LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 23: Boxer Gervonta Davis (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty … [+]
Gervonta Davis is a standout in the lower weight divisions of boxing, and he is set to return to the ring on June 15 to defend his WBA lightweight title against Frank Martin in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The fight will be part of a Premier Boxing Champions card that will be streamed on Amazon Prime.
In the co-main event, David Benavidez will take on Alexandr Gvozdyk in Benavidez’s light heavyweight debut.
The 29-year-old Davis’ last fight was in April 2023, where he secured a seventh-round knockout victory over Ryan Garcia. His exceptional speed and power have established him as one of the top boxers globally, with an impressive 29-0 record, including 27 knockouts.
Similarly, Martin, also 29, holds an undefeated record of 18-0 with 12 knockouts. In his most recent fight in July 2023, he defeated Artem Harutyunyan. Martin was initially scheduled to face Shakur Stevenson later in 2023, but the bout fell through, leading Stevenson to fight Edwin De Los Santos in November, which he won by unanimous decision.
Martin will be up against a formidable opponent in Davis, known for his power and substantial fan base. The fight with Davis presents Martin with a significant opportunity to make a name for himself in the boxing world.
Davis has faced legal issues during his time away from the ring, including charges related to a hit-and-run incident and domestic violence. The domestic violence charges were dropped in May 2023.
As Davis gears up for his return, concerns about ring rust linger due to his nearly 14-month hiatus. Although Martin may not be the most powerful puncher, he is regarded as a top fighter in their weight class.
While Martin may not hold the same recognition as Haney, Stevenson, or Lopez, he poses a legitimate challenge. It will be intriguing to see how Davis performs against a credible opponent after such a prolonged break.
The timing of Davis’ fight announcement coincided with Garcia’s challenge against Haney for the WBC Super Lightweight title. This strategic move was accompanied by Davis’ team taking a jab at the anticipated attendance for the Haney-Garcia bout through social media.
Davis has the potential to headline more high-profile events if he remains active in 2024. However, his immediate focus is on defeating Martin and regaining his fighting form.
Martin has an opportunity to elevate his status by competing against Davis. A victory or a strong performance against Davis could place him among the top names in the boxing world.
