There isn’t many better power punchers than Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and in 2020, he drew comparisons to Mike Tyson by flooring a four-weight world champion with one punch.
After dropping down from lightweight, Gervonta Davis decided to take on Leo Santa Cruz for the WBA super featherweight world title.
Santa Cruz was a four-weight world champion heading into the bout and was considered to be the toughest opponent Tank would face in his career to date.
However, the American made a mockery of those statements and delivered a performance for the ages in what was his pay-per-view debut.
Gervonta Davis floors Leo Santa Cruz with devastating one-punch shot
After a ding-dong battle over the first four rounds, Davis began to unleash his power and wear Santa Cruz down.
With each blow that landed, Santa Cruz became more and more vulnerable and as he smelt blood, Davis landed the shot of his career.
A crushing uppercut shot from ‘Tank’ sent his opponent crashing straight down to the canvas in the sixth round.
The four-weight champion was left to lay on the floor unconscious as the referee waved off the contest and handed a career-best victory for Davis.
It would be a win that would see Davis move up to super lightweight and go on to face the likes of Ryan Garcia. His Mexican counterpart on the other hand hasn’t fought since suffering a second professional career defeat.
Gervonta Davis shocked the world with Santa Cruz KO blow
Santa Cruz was taken to hospital as a result of the knockout blow which had the whole world sit up and take notice of Tank.
Posting to social media after the fight, Conor McGregor said: “My lord! What a vicious uppercut that was. Praying for the health and safety of Santa Cruz there.
“The young man “Tank” Davis has some serious venom in that back hand shot. Incredible!”
Terence Crawford appeared to be taken back by his one-word statement of “Daaammmm!”
Garcia added: “Big respect to Leo Santa Cruz was a warrior effort. Congrats to Gervonta on a good performance.”
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When asked for his own assessment on the knockout win, Davis admitted that he was forced to adapt given the height disadvantage.
“The uppercut wasn’t the key coming into the fight, but I adapted to what he was bringing,” said the Baltimore star.
“I knew he was taller and crouching down and moving forward. Once he moved forward, I tried to jab and make him run into the shot.
“He was right there for it. He punches, but he doesn’t try to get out of the way. There was nowhere for him to go on that knockout because I got him into the corner.”