Gervonta Davis vs. Martin: Top Experts' Predictions
On June 15 in Las Vegas, USA, American WBA lightweight champion (up to 61.2 kg) Gervonta Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) will defend his title against fellow countryman Frank Martin (18-0, 12 KOs).
Former world champion Errol Spence believes Martin will win by decision: "I see Martin having his hand raised. I think he’s the most skilled and talented fighter Tank has ever faced.
Davis can’t just wait for the later rounds to try for a knockout in the seventh or eighth. I feel Frank will dominate him for 12 rounds and win. Tank will come to fight. He’s a great fighter, but I feel Frank will take it. He’s the best fighter Davis has faced," Spence said during an Instagram live stream.
WBC lightweight champion and potential future opponent of Gervonta, Shakur Stevenson, is confident in the reigning champion's victory: "I think Tank has fought better fighters than Frank. I’m not trying to downgrade Frank because I heard him say in an interview that I hate him. That’s not true. Martin started boxing at 17. Okay, at 15. Either way, he started late. He has to make up for all the years we’ve been working. I don’t think he can beat Davis," Stevenson said on Sean Zittel’s YouTube channel.
WBO super lightweight champion (up to 63.5 kg) Teofimo Lopez believes Martin must be confident to win: "I think if Frank Martin comes out and pressures Tank Davis without showing any respect, we’ll see a completely different fight. But if Frank comes out respecting the power and hype around Gervonta Davis, then I think the fight will end quickly for Martin," Teofimo told Fight Hub TV.
American super lightweight contender Arnold Barboza leans towards an early stoppage win for Gervonta and expressed his desire to face the winner: "This will be a really good fight. Martin is a good fighter, but I don’t know, I think Tank’s power can be decisive. I think Tank will win by knockout. Of course, I want to fight Gervonta. I want to fight the best. I would like to fight the winner of this fight," Barboza told BoxingScene.com.
Former world champion and current ESPN analyst Timothy Bradley expects an early stoppage win for Davis: "In my opinion, Frank lacks experience. He needs to be able to win rounds, and I don’t see how he will do that. The problem is his lack of experience.
Regarding the later rounds, I’m also worried about Frank. You have a guy (Davis) who’s comfortable and doesn’t mind playing catch-up. You know he’s a predator because he sets traps, waits for you to make a mistake, and times his shot. He will knock you out with one punch. He only needs one clean shot to the chin.
I think Frank makes mistakes, especially in the later rounds where a guy like Gervonta can capitalize, so I’ll say Gervonta might win by late stoppage.
But early on, it will be interesting because of Frank Martin’s speed. He will be sharp at the beginning, but as the fight goes on, all the hype, the bright lights, and just being in the ring with Tank, a guy who can hit hard with both hands, will throw Frank off balance. So, I believe Gervonta will win by late stoppage," Bradley told Fight Hub TV.
Former world champion Andre Berto also favors Gervonta: "I like both guys, but it’s hard to go against Tank. He has the full package. He’s fast and strong. Many overlook that he has a very good base. Davis is used to these big events. This will be the first time we see Frank Martin in a big show.
In many cases, a big event can paralyze many guys, especially when you’re facing a beast like Davis. So Martin has a lot to overcome. I’m talking about skills, power, and atmosphere. So I favor Davis," Berto told FightHype.com.