Lamar Jackson, Trae Young, More React to Gervonta Davis’ Stunning KO of Frank Martin
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVJune 16, 2024
Steve Marcus/Getty Images
Gervonta Davis weathered the Frank Martin storm early in their fight on Saturday night. When the eighth round rolled in, he brought the thunder.
The boxing star flattened Martin with a huge left uppercut, followed by an even nastier left hook, to retain his WBA lightweight title and move to 30-0 in his career with 28 knockouts.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportGERVONTA DAVIS KO FRANK MARTIN THE 8TH ROUND 🤯😱
(via @premierboxing) pic.twitter.com/hyBNFOsNo8
It was a massive, vicious finish, and stars from around the sporting world were stunned by the performance:
Lamar Jackson @Lj_era8Tank CBFW😤
Trae Young @TheTraeYoungTank been different dawg.. quick f’n with him😂😂💯
Tyrese Maxey @TyreseMaxeyDefinitely worth staying up Until 6 am for!!! RESPECT!
🦅MaddMaxx🦅 @CrosbyMaxxKING OF BOXING!!!! TANK MF DAVIS 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 @Gervontaa
Saquon Barkley @saquonTank really like that !!
Ja Morant @JaMorant🐐 tank
Kyler Murray @K1OMG… sleeeeeep! Tank is ridiculous dawg…🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
Le’Veon Bell @LeVeonBellTANKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK DID IT AGAIN
SAUCE GARDNER @iamSauceGardnerDAMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN.. GGs
Odell Beckham Jr @objSHOOOOOWWWTIMMMMEEE
Jalen Ramsey @jalenramseyYep! Tank did it again! It’s over! OH MY GOD!
Deebo @19problemzWelpp!!!!!
Chad Johnson @ochocincoHoly shit wtf 😱
Melo @MELOD1Pnaw tank a fooooool 💀💀💯💯💯💯gawh damnnnn
It was the sort of punch, and overall outing, that served as a reminder of why Davis remains on pound-for-pound lists as one of the best boxers in the sport, even after a year layoff. Certainly, he more than earned his “Tank” nickname yet again.
He started slow, and Martin arguably took the first three rounds, but Davis took control from there, regularly stalking him into the corners.
“I was rusty but it was OK because I’m back,” Davis told reporters after the fight. “A couple of rounds, I felt like I completely needed a warmup but its OK. His footwork wasn’t bothering me. I knew he would tire out. That’s why we decided to just stand there and be a target for him so he could tire himself out [throwing punches].”
The plan worked. In the end, it was Martin who was truly the target, crumpled on the canvas like a clay pigeon shot out of the sky.
