Gervonta Davis vs. Isaac Cruz battle results, highlights: “Tank” makes unanimous decision over opponent

When Isaac Cruz stepped in with just over a month’s notice to face Gervonta “Tank” Davis, many fans and members of the media thought Davis would face a much tougher test than his originally scheduled match with Rolando Romero. It’s hard to imagine it was wrong after Cruz was able to give Davis almost everything he could handle for 12 rounds at the Staples Center in Los Angeles before Davis managed to pull a tight unanimous victory.

Davis managed to get many of his trademark power shots in the rare role of a taller man in battle, but even though his heavy hooks and upper punches hit, Cruz never seemed hurt. It could be because Davis suffered a hand injury in the middle of the fight.

“I injured my left hand probably in the sixth inning, but I have to throw it,” Davis said after the match. “I have to go check it out. It’s shaking, but that’s what it is, it’s about sports.”

From the start clock, Cruz fought as almost always: dragging forward to close the distance and prevent the opponent from getting comfortable. Davis, a traditionally slow starter, made the necessary adjustments to Cruz’s style around the third round, picked up the top hat and used the move to prevent Cruz from getting in.

As the rounds progressed, whether it was a product of Cruz’s jaw, Davis ’hand, or both, it was clear that Cruz wasn’t going anywhere, and he began to turn the pace of the fight in his own direction, pulling ever closer to the scorecards as both men continued to make clean, powerful blows.

Davis was able to perform just a little better in just enough laps to win, including a round that proved to be the most important in the fight, with him grabbing a round of 12 places that probably saved him from the draw. official scorecards are 116-112, 115-113, 115-113.

Overtaking the victory keeps Davis in a stable position in the lightweight series. After George Kambosos Jr. was able to upset Teofimo Lopez on November 27 to conquer three of the four acclaimed lightweight world championships and Devin Haney defended his WBC championship with the victory over Joseph Diaz Jr. on Saturday, there may be big battles on the table.

After Davis had abandoned the idea of ​​a rematch with Cruz in a simple “no hell,” he was asked if he would stay in the lightweight series or move back to super-light for the next match.

“Whatever the best chance for me, I’m here for that, man,” Davis said before being asked who in the light series he’d most want to fight next. “All those guys are easy jobs. They’re easy jobs, man. Easy jobs. I’m a top dog.”

Cruz was just the second man to take Davis to the scorecards for Davis ’professional career. The final win broke Davis ’16 consecutive winning streak.

For his part, Cruz made demanding a rematch claiming to have won. Although a rematch seems unlikely, Davis made it clear that Cruz’s bold attempt had impressed.

“He’s an absolute warrior,” Davis said. “Even though he didn’t make a profit, the star was born tonight.”

CBS Sports was with you all the way through Sunday, so be sure to follow the live scores and highlights below.

Davis vs. Cruz battle card, odds

• Gervonta Davis def. Isaac Cruz by unanimous decision (116-112 115-113, 115-113)
• Sebastian Fundora def. Sergio Garcia by unanimous decision (115-113, 117-111, 118-110)
• Carlos Adames def. Sergi Derevjanchenko by majority vote (95-95, 97-93, 96-94)
• Eduardo Ramirez def. Miguel Marriaga by unanimous decision (99-90, 99-90, 99-90)

Davis vs. Cruz scorecard, live broadcast