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Gervonta Davis vs Frank Martin Preview
The WBA Lightweight title will be on the line when Gervonta “Tank” Davis meets Frank Martin at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on June 15. Both fighters are unbeaten and ‘someone’s 0 has got to go’ in this main event.
“Tank” has established himself as one of the greatest boxers in the world since bursting onto the scene in January 2017. He won the IBF Super Featherweight title with a TKO victory over then-unbeaten Jose Pedraza. Martin made his professional debut in October of that year and quickly ascended into the top five lightweight rankings.
Gervonta Davis vs Frank Martin Head-to-Head and Key Stats
Gervonta Davis is the biggest attraction in the lightweight division. The Baltimore native has become a superstar of the sport with his electric in-ring performances, boasting a 29-0 record with 27 knockout victories. He won the vacant WBA lightweight title in December 2018. Tank finished Yuriorkis Gamboa via TKO in the 12th round earning promotion to full champion by the WBA.
He enters this fight on the back of the biggest victory of his career in April last year. Tank faced Ryan Garcia in a catchweight contest. The fight was one of the most anticipated of the last five years, with both fighters heralded as the best in their division. Garcia entered the fight undefeated with a 23-0 record, including 19 knockouts.
Davis dominated the fight. After a feeling-out contest in the first round, it was clear Garcia was going to push the pace. However, Davis found his range and kept from falling victim to Garcia’s advantage. In the second round, Garcia moved forward with a left hook. Tank ducked and followed up with a vicious uppercut, knocking The Flash down for the second time in his career.
Garcia continued to pressure Davis, but Tank had an answer every time King Ryan stepped forward. His work on Garcia’s body took its toll, and the Californian looked slow, not even halfway through the fight. Two judges had him up five to one heading into the seventh round. Tank’s work on the body paid off when he landed a piercing blow under Garcia’s ribs. He took a knee and could not answer the ten-count to hand Davis the TKO victory.
Heading into this fight, Garcia’s three biggest assets were speed, bodywork, and left hook. Gervonta outdid him on all three, forcing Garcia to abandon his left hook and eventually quit through his huge body shots. This was the most complete performance of Tank’s career.
Frank Martin enters this fight on the back of a unanimous decision victory over former Olympian Artem Harutyunyan. The fight was nervy until the latter rounds, with all three judges scoring the final four in favour of Martin. He claimed the 18th win of his career and kept his undefeated record. However, how he won was disappointing for a fighter who was challenging world champions. He was not active enough for the first eight rounds. It was not until his trainer, Derrick James, pushed him to let his hands go. Harutyunyan is a smart contender, but this was a fight that Martin should have gotten through relatively unscathed. The Ghost did not hide after the bout either, blaming his below-par performance on poor timing.
Martin had stronger performances, namely in his fight before facing Harutyunyan. He put on a masterclass against Michel Rivera to end another unbeaten record. The Ghost’s straight lefts frequently knocked Rivera off balance and nearly stopped him. He downed the Dominican in the seventh round and won with a near-shutout unanimous decision. That fight serves as proof of what Martin can do.
These fighters have a history outside of the ring. The two got into an altercation when sparring at Floyd Mayweather’s gym in 2023. Unsurprisingly, they have different accounts of what happened. However, they agree on one thing: Martin rocked Gervonta with his patented left hand. Davis referred to it as Martin’s “brick hand” and claims they got into a “wrestling match” following Martin’s hard hit. This adds even more allure to the main event.
Martin has a three-inch height advantage over Davis, but the rest is virtually identical. Half an inch separates them in reach and they are both 29 years old. However, Davis is far more experienced. The champ has 12 more professional fights than Martin and against stronger competition.
Gervonta Davis vs Frank Martin Prediction
Fight prediction: Davis by KO/TKO
Davis is too much too soon for Frank Martin. The boxing betting odds reflect this bout to be a mismatch. Tank has taken zeroes from seven fighters in his pro career and will make it eight on Saturday. An argument can be made for several of his previous victims being stronger than Martin. Garcia is the obvious name on that record, but the likes of Rolando Romero and Mario Barrios came into fights against the champ undefeated and on huge hype trains. Tank derailed them both handily and will do so again here. Our boxing prediction is for Gervonta Davis to win by KO/TKO.
Davis is one of the most complete fighters in all of boxing, let alone in his division. His two-way punching skill is remarkable, as shown in his most recent fight. Tank mixed up sitting back and counter-punching with aggression going forward. He did that against a fighter that dwarfs Martin’s ability. Gervonta’s power is explosive no matter the position he is in, and he will catch Martin.
The Ghost’s best chance at a victory in this fight is by closing the distance. Martin enjoys fighting in close quarters, using the ring to his advantage. In contrast, Davis does not like to fight too close to the ropes as he looks to set up his power shots. However, he lacks the size to do this effectively. He and Tank’s reach is identical meaning Martin cannot keep him at range and push the pace efficiently.
Martin has not faced someone with Gervonta’s power or experience. To record 27 knockouts in 29 fights while fighting opponents who often have the reach and height advantage on you is remarkable. Tank is a special talent but Martin is no scrub. He is a talented fighter and has power of his own. However, this jump in competition is gigantic and is reflected in our online sportsbook.
Despite his history with Martin, Gervonta Davis is too smart and experienced to be drawn into any drama in the ring. He will fight smartly and pick his punches with precision, power, and timing. Martin is a talented fighter, but Davis has become the grim reaper of undefeated records. The tank has changed zeroes to ones in seven fighters’ L columns. He will claim another soul on Saturday, and look ahead to a super-fight against Shakur Stevenson or Vasiliy Lomachenko.
Gervonta Davis vs Frank Martin Betting Picks
A bet on Davis to win offers little value, and he opens as a huge favourite at 2/15. As talented as Martin is, this is a mismatch. The champ has more power than any man The Ghost has faced before. There is more value in betting on the fight outcome. We like Davis to win via KO/TKO, worth 8/15.
There are several ways to extend those odds. Davis will be calculated with his shots as always. Martin is not exactly a big puncher either, so it’s not likely he will force Tank to abandon that game plan. Seven of the champ’s last eight fights have ended in a KO/TKO victory. Of those finishes, just one has come before the sixth round. We are betting on Martin to get through the first six rounds but have Davis finish him not long after. Grouped round betting has Davis to win the fight in rounds 7-9, worth 3/1. Alternatively, a bet on Davis to win between rounds 7-12 is 7/5.
Davis steps forward a lot more in the latter half of fights. Nobody has knocked Martin out in his career, but his chin will be tested beyond his ability. We expect Davis to tire Martin out and then spring forward. However, Tank’s power means he can end the fight in an instant. This is why live betting could be beneficial for round betting. If the seventh round starts with Gervonta still fresh, we back a live bet on Davis to win via KO/TKO. The odds will shorten as the fight edges closer to the bell and you can find some great prices here.
Our boxing betting markets offer plenty of opportunities to wager on this exciting fight. New customers can sign up and claim our welcome bonus to bet with reduced risk. We will match your first deposit 100% up to $500.
Gervonta Davis vs Frank Martin Full Fight Card
Main Card
- Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin – WBA lightweight title
- David Benavidez vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk – WBC interim light heavyweight title
- Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Alberto Puello – WBC interim super lightweight title
- Carlos Adames vs. Terrell Gausha – WBC middleweight title
Prelims
- Elijah Garcia vs. Kyrone Davis – Middleweight
- Mark Magsayo vs. Eduardo Ramirez – Super featherweight
- Romain Villa vs. Ricardo Salas – Welterweight
- Justin Viloria vs. Angelo Antonio Contreras – Super featherweight
- Brayan Gonzalez vs. James Mulder – Super bantamweight
- Daniel Blancas vs. Aro Schwartz – Super middleweight
- Mia Ellis vs. Margaret Whitmore – Super featherweight
- Reina Tellez vs. Beata Dudek – Featherweight
- Amador Mendez vs. TBA – Lightweight
