Gervonta Davis is known for his stopping ability and for possessing frightening power that a heavyweight could be proud of.
From Davis stopping Mario Barrios to Ryan Garcia, top fighters have often had their winning streaks snapped by ‘Tank’s’ power.
A draw with Lamont Roach in March 2025 would be just the third fight in which Davis could not finish his opponent. However, fans have likely not seen the last of Davis’s stopping power.
In 2020, Davis showed just how impressively he can finish fights, with a frightening uppercut stoppage.
Gervonta Davis defended his world title against Leo Santa Cruz in 2020
In what was the only 2020 outing for Davis due to Covid-19 restrictions, ‘Tank’ was set up to defend his lightweight world title against Leo Santa Cruz.
Davis was the WBA champion of the division, as Santa Cruz went into the fight with a 37-1-1 record. The bout would take place in October 2020, in Texas.
Santa Cruz went into the bout as the WBA Super Featherweight champion, with that belt also on the line in the fight. Santa Cruz was also a former super bantamweight and bantamweight title holder.
The battle between the two champions was a close affair after five completed rounds. The judges would see Davis narrowly in the lead by a single point as the pair headed into the sixth round.
However, Davis took matters into his own hands, removing the need for the judges’ scorecards. In the final 30 seconds of a fiery sixth round, Davis would back Santa Cruz into the corner before unleashing a monstrous shot.
Slipping to his left, Davis threw a stunning lead uppercut on his opponent, landing flush. Santa Cruz was left on his back, unable to continue the fight.
The knockout was the 23rd of Davis’s career, out of 24 professional fights.
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Gervonta Davis has only been taken the distance three times in his career
With a 93% knockout rate, it has been an uncommon occurrence for Davis to be taken the distance in his career. Although Roach was able to earn a draw against the champion in 2025, this was just the third time he heard the final bell.
The first time Davis fought to the end of a fight was in 2014. Just 19 years of age, Davis faced German Ivan Meraz (47-31-1) in a six-round bout.
Despite scoring two knockdowns, Davis would be the winner via unanimous decision.
Davis would not go the distance again until 2021, when he faced Isaac Cruz (22-1-1). Winning a relatively close affair, Davis was pushed by Cruz but was able to defend his lightweight title.