Gervonta Davis’ debut at lightweight didn’t go exactly according to script. Again, we realize that’s an odd thing to say if you didn’t see the fight, considering Davis dropped Yuriorkis Gamboa three times en route to a 12th round stoppage, but there were some struggles, and those inside boxing saw them.
The 25-year-old Davis (23-0, 22 KO) had some issues with his stamina — not a huge shock after how bad he missed failing initially to make weight on Friday — and Gamboa (30-3, 18 KO) was able to hang on nearly the entire distance despite suspecting that he ruptured his Achilles tendon in his right leg on a second round knockdown.
There’s certainly still plenty of reason to suspect “Tank” Davis has a bright future, but there are new questions about him, particularly in a division where it seemed perhaps his power is not as shocking as it was at 130 pounds.
Here’s what some pros had to say on Twitter during and after the fight:
The courage Gamboa is showing is inspiring! Badly injured and absorbing some bombs, and light years removed from his prime he is still trying his best. As for Davis, lets just say Im about to vomit
— Russ Anber (@RussAnber) December 29, 2019
Man take his lil ass back too 130 , 135 we big boys up here
— Hank Lundy (@HammerinHank_L) December 29, 2019
Front runner
— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) December 29, 2019
Stay away from @VasylLomachenko and @Realdevinhaney
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) December 29, 2019
Davis tired and Gamboa is old
— Ryan Garcia (@KingRyanG) December 29, 2019
Tanks winning every round but not the performance I was expecting. Love the kid but...
— Ishé Oluwa Kamau Ali Smith (@IsheSugarShay) December 29, 2019
Love the kid but he needs to make major changes if he wants to last in this game. Should of happened 6 rds ago...
— Ishé Oluwa Kamau Ali Smith (@IsheSugarShay) December 29, 2019
His power will always be a game changer, the only person that can beat Tank is Tank himself. I’m going to stand by that
— Ishé Oluwa Kamau Ali Smith (@IsheSugarShay) December 29, 2019
I was more impressed with Gamboa’s heart than Tank’s ability tonight.
— Sergio Mora (@TheLatinSnake_) December 29, 2019
Learning experience for the young, undefeated champ.