WBA Super World super featherweight champion Gervonta Davis capped off his Baltimore homecoming in empathic fashion, producing a second round technical knockout against mandatory challenger Ricardo Núñez at the Royal Farms Arena.
Fighting for the first time at home as a world champion, and in the first world title fight in Baltimore in nearly 50 years, Davis emphasised why he’s considered one of boxing’s brightest young stars. After a first round where he peppered Núñez to the body, Davis landed a series of brutal left hooks flush to Núñez’s face that sent the challenger stumbling into the ropes in the second. With Panama native Núñez leaning against the ropes and seemingly unable to defend himself, referee Harvey Dock stepped in to stop the contest at 1:33.
The whirlwind stoppage was Davis’ 21st knockout in 22 professional fights, and perhaps his most memorable before more than 14,000 delighted fans.
“Tonight, we showed out,” Davis said. “It’s amazing to fight in front of my hometown fans, my family. It’s an incredible feeling. It’s not just a win for me, it’s a win for Baltimore. I want to do it again.
“I’m always ready. 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.”
It was the second defence 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.”