Gervonta Davis knocks out Francisco Fonseca in the eighth round in controversial fashion at T-Mobile
GERVONTA DAVIS got over his title stripping with a controversial win over Francisco Fonseca.
Tank lost his IBF super-featherweight crown on Friday when he rolled into town an hour late for his weigh-in and 2lbs over the 130lb limit.
But he made amends with a thrilling fight he looked, at times, like losing before what looked like an illegal blow to the back of Fonseca’s head ended his night.
The 18-0 knock-out machine emerged from his dressing gown wearing a ridiculous blue fur hood.
But he put on the sort of performance that would earn him the right to wear a mini dress and high heels if he fancied it.
Tank looked every inch a Floyd Mayweather fighter in the opening round, bobbing and weaving and making the Fonseca miss wildly.
But he got complacent in the final six seconds and was pinged for his troubles but recovered in time for the bell.
The second round was delayed while the fashion conscious fighter had baubles hacked off his boxing boots as they threatened to trip him up.
MOST READ IN SPORT
The savage young southpaw threw a handful of wild shots in the second – had one connected Fonseca would have been horizontal but the Baltimore brute’s timing was off and he was tagged again.
Round three was a turning point, rasping body shots threatened to cut Fonseca in half and a couple of uppercuts that connected sweetly almost ended the contest.
Davis began to showboat at the start of the fourth, hiding his dynamite hands behind his back and pretending to be dazed like a pub drunk.
The American showed no interest in jabbing at his unbeaten rival, instead he launched into lead uppercuts during the fifth round but he failed to trouble the Costa Rican.
Tank was talking at the halfway point but whatever he was shouting over the unusually quiet crowd only served to amuse Fonseca, who managed to crack a smile though the onslaught.
Davis was rocked again in round seven, chinned ferociously while his left arm was caught up in the ropes following a tangle.
And then came the moment that ended the fight on a sour note. A clubbing blow to the back of Fonseca’s skull floored the 40-1 underdog and – even though he appeared lucid – he stayed on the deck and was counted out.
The 22-year-old tried to defend his method of victory but his speech was drowned out by furious boos.
He said: "I guess the camera didn’t show the right clip of me catching him. I actually caught him with a body blow before that punch. It hurt him, and he knew he was hurt so took advantage of me swinging and fell down.
“I don’t think it was illegal, but it had no effect on him. I know for sure it didn’t."
While he added on not making weight: "I don’t want to make excuses. I’m a man, so I’ll take responsibility, and I know I can do more in the sport.
"For all the 130s, I’m coming for my belt. You’ll see me soon."
While Fonseca has been left feeling aggrieved, he said: "It was an illegal blow. Yes, I’m perfect. I’m OK.
“Everybody saw that when I was going down, he hit me twice behind. It’s a blow that’s not legal. It was here in Vegas, so he had the crowd going for him, and I just want a rematch.
“He never hurt me with that exchange. Even though he came in at 160 pounds today, he doesn’t hit as hard as they say he hits.”
McGREGOR VS MAYWEATHER LIVE: THE LATEST UPDATES FROM VEGAS
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKynZpOke7a3jqynqKqkZIF0f5Bxb2lnl5q%2Ft7vNrZhmnJGrtrR5xauYp5uZqLCwecOaraKrXZq2qLTToWSrp6WjsW6%2F06inqZmXmnw%3D