Highlights from Tank Davis vs Frank Martin presser
This weekend Las Vegas will play host to two of boxing’s best, as Gervonta “Tank” Davis and David Benavidez are featured on a loaded PBC fight card.
This week Frank “The Ghost” Martin expressed gratitude as his fight against Gervonta “Tank” Davis approached.
“I appreciate Tank giving the opportunity whoop his (backside),” Martin said.
Of course it’s usually Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) doing the whooping. But with his WBA lightweight title on the line, Davis will be fighting for the first time in 14 months — a layoff that began after he knocked out Ryan Garcia in April 2023. No chance Davis has lost his knockout power. But will his sharpness be compromised by the time off with his WBA lightweight championship belt on the line Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas? Martin (18-0 with 12 KOs) will provide a test.
USA TODAY Sports will provide round-by-round updates and analysis when the main card bouts begin. Follow along.
The main event between Gervonta Davis and Frank Martin starts at approximately 11 p.m. ET. The preceeding fight between Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Benavidez began around 10:30 p.m. ET
You can order the fight on Prime Video ($74.95) or PPV.com ($74.99). You do not need an Amazon Prime subscription to access the pay-per-view broadcast of the fight. DAZN is carrying the fight.
Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin odds
- BetMGM: Davis -700 favorite, Martin +450 underdog
- DraftKings: Davis -700, Martin +475
- Fan Duel: Davis -600, Martin +500
- Bet365: Davis -800, Martin +500
Ryan Garcia, who was knocked out by Gervonta Davis in April 2023, is at Davis’ fight against Frank Martin and wearing a shirt that reads “Tank’s #1 fan” on the front and “Rematch me (expletive)!” on the back.
Gvozdyk comes out strong. Benavidez still attacking the body. Both look ready for an ice bath. Benavidez 118, Gvozdyk 110.
Gvozdyk keeping Benavidez on his toes with that right hand. Benavidez unloading, but Gvozdyk escapes the barrage. Benavidez 108, Gvozdyk 101.
Benavidez looking fatigued and Gvozdyk looking relatively fresh. Wondering what Benavidez has in reserve here. Benavidez finishes the round strong. Benavidez 98, Gvozdyk 92.
Gvozdyk’s punches landing with a little more authority. Benavidez still looks to be on cruise control. Gvozdyk fighting fire with, well, a little less fire. Benavidez 89, Gvozdyk 82.
Benavidez backpedaling now. Trying to draw Gvozdyk into a trap. The Ukrainian connects without ferocity but frequency. Again, Benavidez on the ropes, perhaps waiting for his tank to refuel. Benavidez 79, Gvozdyk 73.
Benavidez ripping that left hand into Gvozdyk. But the Ukrainian stands his ground. Action slows a bit. Benavidez leaning on the ropes as Gvozdyk fires. Benzvidez 70, Gvozdyk 63.
Gvozdyk still looks game. Comes out throwing punches – none of which are fazing Benavidez. Now Benavidez asserts himself again with a powerful combination. Gvozdyk holding up remarkably well. Benavidez 60, Gvozdyk 54.
Gvozdyk pops Benavidez early and snapped his head back. Now Benavidez making the Ukrainian pay, in particular with a speedy combination. Benavidez pouring it on now. Benavidez 50, Gvozdyk 45.
Gvozdyk scores early. No sizzling punches, but he’s active. Giant left from Benavidez and he follows up with a powerful barrage. Benavidez 40, Gvozdyk 36.
Gvozdyk firing the jab. But keeping Benavidez at bay will take more than jabs. Benavidez punishing Gvozdyk with body punches. Crowd starts to chant: “David! David!” Benavidez 30, Gvozdyk 27.
Benavidez stalking again, may be slowing Gvozdyk with the body punches. Nice exchange between the two. Benavidez gaining control. Benavidez 20, Gvozdyk 18.
Gvozdyk reading to mix it up, fires early. Benavidez counters with his jab. Benavidez stalking and attacks the body, then lands a couple of nice jabs. Benavidez 10, Gvozdyk 9.
David Benavidez record
David Benavidez owns a 28-0 record with 24 KOs.
Oleksandr Gvozdyk record
Gvozdyk is 20-1 with 16 KOs.
Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin fight predictions
- Josh Peter, USA TODAY Sports: By the middle rounds, Tank Davis will be playing catchup with Frank Martin. This time it’s too late. Prediction: Martin by split decision.
- Tom Gray, The Sporting News: Martin is one of the best opponents that Tank has shared a ring with. The challenger is quick, skilled and defensively switched on, so expect a very tough fight here. Prediction: Davis by split decision.
- Scott Christ, Bad Left Hook: Tank has the game-changing power, and Martin doesn’t. It will make will the ultimate difference. Prediction: Davis by TKO, 10th round.
- Ryan O’Hara, Fights Around The World: It could take Tank a few rounds to get the cobwebs out, but once things heat up, it’s only a matter of time. Prediction: Davis by TKO, 8th round.
Gervonta Davis height
Tank Davis is 5-foot-5.
Gervonta Davis record
Gevonta Davis is an undefeated 29-0 with 27 KOs in his career.
Frank Martin record
Martin owns an 18-0 record with 12 knockouts.
Davis weighed in at 133.4 pounds and is fighting for the WBA lightweight title.
Frank Martin is 29 years old.
Gervonta “Tank” Davis is 29 years old.
Martin weighed in at 134.4 pounds and is fighting for the WBA lightweight title.
Martin won his last bout against Artem Haurtyunyan in July 2023.
Gary Antuanne Russell, who had knocked out all 17 of his opponents as a pro, ran into different type of boxer: one who wouldn’t go down. Alberto Puello evaded Russell’s KO power and prevailed by split decision in their 12-round super lightweight bout. The judges scored it 109-118, 115-112, 114-113 for Puello, who won the WBC interim super lightweight challenge. Russell, the 28-year-old American, fell to 17-1. Puello, the 29-year-old Dominican, improved to 23-0. Puello vs. Russell round-by-round analysis.
Carlos Adames defended his WBC world middleweight title against Terrell Gausha with a victory by unanimous decision. The fight was short on action, but Adames showed more power and aggression during the 12-round bout. The judges scored it 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110 for Adames. Adames, the 30-year-old from the Dominican Republic, improved to 24-1. Gausha, the 36-year-old American, fell to 24-4-1. Adames vs. Gausha round-by-round analysis.
- Round 1: Russell stalking and throwing considerably more punches than Puello. Smart strategy? Well, he was a high school valedictorian, so probably so. Russell 10, Puello 9.
- Round 2: Puello finds openings and connects. But Russell stays on the attack. Russell not landing as frequently as usual, but he still looks in command. Russell 20, Puello 18.
- Round 3: Puello lands, but Russell presses the action again, eventually working Puello into a corner. Here comes Russell, unloading combinations. Puello’s left hand looks dangerous, but that’s not slowing Russell. Russell 30, Puello 27.
- Round 4: Russell heads out with a swollen left eye. So now we know Puello’s left is landing with authority. But Russell showing his signature aggression. Puello connects with a combo that slows Russell. Russell 39, Puello 37.
- Round 5: Puello showing more confidence. Russell undeterred, still stalking. An impressive exchange ensues. Russell 49, Puello 46.
- Round 6: Russell adhering to the game plan. Aggressive and firing away. Stinging punches among the array. Puello connects, and Russell pounces again. Russell 59, Puello 55.
- Round 7: Puello connects with a hard left. Russell smiles as Puello evades him. Puello looks up to the challenge against the KO artist, Russell, even though he likely trails on points. Suddenly Russell’s backing away. Russell 68, Puello 65.
- Round 8: Size advantage serving Puello well behind that sizzling left hand. Russell doing his best to close the distance and fight inside. Puello drills him with that left again. Russell 77, Puello 75.
- Round 9: Referee takes away a point from Puello for holding. Man oh man. Russell charging forward as if that action has fueled him. Another terrific exchange here at the end of the round. Russell 86, Puello 84.
- Round 10: Russell’s accuracy definitely off tonight, but he’s still stalking. But Puello fighting effectively when under attack. Russell 96, Puello 95.
- Round 11: Puello befuddling Russell. All that assertion by Russell, it’s yet to pay off with his signature KO punch – or any real barrage. Russell fighting with urgency. Russell 105, Puello 105.
- Round 12: Russell takes a low blow. Gonna need a beat here. He’s firing madly, and Puello counters hard. Russell 115, Puello 112.
- Round 1: Boxers firing jabs, assessing each other. Adames unloads with an overhand right. Blocked. But the first burst of excitement. Quiet round. Adames 10, Gausha 9.
- Round 2: More jabs and caution as the round begins. Gausha lands an overhand right, and Adames presses the action, to no avail. Adames 19, Gausha 19.
- Round 3: Gausha staying busy with the jab, but not much landing. Adames starting to establish himself as the aggressor, but not delivering many punches. Adames 29, Gausha 28.
- Round 4: Adames lands a body shot. And it’s worth noting given the scarcity of punches landed. Adames opening up, taking a couple of shots but landing more. Adames 39, Gausha 37.
- Round 5: Adames enters the round having thrown only 80 punches, but they’re the more powerful punches. Adames the aggressor, but Gausha countering effectively. Adames 48, Gausha 47.
- Round 6: Adames fires a couple of hard rights and initiates the action. Gausha fires back. But still nothing for the highlight reel. Adames through big rights, none of which are getting through. Adames 57, Gausha 57.
- Round 7: Finally, a serious exchange of punches at the center of the ring. Now Adames unloading overhead rights, followed by stiff jabs. Gausha scoring with jabs, but Adames showing more power. Adames 67, Gausha 66.
- Round 8: Gausha content to lean on that left jab. And Adames distinguishing himself with power. Gausha might need Olympic-style judges to pull this out unless he throws with more authority. Adames 77, Gausha 75.
- Round 9: Adames emerges as the aggressor again. But the fighters are oddly tentative. Gausha fires away, but suddenly he’s backpedaling again. Adames 87, Gausha 84.
- Round 10: Gausha’s trainer sends him back out with orders to be more aggressive. But it’s Adames who’s carrying out that plan. Adams corners Gausha, then has him on the ropes and can’t capitalize. But Adames initiating the action. Adames 97, Gausha 93.
- Round 11: Gausha lands with his jab. Adames countering with big punches. Ouch. Low blow by Adames. Gausha needing some time and deep breaths before the action resumes. Adames lands a big right, above the belt, but Gausha connects with a flurry. Adames 106, Gausha 103.
- Round 12: Adames throwing that overhand right. But not much getting through Gausha’s high guard. Gausha showing more activity before Adames pours it on. Great exchange as the round ends. Adames 115, Gausha 113.
Kyron Davis defeats Elijah Garcia by split decision
Garcia sported a cowboy hat when the scorecards were read. A good look, but not enough to persuade the judges after the 10-round super middleweight bout. They scored it 97-93, 92-98, 97-93 for Davis and Garcia suffered the first defeat of his career.
Garcia, a 21-year-old from Phoenix, fell to 16-1. Davis, a 29-year-old from Delaware, improved to 19-3-1.
Daniel Blancas defeats Aro Schwartz by TKO
This super middleweight bout was scheduled for eight rounds. Blancas altered that schedule with a first-round TKO. Blancas, the 22-year-old from Milwaukee, improved to 10-0. Schwartz, the 30-year-old from Germany, fell to 23-8-1.
Mark Magsayo defeats Eduardo Ramirez by unanimous decision
Mark Magsayo of the Philippines dominated Eduardo Ramirez of Mexico in a 10-round super featherweight bout. In the third round, Magsayo scored a knockdown. And in the fifth round, he landed a left hand that knocked out Ramirez’s mouthpiece and left blood dripping from his opponent’s mouth. The judges scored it 97-92, 97-92, 99-90 for Magsayo. Magsayo, 28, improved to 25-2. Eduardo Ramirez, 31, fell to 28-4-3.
Margaret Whitmore defeats Mia Ellis by majority decision
At 31, Whitmore started her pro boxing career in January. Now she’s 3-0. Whitmore won by majority decision, outdueling the more experienced Ellis in the four-round super featherweight fight. The judges scored it 38-38, 39-37, 39-37 for Whitmore. Ellis, 24, fell to 7-3.
Justin Viloria defeats Angel Contreras by TKO
Justin Viloria, a self-described “body snatcher,” dropped Contreras three times with – what else? – body shots. The last one came in the fifth round, when the referee stopped the super featherweight bout. Viloria, a 19-year-old southpaw from Whitter, Calif., improved to 6-0 with four knockouts. Contreras, the 30-year-old Mexican, fell to 15-9-2.
Brayan Gonzalez defeats James Mulder by unanimous decision
Making his debut, the 18-year-old Gonzalez won every round on the scorecards in the four-round super bantamweight bout against Mulder. It was a impressive outing for Gonzalez, a 5-8 southpaw from Phoenix, Ariz. Mulder, the 29-year-old from Antioch Calif., fell to 0-2.
Reina Tellez defeats Beata Dudek by unanimous decision
The 5-foot Tellez, seven inches shorter than Dudek, nonetheless controlled the four-round featherweight bout. Tellez, a 21-year-old American, improved to 8-0-1. Dudek, a 31-year-old Hungarian, fell to 4-2.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Gervonta Davis net worth
Gervonta Davis’ net worth is $10 million, estimates Celebrity Net Worth.
Tank Davis knocked knocked out Ryan Garcia in the seventh round of their 2023 bout. It improved Davis’ record to 29-0 and needed just 1:44 to do it.