It’s unclear just which weight that Gervonta Davis wishes to maximise his potential at, but for now he defends his secondary WBA super lightweight title this Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles against late notice replacement, Isaac Cruz.
Davis vs Cruz will be televised on SHOWTIME in the USA on pay-per-view, although a UK broadcaster is yet to be confirmed.
Baltimore’s Davis (25-0, 24 KOs), has expressed a desire to take on undisputed ten stone world champion, Josh Taylor, but in the wake of George Kambosos Jr dethroning unified lightweight champion, Teofimo Lopez, he may decide to pursue options at 135 pounds instead.
Rolando Romero was due to be Davis’ opponent, but he was withdrawn following sexual assault allegations, and in steps Mexico’s Cruz (22-1-1, 15 KOs).
’Tank’ Davis is being moulded in the footsteps of his promoter, the great Floyd Mayweather Jr and has captured gold in three different weight classes so far.
After a spell as IBF and WBA champion at super featherweight, Davis moved up to lightweight in December 2019, stopping Yuriorkis Gamboa in the final round to win the vacant WBA ‘regular’ crown.
October last year saw him score a textbook knockout of Leo Santa Cruz, in a fight which had his WBA lightweight title on the line as well as Santa Cruz’s WBA super featherweight crown.
In his last fight, he dropped Mario Barrios three times before halting the previously unbeaten Texan in eleven to win the WBA ‘regular’ title at super lightweight.
‘Pitbull’ Cruz is unbeaten since 2016 when he lost an eight round decision in his native Mexico.
The 23-year-old is on a decent run, knocking out Diego Magdaleno in a round in October last year, and followed that up with points wins against Jose Matias Romero and Francisco Vargas. The visitor is durable, and will come to win.
Prediction: Davis is a special talent, and I can’t see him tasting defeat here. After bamboozling Cruz with his spiteful southpaw style, I fancy Davis to get the job done in the championship rounds.
Garcia faces Fundora
A decent looking clash takes place at super welterweight, where former European champion, Sergio Garcia (33-0, 14 KOs) takes on Sebastian Fundora (17-0-1, 12 KOs) over a scheduled twelve.
Garcia gets some long overdue exposure in the USA, and is probably best remembered for a brutal 2019 points win over Ted Cheeseman in London, but has mainly fought in his native Spain.
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Prediction: Fundora can bang, and has won his last three early, but I lean towards Garcia scoring a clear points win.
Derevyanchenko battles Adames
Sergey Derevyanchenko (13-3, KO10) has lost three of his last four, but in elite class, and he returns here for a ten rounder against Carlos Adames (20-1, 16 KOs) at middleweight.
Derevyanchenko has lost in world title efforts against Daniel Jacobs, Gennady Golovkin and Jermall Charlo last September, while Adames’ sole loss was in a WBO interim super welterweight title challenge to Patrick Teixeira in 2019.
Prediction: Derevyanchenko can take a lively one on the cards.
Ramirez meets Marriaga
A crossroads ten round contest at featherweight sees Eduardo Ramirez (25-2-3, 12 KOs) meet former three-time world title challenger, Miguel Marriaga (30-4, KO26).
Prediction: Marriaga has mixed in the better company, and can win inside schedule.
Arias clashes with Alexander
A super welterweight attraction over ten rounds sees Luis Arias and Vaughan Alexander.
Arias (19-2-1, 9 KOs) was winless in three fights, but returned after a near two-year lay-off to score a massive split decision upset win over Jarrett Hurd in June.
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Prediction: Alexander (15-6-1, 9 KOs) has lost three of his last four contests, with the other a draw, and Arias can take a win around halfway here.
Remaining Undercard
In six round action, Ava Knight (19-2-5, 5 KOs) may need the distance to defeat Nancy Franco de Alba (19-15-2, 5 KOs) in their bantamweight contest, while at super featherweight, Malik Warren (5-0, 5 KOs) can keep his perfect record in tact with an early win over Eric Manriquez (7-12-1, 3 KOs).
#dec5th 👑 @MayweatherPromo @LEllerbe pic.twitter.com/m7fCwW2VHO
— Malik Warren 5-0 & 5KO’s 👑✨ (@leaktheboxer2) December 2, 2021
The four rounders should see early wins for Jalil Major Hackett (2-0, 2 KOs) in his welterweight outing against Daryn Leyva (1-2-1, 1 KO) and for Carlos Garcon (2-0, 2 KOs) at heavyweight against Jason Soto (3-1-1, 3 KOs).
Mia Ellis (2-0, 2 KOs) may require the scorecards to taste victory against Elizabeth Tuani (1-4).
