Gervonta Davis returns to the ring for the first time since he stopped Ryan Garcia in April of 2023 on Saturday night with a tough match-up against the 18-0 Frank Martin.
Davis has become a full world champion since his last bout after Devin Haney vacated his WBA belt, so his meeting with Martin at the MGM Grand is a first defence for the Baltimore-native.
- GERVONTA DAVIS TO WIN BY KO/TKO/DQ
- GERVONTA DAVIS TO WIN IN ROUNDS 1-6
Davis Could Send Out Statement
Davis was last seen stopping Garcia in April last year and that victory looks even more impressive considering King Ryan has gone on to beat Haney, ending his unbeaten record, but a period of inactivity means he perhaps goes into Saturday's bout with a bit of a point to prove.
Martin shouldn’t be underestimated as the southpaw brings an 18-0 record to the table and has claimed back-to-back unanimous decision victories over previously unbeaten fighters in Michel Rivera and Artem Harutyunyan in his last two fights. The Ghost has faced opponents with unbeaten records in three of his last six contests and should head into his first world title shot in a confident mood, but Davis carries devastating power for a lightweight and that could prove the difference here.
Tank has 27 wins inside the distance in a 29-fight career, giving him a KO rate of 93%, and he has only been taken the full 12 rounds once in the professional ranks. Martin comes into the bout with an unbeaten record and he’s yet to be knocked down, but he hasn’t faced anyone with the same kind of power that Davis possesses either.
GERVONTA DAVIS TO WIN BY KO/TKO/DQ
Second Half The Time To Strike
Davis tends to do his best work in the second half of his fights and it could be a similar story again when he comes up against Martin.
Martin is an awkward fighter with excellent movement, and that should see him avoid getting drawn into too much trouble in the earlier rounds. However, as the challenger he will have to try and force the issue a bit if this is a close fight and Davis should be able to take his chances when they come along.
Davis has stopped six of his last seven opponents and all of those contests have reached the sixth round. Tank has the ability to bring an end to proceedings in one sustained move, but Martin is an elusive fighter and that should see him reach the second half of this contest in his first world title shot.
GERVONTA DAVIS TO WIN IN ROUNDS 1-6
