Davis shows respect for Santa Cruz and father
Halloween 2020 will be a day people will remember. On a night that saw fights from some of the major networks in boxing, the one fight that had everyone buzzing on every social media platform was WBA ‘regular’ lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (24-0, 23ko) vs WBA junior lightweight champion “El Terremoto” Leo Santa Cruz (37-2-1, 19ko).
The build-up for most big fights normally involves fighters publicly attacking each other. There is some form of animosity to get people eager to see these warriors throw hands in the ring.
THE ANTICIPATION OF A GREAT FIGHT
In this fight which was titled “Two Belts, Winner Takes All”, both champions fought as if there were more than just belts on the line. Furthermore, the champions understood that in their first pay-per-view fight it had to be exciting, and a victory was going to add to their legacy.
This fight took us back in time even a little bit, as Davis came to the ring in a Mexican outfit; a reminder of when his promoter, Floyd Mayweather, did the same thing back in 2007 against Oscar De La Hoya.
Furthermore, if you have been following the Showtime all-access seriously, then it was revealed that the Mexican champion’s father had to miss some training camp time battling COVID-19. On two occasions, the family almost lost him. So you can imagine how inspiring it was for the four-divisional champion to be walking with his father to the ring together.
LIVING UP TO EXPECTATIONS
Moreover, this fight also had a limited amount of fans in the stand, so there was a small element of that big fight sensation. Then the bell rang, and both champions skipped the feeling out process and got right down to business.
It was an epic back and forth battle as the combination punches of the Mexican champion were being challenged by the power punches of the Baltimore champion. After every bell of each round, fans were on the edge of their seats.
Then came the best round of the fight. The sixth round was epic as both men were throwing leather until an explosion happened. When the power-punching Baltimore fighter landed a knockout of the year candidate punch, it was a brutal left uppercut that had Santa Cruz seemingly lifeless on the canvas. Instantly, the ref waived the fight over.
TWO WARRIORS SHARING A MOMENT
It was a knockout that had fans in attendance on their feet and those watching from home calling people asking if they just saw what happened. Of course, on social media, you had stars like former NBA basketball player Ervin “Magic” Johnson and current mega-star Lebron “LBJ” James tweeting about what the fight.
However, high praise goes to the fighters themselves. After every fight, each corner exchanges pleasantries in a show of respect. But with Santa Cruz being ushered back to the dressing room to be examined, we did not get the post-fight embrace that is shared by the two warriors.
Instead, it was on social media where the former WBA junior lightweight champion congratulated his counterpart, and Davis, now the holder of two belts in different weight classes. He would reciprocate the same level of respect to a fallen warrior and the father of team Santa Cruz.
By: Garrisson Bland
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