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Boxing

Gervonta Davis delivers scintillating eighth-round KO of Frank Martin

Mark Lelinwalla2 min read
Gervonta Davis delivers scintillating eighth-round KO of Frank MartinEsther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions
Another highlight-reel stoppage for "Tank."

Gervonta “Tank” Davis kept walking Frank Martin down, trapping "The Ghost" in the corners.

Then, during the eighth round, "Tank" finally made good on being a Ghostbuster. He buzzed Martin with a left uppercut before knocking him out with a left cross on the jaw to retain the WBA lightweight world championship at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night.

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"Boom, that's (the uppercut) what it was ... the brick hand just finished it off," Davis told Jim Gray while reacting to the replay of his dynamic stoppage. "God damn."

With the victory, the 29-year-old Davis not only retained his title after a 14-month layoff to improve to 30-0 with 28 knockouts, but also added to his highlight reel of electric finishes which arguably make him the most exciting boxer in the sport today.

The thunderous ending came after Martin had success in earlier rounds, asserting the jab and moving around the ring to frustrate "Tank" and even bruise the champ's face.

However, Davis increased his pressure by the round and repeatedly trapped Martin in the corners and against the ropes, delivering chopping left hands with each encroachment. That hot pursuit was really turned up a notch in the seventh round, before "Tank" unleashed his vaunted explosive power to hand Martin (18-1, 12 KOs) his first pro loss.

"It was a shot I didn't see," Martin said afterwards of the left hand that laid him flat on his back.

Here's how the entire Davis vs. Martin pay-per-view main card went.

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AS IT HAPPENED

This event has finished
6 months ago 04:10

"Tank" knocks Martin out in scintillating fashion!

Davis once again traps Martin in the corner and is hacking away with chopping left hands. A left uppercut buzzes Martin! And a straight left across the jaw lays Martin flat on his back! Davis is celebrating on the ropes while the ref counts and Martin is knocked out! "Tank" promised a knockout and delivered! "Tank's" explosive power is absolutely scintillating!
6 months ago 04:05

Davis-Martin; Round 7

The second half of the fight begins with Martin pumping the jab. A crunching left uppercut to the body is followed by a chopping right hand to the temple from "Tank." Martin moves out of harm's way but Davis keeps pressuring. More chopping punches and a body shot. A slicing combo lands for the champ who is gaining momentum now. "Tank" goes to the body and slings a punch flush to Martin's face. A big counter left hook from Martin seems to jolt Davis! Prior to that it was all Davis. (10-9 Davis, 67-66 Davis)

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6 months ago 04:01

Davis-Martin; Round 6

Even exchange of pointed left hands gives way to Davis crowding Martin's space and catching him with chopping left hands. A right jab-left hook combo lands for Davis before Martin counters. "Tank," really in hot pursuit, records his best round yet. (10-9 Davis, 57-57)
6 months ago 03:57

Davis-Martin; Round 5

Martin is level-changing well with a left upstairs and a body shot. Yet, it's "Tank" plowing forward and trapping Martin in the corner, unloading power shots. Davis is repeatedly walking Martin down. An uppercut-right hook combo lands for the champ. A straight straight-uppercut combo lands for Davis, too. (10-9 Davis, 48-47 Martin)
6 months ago 03:54

Davis-Martin; Round 4

"Tank" with a crunching body shot as he continues to walk down Martin. A lead left from Davis lands and another. A slicing uppercut followed by a slick left lands for "Tank." Vicious output from the champ. Martin can't afford to take many of those. (10-9 Davis, 39-37 Martin)
6 months ago 03:49

Davis-Martin; Round 3

Martin starts with a three-punch combo which is defended well. "Tank" is increasingly closing the gap and getting closer to "The Ghost." A left hand comes around the guard of Martin and lands for Davis. A body shot followed by a left across the jaw from the champ now, too. A counter left from Martin backs up an encroaching Davis. You just get the feeling that "Tank" is about to land something big as he walks Martin down — especially in the corner. A stinging combo lands for Martin. A straight right brushes Martin back. (10-9 Martin, 30-27 Martin)
6 months ago 03:45

Davis-Martin; Round 2

Martin flashes the right hand before ducking and depositing a left jab to the body to start. Martin is moving around the ring very well, peppering shots and keeping it going. Now, Davis lands and gives chase before the two swing and miss wildly. Martin splits Davis' guard twice, while moving laterally. (10-9 Martin, 20-18 Martin)
6 months ago 03:41

Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin; Round 1

"Tank" comes out keeping a high, tight guard while trying to download information. Martin uses the time to try to assert the jab. Martin catches Davis with a left to the body and another upstairs. Moments later, Martin wraps a left around Davis' guard. Like Davis, Martin is a southpaw. He outlands the champ, 11-3, and takes the first round. (10-9 Martin)
6 months ago 03:40

Both fighters have been formally introduced

The referee, Harvey Dock, has given instructions and here we go!
6 months ago 03:35

The champ is here

His walk to the ring starts off with the Ghostbusters theme as a response to Frank "The Ghost" Martin's moniker. His team are also decked out in Ghostbusters t-shirts. Well played, "Tank."
6 months ago 03:34

Here comes the challenger Frank Martin

The Detroit representative has a light bounce in his step as he makes his walk to the ring in his first world title shot.
6 months ago 03:20

It's time for the main event!

Will Gervonta "Tank" Davis (29-0, 27 KOs), after a 14-month layoff, clinch his 30th career win and retain the WBA lightweight world title in the process? Or will Frank "The Ghost" Martin (18-0, 12 KOs) pull off the shocking upset in the biggest bout of his career? We're about to find out!
6 months ago 03:19

"Tank" is putting in his final preparations

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6 months ago 03:15

David Benavidez cruises to unanimous decision

Judges see it 116-112, 117-111 and 119-109 all for "The Mexican Monster" Benavidez who grabs the interim WBC light heavyweight world championship. After the fight, he rates his performance a 7 of 10, saying he needed to get over a cut on his left eye and a torn tendon in his right hand sustained during training. Still, Benavidez passes his first test at 175 pounds.
6 months ago 03:12

Benavidez-Gvozdyk; Round 12

Benavidez's volume is way down but he's still reaching into his bag and selecting the right punches at the right time. Gvozdyk is sitting on his punches, landing some, but Benavidez is seconds away from being named an interim light heavyweight world champ. (10-9 Benavidez, 119-109 Benavidez)
6 months ago 03:10

Benavidez-Gvozdyk; Round 11

A vet like Gvozdyk knows he's behind on the scorecards and in need of a knockout and he's acting accordingly, letting his hands go considerably more. That uptick allows him to connect on punches and counterpunches as he brings the fight to Benavidez. (10-9 Gvozdyk, 109-100 Benavidez)
6 months ago 03:05

Benavidez-Gvozdyk; Round 10

Benavidez does appear to be fatigued but it's not stopping him from diversifying his punches and delivering piercing shots to the body and across the jaw. Gvozdyk counters some shots but it's seemingly the ones that Benavidez allows him too. The way Benavidez slings his punches is a sight to behold. (10-9 Benavidez, 100-90 Benavidez)
6 months ago 02:59

Benavidez-Gvozdyk; Round 9

Pointed precision from Benavidez who has dropped off with his volume but is accurate as ever in his servings, splitting Gvozdyk and slinging punches around it as well. Benavidez is in firm control. (10-9 Benavidez, 90-81 Benavidez)
6 months ago 02:55

Benavidez-Gvozdyk; Round 8

A right hand comes looping around Gvozdyk's guard before Benavidez digs to the body with two lefts. Sequences later it's him doubling up with a right upstairs. Benavidez is sporting a cut on his left eye — something to monitor. (10-9 Benavidez, 80-72 Benavidez)
6 months ago 02:53

Benavidez-Gvozdyk; Round 7

It's Gvozdyk who's landing plenty of shots this round as Benavidez seemingly takes some rest leaning against the ropes. Just when it looks like Gvozdyk has the round, Benavidez snatches it with a pointed flurry during the final seconds. (10-9 Benavidez, 70-63 Benavidez)