Gervonta Davis’ homecoming fight was a complete success.
It took Davis less than five minutes to stop mandatory challenger Ricardo Nunez to retain the WBA super featherweight title. The fight headlined a Showtime-televised card from the Royal Farms Arena in Davis’ hometown of Baltimore and it was the first time a Baltimore native would defend a world title there in nearly 80 years.
While Nunez was game and more than willing to come forward and fight Davis, the champion had no problem tagging his opponent with body shots in the opening round. The second round, however, saw the fight go in a very different direction.
In the opening seconds of the second frame, Nunez managed to cut the ring off and briefly pressure Davis to the corner. Afterwards, Davis went to work, attacking the body before landing a vicious left hook upstairs. That punch led to a series of shots that included a punch from Davis that sent Nunez’s neck snapping back against the ropes and referee Harvey Dock put a stop to the contest 93 seconds into the round.
.@Gervontaa wants @TevinFarmer22
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) July 28, 2019
next #DavisNunez pic.twitter.com/1Z5OgIrsIh
It was Davis’ second defense of the belt since winning it back in April 2018 when he stopped Jesus Cuellar in Brooklyn. Davis followed it up with a first-round knockout victory over Hugo Ruiz in Carson, California this past January. Both of Davis’ previous bouts also headlined Showtime-televised cards.
After the fight, Davis called out IBF super featherweight champion Tevin Farmer, who was defending his title against Guillaume Frenois on a DAZN card in Texas at the same time, and believed a unification fight can be made next. But while Davis may have his sights set on Farmer, former world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa made his case for a title opportunity next.
.@Gervontaa wants @TevinFarmer22
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) July 28, 2019
next #DavisNunez pic.twitter.com/1Z5OgIrsIh
In the co-main event of the Showtime card, Gamboa scored his first victory inside the distance since late 2014 when he knocked out former super featherweight titleholder Rocky Martinez in the second round of their fight. Gamboa had been previously linked to a fight against Davis in the past before the WBA ordered Davis to fight Nunez next and after the fight, Gamboa said he wants to face the Baltimore native next.
