the bout, demonstrated his dominance in the ring. The event marked the 100th championship fight night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, showcasing Davis and Martin as the main attractions. Davis’s previous fight had been on April 22, 2023, when he secured a seventh-round knockout against Ryan Garcia at the T-Mobile Arena.
Despite Martin’s early success in winning two of the first three rounds, Davis quickly regained control, progressively wearing down his opponent with aggressive ring tactics. By the sixth round, Davis had the pro-Tank crowd of 13,239 roaring with anticipation as he relentlessly pursued Martin with powerful combinations.
The decisive moment came in the eighth round when Davis launched a swift offensive, ultimately knocking out Martin midway through the round. As Martin struggled to recover, Davis celebrated with a spectacular backflip off the ropes, sealing his triumphant return to the ring.
Reflecting on the fight, Martin acknowledged, “I got caught with a shot that I didn’t see. It came from underneath.”
