Top 5 Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis Knockouts

Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, USA, Gervonta “Tank” Davis has delivered some of the best knockouts in the modern era of boxing. The southpaw has thrilled fans with his skills and finishing ability. With a 93% KO rate, it is rare for a Tank opponent to hear the final bell. With plenty of KOs to select from, here are five of Gervonta Davis’ best since he turned professional in 2013.

5 – Luis Sanchez, December 18, 2015, Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, NV

In his 14th outing, Davis underlined his power-punching credentials with a conclusive 9th-round knockout of Luis Sanchez. Just as impressive as the power was the trap set to utilize it. Sanchez had been down in the previous round of the ten-round contest. He couldn’t survive the one-punch finishing shot that came his way in the penultimate session.

Davis baited his man in. Sanchez crept forward, looking for a way to get back into the fight. Sanchez threw out a jab, which Davis, slightly crouched, countered with a hybrid left uppercut hook. The punch connected perfectly, and Sanchez was out for the count, face first on the canvas. Goodnight!

4 -Jose Pedraza, January 14, 2017, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Davis had his first opportunity to win a professional world title in this bout. Undefeated super featherweight champion Pedraza stood in his way. Davis landed a heavy three-punch combination in the 7th session, which had Pedraza covering up and on the ropes.

Davis then backed off just a little and had a look. He avoided a couple of tired-looking Pedraza punches before shooting an overhand left toward the struggling champion. That one was ducked, but the follow-up right hook Tank threw cracked Pedraza’s jaw and sent him down. That closed that particular show.

3 -Jesus Cuellar, April 21, 2018, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Tank brought the KO show back to Brooklyn, where another portion of the super featherweight crown was up for grabs against Cuellar. This one ended in the 3rd round. Cuellar had been down in round two and had gotten acquainted with the canvas again after a heavy body attack from Davis at the start of round three. The end was near.

Davis finished this one by backing Cuellar up to the ropes with some lefts and rights downstairs and up top. Cuellar’s defense was in disarray, and when Davis loaded up with fast lefts and rights to the head, Cuellar completely crumbled. The shots obliterated his guard. Cuellar was down, and the referee said no more.

2 -Ryan Garcia, April 22, 2023, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV

Davis delivered a performance to remember in the clash between the two wildly popular boxing stars. No belts were on the line in the catch-weight contest, but it didn’t matter. A counter left uppercut-hook hybrid had put Garcia onto the seat of his shorts in the second round, sending the packed arena into a frenzy. Tank had cleverly used Garcia’s aggression against him, and he would do this again in the 7th round.

Garcia was on the front foot and landed a left hook on the top of Davis’ head. At almost the exact moment, Davis sank a left hook into Garcia’s liver. It was delivered so quickly it was difficult to see at full speed. As with most liver shots, there was a few seconds of delay before Garcia felt it. Then he felt it, and down he went to his knee and couldn’t beat the count. It really was a beautifully delivered body counter that handed Garcia his first professional defeat.

1 -Leo Santa Cruz, October 31, 2020, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX

As KOs go, this one was in the heavyweight category. When it arrived, it was as quick as a flash. Santa Cruz was attempting to fight his way out of the corner when Tank uncorked a perfect left uppercut, which landed on Leo’s chin.

When I say perfect, it was textbook. He was the ideal distance away to throw the punch, and the velocity on the shot was maximum at the point of connection. Santa Cruz was asleep before he hit the canvas. The referee didn’t bother starting to count. He waved the fight off immediately.

Colin Morrison

A boxing fan since his teenage years, Morrison began writing about the sport in July 2016. He appreciates all styles of boxing and has nothing but respect for those who get in the ring for our entertainment. Morrison is from Scotland and can be found on Twitter @Morrie1981.

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