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Gervonta Davis defended her title by unanimous decision.
Gervonta Davis won the lightweight title fight. (1:38)
12:14 AM
Gervonta Davis was supported by Floyd Mayweather and had a lot of knockouts.
The fight-ending shot never materialized as "Tank" had his promoter and mentor watching from the ringside. In fact, Cruz, a major favorite from Mexico, never appeared to be in danger.
Fans were expecting a spectacular performance from Davis, but he didn't deliver it, but he retained his secondary title with a harder-than- expected unanimous decision victory over Cruz on Sunday.
Two judges scored it 115-113 and a third scored it 116- 112 for the Baltimore native. Davis had never been extended the 12-round distance. He won a six-round fight in his ninth pro fight.
"I hurt my hand so I couldn't get him out of there," said Davis, a southpaw who barely threw a left hand over the final two rounds. He's a shorter fighter so I was throwing him down. I hit him with my knuckle and messed it up. I injured my hand in the sixth round.
There are punches.
Davis.
Cruz.
The total landed.
133
121
The total was thrown.
There is a new person in this picture
553
The percentage.
29%
22%
The man landed.
20
9
The jabs were thrown.
177
128
The percentage.
9%
8%
The power landed.
115
112.
The power was thrown.
335
A score of 425.
The percentage.
40%
26%
CompuBox
Cruz said that he saw that his hand wasn't working right around the fifth round.
It's clear that Davis failed to impress at a time when the lightweight division is hotter than ever. George Kambosos Jr. stunned Teofimo Lopez to win the undisputed lightweight title last week.
"Either guy is easy work, easy work, easy work man," Davis said of Ryan and Kambosos. I'm the top dog.
There is no doubt that he is a star power. Cruz gave Davis fits on Sunday night. He did it by applying pressure and attacking Cruz with a left hook. Cruz was following Davis around the ring.
"Pitbull" did not use a jab to close the distance. He chose to wing and forward shots. He connected on nine jabs in the main event, while Davis only connected on 20. The difference in the fight was Davis' punching and distance control.
The former 130-pound titleholder tried to use his opponent's aggression against him, but chose to box off the back foot. Davis was able to lead Cruz into a damaging counter left uppercut. Davis produced one of the best knockouts of 2020 when he hit Santa Cruz.
Cruz kept moving forward despite the shots.
Cruz said that "Pitbull" is always going to be on the attack. I think we retained our rhythm from the beginning to the end. We'll do it if the fans want a second fight.
When asked if a return bout was necessary, Davis said no.
Cruz won the opening round on all three cards, before Tank swept the next two rounds. Davis won the first four rounds unanimously before the fight really heated up.
Cruz and Davis both won Round 12 to avoid the draw.
Cruz was met by a shower of cheers after his spirited effort. He accepted the fight on about a month's notice after the fight was canceled due to a sexual assault allegation.
"They wanted 'Tank' to knock this guy out," he said. He lost since he didn't get the knockout tonight. It's bulls---.
The bout was Davis' first at 135 pounds since his 12th-round knockout of Gamboa. His last outing was at 140 pounds, where he defeated Mario Barrios. The Santa Cruz bout was decided at 130.
It is not clear which weight Davis will campaign for. He'll be ready to return to the ring in a few months.
"I need to get the hand checked out," Davis said. It is what it is. That's what happens with this sport.
The unexpected is what comes with boxing. Cruz shocked the world by pushing Davis to the brink, just like Kambosos did a week ago when he won the lightweight title.
The hottest division in boxing welcomes another player.
