Gervonta Davis survives injury to beat Isaac Cruz by decision in dramatic bout (Video)

Gervonta Davis was the heavy favorite against Isaac Cruz, but Cruz’s game plan and an injury made this fight very close. Still, Davis got the win. 

Gervonta Davis is one of the biggest young stars in boxing, but Isaac Cruz scared the living daylights of the WBA “regular” lightweight champion and gave him a run for his money on Sunday, Dec. 5.

Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) is known for his thunderous knockout power. Considering that he was fighting a smaller opponent for the first time, many thought he would make easy work of Cruz, but that didn’t happen.

Rolly Romero was supposed to be Davis’s opponent, but he was pulled off the card after sexual assault allegations were made against Romero. Cruz was on the card, so he took the opportunity to move up to the main event to challenge Davis.

Cruz (22-2-1,15 KOs) was a dangerous opponent even though he was a replacement. He outboxed Francisco Vargas in his last bout and raised his game several notches for Davis.

A soldout Staples Center crowd in Los Angeles was pulling for the underdog Cruz, and Cruz gave them plenty to clamor about. He was unintimidated by Davis and charged him in the first several rounds. Cruz took the fight to Davis and showed surprising hand speed.

Gervonta Davis had to battle through adversity to get a points win against Isaac Cruz

Davis emerged in round 3 and started to find a home for his left uppercut, but he grew frustrated as the fight wore on.

Cruz applied unrelenting pressure, which made Davis lose his head on several occasions. Davis pushed Cruz to the canvas several times and struck Cruz in the face with his shoulder in round 4. Davis was also warned several times for pushing down on Cruz’s head.

Davis found clarity and rhythm by round 6 and was boxing well from a distance, but in round 10, the tide was altered. Davis was winning round 10, but he stopped throwing and appeared to exclaim. He hurt his hand and couldn’t throw it in rounds 11 and 12.

Davis was fighting to survive in rounds 11 and 12, while Cruz was doing all he could to close the show. Davis was too slick and made it to the final bell. The judges returned scores of 116-112 and two of 115-113, all for Davis.

Cruz fought much better than expected, and the injury made things interesting. He made Davis look mortal and showed some weaknesses in his armor. Davis is a great lightweight, but he can be beaten. Cruz demonstrated that in their contest.