Gervonta Davis makes a first appearance of 2024 this Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, as he defends his WBA lightweight title against Frank Martin.
Amazon Prime pay-per-view is the place to watch Davis vs Martin live.
Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) is a pound-for-pound star, and a three-weight world champion, but the Baltimore native is craving career-defining fights.
After first becoming world champion way back in 2017, stopping Jose Pedraza in seven for the IBF super featherweight crown, ‘Tank’ would add the WBA belt before moving up to take the vacant WBA lightweight title with a tenth round stoppage of Yuriorkis Gamboa in 2019.
It looked like lift off for Davis after knocking Leo Santa Cruz out in six in October 2020, and halting Mario Barrios to become WBA super lightweight champion six months later, but he settled for three defences of his 135 pound belt, defeating Isaac Cruz (UD12), Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero (TKO6) and Hector Luis Garcia (TKO9).
The bigger the test though, the better the 29-year-old is, and his last outing came last April, when he knocked out Ryan Garcia in seven.
Martin (18-0, 12 KOs) looks a solid enough contender, with the southpaw going the championship distance in his last two contests.
After widely outscoring Michel Rivera in December 2022, he then took the unbeaten record of Artem Harutyunyan last July, but he is going up several levels here against his compatriot.
Prediction: Davis won’t look past Martin, who should provide a decent test here. The champion is a special talent though, and I expect him to retain his belt by breaking Martin down for a stoppage in the later rounds.
Benavidez battles Gvozdyk
The undercard sees David Benavidez in action, and he makes his light heavyweight debut, contesting the interim WBC title against former WBC champion at the weight, Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) is still chasing a meeting with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, and is coming off an impressive sixth round retirement win against Demetrius Andrade last November.
Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) lost his world title when ahead on two cards against Artur Beterbiev in 2019, stopped in ten rounds, and he then took over three years off from the sport, before returning for three contests in 2023, the last a second round knockout of Isaac Rodrigues last September.
Prediction: Benavidez is probably facing Gvozdyk at the right time, and he can secure victory here inside the distance.
Adames clashes with Gausha
Carlos Adames has been upgraded to full WBC middleweight champion, and his meeting with Terrell Gausha (24-3-1, 12 KOs) could well be a tasty one.
Prediction: I favour Adames (23-1, 18 KOs) to retain with a late stoppage.
Russell faces Puello
Another interim WBC title is on the line at super lightweight, and Gary Antuanne Russell (17-0, 17 KOs) can win the battle of unbeatens with another inside schedule victory, this time against Alberto Puello (22-0, 10 KOs).
In ten rounders, former WBC featherweight champion Mark Magsayo (25-2, 17 KOs) should be able to stop Eduardo Ramirez (28-3-3, 13 KOs) in their super featherweight contest, and at welterweight, Roiman Villa (26-2, 24 KOs) can score an early win against Ricardo Salas Rodriguez (19-2-2, 14 KOs) after being defeated in ten by Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis last time out.
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Remaining Undercard
At middleweight, Elijah Garcia (16-0, 13 KOs) may need the cards to see off Kyrone Davis (18-3-1, 6 KOs).
In the sole eight rounder, Daniel Blancas (9-0, 4 KOs) should defeat Aro Schwartz (23-7-1, 15 KOs) on points in their super middleweight affair.
In six round action, super featherweight prospect Justin Viloria (5-0, 3 KOs) can take a win over the distance against Angel Antonio Contreras (15-8-2, 9 KOs) at super featherweight, and at featherweight, Kevin Ayala (5-0, 2 KOs) can do the same against Jimmy Delgadillo (5-0, 3 KOs).
In a super lightweight meeting, Stacey Selby (5-0, 4 KOs) should halt Kevin Walker (1-2-1).
Four rounders round off the card. Super featherweight hope, Mia Ellis (7-2, 6 KOs) can outpoint Margaret Whitmore (2-0), and super bantamweight debutant, Brayan Gonzalez can begin with a stoppage win over James Mulder (0-1).
At featherweight, Reina Tellez (7-0-0, 5 KOs) should get the better of Beata Dudek (4-1, 4 KOs) over the distance.
