Gervonta Davis scores TKO win over Ricardo Nunez

Gervonta Davis earned an impressive win in his hometown Saturday night, defending his WBA Super Featherweight World Championship with a second-round technical knockout of mandatory challenger Ricardo Núñez from a sold-out Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore.  The victory was Davis’ 21st knockout in 22 professional fights.

“I’m always ready," said Davis.  "He wasn’t.  He wasn’t alert and I caught it with my third punch.  I got him with a body shot.  I caught him with a really nice shot.  That was it.”

Fighting in the first world title fight in Baltimore in nearly 50 years before 14,686 fans, Davis landed a series of brutal left hooks flush to Núñez’s face in the second round that sent the challenger stumbling into the ropes.  With Núñez (21-3, 19 KOs) leaning against the ropes and unable to defend himself, referee Harvey Dock stepped in to stop the contest at the 1:33 mark.

It was the second defense of the WBA belt for the 24-year-old, two-division world champion.

“I had the WBA belt and I had the IBF belt,” said the undefeated Davis. “Tevin Farmer fought tonight.  I want Tevin.  That’s a fight that can be made.  Let’s get it on later this year.”

After the fight, promoter Floyd Mayweather, who called Davis the future of boxing when he first won the title in 2017, lauded his star fighter.

“Tank is an unbelievable fighter,” Mayweather said.  “He’s something special.  This is a pay-per-view star.  He has the charisma and the will to win.  He has a big heart and has a great team behind him.”

In the televised co-feature, former two-division world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa turned back the clock with a sensational second round knockout of Roman “Rocky” Martinez.

The former Cuban Olympic Gold Medalist displayed the brilliant hand and foot speed that has been the hallmark of his career, and paired it with tremendous combo shots.  He came forward from the opening bell, pressing the action against Martinez, who is usually known as the aggressor.

“It’s genetics.  I have explosive power, I have speed,” said the 37-year-old Gamboa.  “Even at this age, I still have it. I put my work in the gym.  I prepared well for this fight and it showed tonight."

In the opening moments of the second round, Gamboa (30-1, 18 KOs) floored Martinez with a punishing left hook.  Martinez got up but Gamoba continued to press forward.  The second knockdown of the round was set up by another left hook followed by a powerful right to the face.  Stretching his jaw while on the canvas, Martinez (30-3-3, 18 KOs) failed to beat referee Bill Clancy’s 10 count.

The impressive victory may have earned Gamboa a shot at Gervonta Davis.

“I wanted a victory tonight so I can face Gervonta Davis next,” Gamboa said.  “That’s what I want.”

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com