Photos: Gervonta Davis Holds Off Isaac Cruz For Decision Win - BIG Gallery

Staples Center, Los Angeles - For the WBA "regular" lightweight title, Gervonta Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) won a tougher than expected twelve round unanimous decision over a very durable Isaac Cruz (22-2-1, 15 KOs). (photos by Esther Lin, Ryan Hafey)

The scores were 116-112, 115-113, 115-113.

Cruz came out pressing forward and was looking to start fast in the first round. Cruz was landing quick punches, while Davis was taking in data and trying to adjust to the shorter Cruz. Davis connected with a solid uppercut, before Cruz came back with a good combination as Davis was pressed against the ropes. 

Cruz came back out pressing in the second, as Davis was looking to line him up for big punches. Davis connected with several big uppercuts during the round. Cruz was targeting the body when the head wasn't there. In the third, the action was close at the start as Cruz was keeping the fight at short range and digging to the body. Davis was connecting as Cruz was coming inside. During the fourth, Davis was moving well and looking to catch Cruz as he was coming in. Cruz continued to go after the body with hooks and combinations. 

In the fifth, Davis was landing well on an incoming Cruz, who continued to target the body for the most part. Davis connected often in the final minute. They were trading at short distance in the sixth. Davis was connecting with the harder punches. Cruz continued to apply pressure in the seventh. Davis was landing often to the head, with Cruz deciding to target the body. Davis was unloading with heavy blows that busted up the nose of Cruz. 

Davis was picking off Cruz in the eight and connecting more often. Cruz's nose was still bleeding. In the closing moments Cruz landed a solid combination to the head of Davis. During the ninth, Cruz came out firing with both hands. Davis was firing right back as the punches were flying. Davis was outlanding Cruz when they engaged. The tenth started with Cruz firing from the start and landed solid right hands. Davis would then start coming on with punches of his own. Cruz would unload with more solid punches as he pinned Davis against the ropes. Cruz was also digging to the body. 

The eleventh started with Davis jabbing and Cruz landing those hooks to the body. It was close action with both having their moments. Both came out jabbing in the twelfth round. Davis appeared to suffer a hand injury, because he was simply moving, only using the right and not really throwing his left hand for the entire round. Cruz was pressing forward, but unable to land a lot of punches.