Gervonta Davis Thwarts Isaac Cruz’ Attack by Way of UD!
In his most recent tour of duty, regular WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (26-0, 24 KO’s) prevailed in splendid fashion. He achieved this by defeating the hard-nosed Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (22-2-2, 15 KO’s) by way of unanimous decision.
Cruz was actually a late replacement for Rolando Romero who had to bow out for legal reasons. Even though Cruz was not the original opponent, more than a few individuals viewed the challenger swap as an upgrade. The bout stood as Davis’ second outing of the year and the second defense of his regular WBA title.
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Davis made his initial splash when he stopped Jose Pedraza to win IBF world junior lightweight title in January of 2017. But after one title defense, he was stripped of the belt after failing to make weight against Francisco Fonseca in August of that year. He rebounded by winning the WBA world 130 pound belt in April of 2018. That has followed with the capturing of world titles at both 135 and 140 pounds.
Clearly this was a disappointing loss for Pitbull. Cruz, 23, had been enjoying an eleven-fight win streak after being saddled with a draw in his September 30, 2017 bout with Jose Calyecac. Despite his willingness to rise to the occasion against Davis, there is no denying that Tank represented his most polished and capable adversary to date. Given the amount of success that he enjoyed, there is little doubt that Pitbull will get another quality fight soon.
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WAR IN LOS ANGELES!
Pitbull got off to a good start by getting low and gluing himself in Davis’ face. When in punching range, he cranked his left hook to the head and body. His effective pressure dominated the action of the opening round. Tank began getting into somewhat of a groove in the final minute of the period. During the second round, Davis went uppercut crazy and sought to land that particular shot more than any other. Now that he was warmed up, Tank had the notably faster hands.
Throughout the third, Tank played the role of mobile counter-puncher; Cruz made this easy by crudely walking him down behind a non-existent jab. The Baltimore native continued to be the ring general, utilizing this style through the fifth. Tank dictated the sixth as well but Pitbull was making his presence felt. Since the opening period, he had remained faithful to his chopping body attack.
With the coming of the seventh, Tank put his foot on the gas in a major way. In this period, Davis upped his output and bounced a staggering amount of sharp hooks and uppercuts off Pitbull’s head. While he does not retreat, there is a sense that Cruz could be bothered by the pace. The eighth was a slower round. Having taken the mutual breather, the action ratcheted back up in the ninth.
The Pitbull fought with far more gusto and pressed Davis with renewed vigor, but over the last two minutes Tank’s pinpoint power shots were winning the day.
PHOTO FINISH
Cruz makes another power play in the tenth, where he found his greatest success when trapping Davis once in the corner and once along the ropes. Over the long haul however, Tank displayed some slick boxing skills and maneuvers. Neither did much of anything in the eleventh. In the twelfth and final round, Tank was essentially on his bike. Fighting as if his left hand was hurt, Davis would pop single shots with his lead hand and skate around the ring.
When the cards were read, Tank won a very tense unanimous decision victory.
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By: Bakari Simpson
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