“End of the Undefeated Reign”: Gervonta Davis Knocked Out by Naoya Inoue in an Epic Battle, Now Faces the True Challenge Against Canelo, Exclusive Video Revealed

In an event that has rocked the boxing world, Gervonta “Tank” Davis suffered his first professional loss on April 26, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, as he was spectacularly knocked out by Japan’s Naoya Inoue in a fight already being considered one of the most epic of the decade. Davis’s undefeated record (29-1, 27 KOs) came to an end in the seventh round, and now, with an exclusive video revealed at 11:00 PM PDT, the American faces a new and formidable challenge: a potential superfight against Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez. Here is the full analysis of this historic night and what’s next for “Tank.”

The Epic Battle: Davis vs. Inoue

The fight between Gervonta Davis and Naoya Inoue, nicknamed “The Monster,” was a clash of titans that kept the 20,000 fans at T-Mobile Arena on the edge of their seats. Davis, known for his devastating power, faced Inoue, the former undisputed bantamweight champion who had moved up in weight after unifying all the belts in 2023. Despite doubts about Inoue’s (22-0, 19 KOs) size at lightweight, the Japanese fighter proved why he is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

From the first round, Inoue showed surgical speed and precision, landing quick combinations that frustrated Davis. “Tank” responded with his trademark power, landing a left hook in the third round that shook Inoue, but the Japanese fighter stayed firm, absorbing the punishment with incredible resilience. In the sixth round, Inoue began to impose his pace, using his footwork to avoid Davis’s punches while landing an uppercut that opened a cut over the left eye of the American.

The decisive moment came in the seventh round, at 10:42 PM PDT. Inoue, capitalizing on an error from Davis when he lowered his guard, threw a right hook to the liver followed by a straight right to the jaw that sent “Tank” to the canvas. The referee stopped the fight immediately as Davis, visibly dazed, couldn’t get up. The T-Mobile Arena erupted in a mix of astonishment and applause, recognizing Inoue’s achievement in knocking down one of boxing’s biggest names.

Exclusive Video: Davis’s Reaction and the Canelo Challenge

At 11:00 PM PDT, an exclusive video published by ESPN Knockout on X showed the moments following the fight. In the locker room, Davis, with a swollen face and a look of disbelief, said: “He caught me with a perfect shot, no excuses. But this isn’t over, I’m going to come back stronger.” However, the most shocking part was the announcement from his team: Gervonta Davis is in talks to face Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez in a superfight tentatively scheduled for September 6, 2025, during the Mexican Independence Day weekend.

Canelo, who attended the event as a spectator, quickly responded. In an interview with DAZN at 10:50 PM PDT, the Mexican (62-2-2, 39 KOs) said: “Davis has heart, but if he wants to face me, it will be another level. What Inoue did today, I will do even faster.” Canelo’s statement lit up social media, with #DavisVsCanelo trending globally within hours. Fans are already speculating about how Davis, now facing his first loss, will handle the challenge of moving up in weight to face the pound-for-pound king at 168 pounds.

Analysis: What’s Next for Davis and Inoue?

Davis’s loss to Inoue marks the “end of the undefeated reign” he had maintained since his professional debut in 2013. Despite the loss, his bravery in facing such a formidable fighter as Inoue has been widely praised. Boxing analyst Teddy Atlas commented on his podcast at 11:30 PM PDT: “Davis showed courage, but Inoue is a phenomenon. Now, facing Canelo is a huge risk for Tank, especially after this hit to his confidence.”

For his part, Naoya Inoue, now 23-0, solidified his status as one of the best in the world. After the victory, Inoue expressed his desire to unify the titles at lightweight, aiming for the winner of the upcoming fight between Vasyl Lomachenko and Shakur Stevenson, scheduled for July 2025. “I want all the belts, no matter the division,” Inoue said at the post-fight press conference at 11:15 PM PDT.

Reactions from the Boxing Community

The boxing community was quick to react. Floyd Mayweather Jr., who recently made headlines for a video showing him “scared” during an incident in London, tweeted at 11:20 PM PDT: “Respect to Inoue, but Davis has to regroup. Canelo doesn’t play.” On the other hand, Ryan García, a former rival of Davis, showed no mercy, posting on Instagram: “I told you, Tank, you’re not invincible. Canelo is going to destroy you.”

Fans on X were divided. Some believe Davis should take some time off to recover before facing Canelo, while others see the superfight as an opportunity for “Tank” to redeem his legacy. One user wrote: “Davis vs Canelo would be crazy, but after today, I’m not sure Tank is ready for that level.” Another fan defended Davis: “A loss doesn’t define a champion. Tank will shut mouths against Canelo.”

The Road to Canelo: A Challenge Too Great?

Facing Canelo Álvarez, who comes off a unanimous decision victory over Edgar Berlanga in December 2024, represents the biggest challenge of Davis’s career. Moving up to 168 pounds to face the Mexican, who has dominated the middleweight and super-middleweight divisions, will be a real test for “Tank.” Experts are already debating whether Davis, known for his speed and power at 135 pounds, will be able to adapt to Canelo’s size and experience, as the 34-year-old is still a dominant force.

The exclusive video also showed Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, confirming the negotiations. “Gervonta wants the biggest challenges, and Canelo is the biggest,” Ellerbe said at 11:10 PM PDT. However, some analysts, like Dan Rafael, warn that the move may be premature. In an article published on Fight Freaks Unite at 11:45 PM PDT, Rafael wrote: “Davis needs a transition fight after this loss. Going straight against Canelo could end his career.”

The night of April 26, 2025, will go down in history as the day Gervonta Davis’s undefeated reign came to an end at the hands of Naoya Inoue in an epic battle. The knockout in the seventh round not only solidified Inoue as a living legend but also marked a turning point for Davis, who now faces the biggest challenge of his career against Canelo Álvarez. With an exclusive video revealing his team’s plans, the boxing world is on the edge of its seat, waiting for the next chapter of “Tank’s” career. Will Davis rise from this defeat and beat Canelo, or is this the beginning of a decline? Share your thoughts in the comments: Do you think Davis has what it takes to defeat Canelo?