Gervonta Davis Retains WBA Lightweight Title with Spectacular Fourth-Round Knockout

Gervonta Tank Davis once again proved why he is considered one of boxing most explosive punchers on Friday night, retaining his WBA lightweight title with a spectacular fourth-round knockout victory over Ryan Garcia at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The devastating left uppercut that ended the contest at 1:05 of the fourth round sent Garcia crashing to the canvas and instantly became another classic highlight in Davis growing collection of spectacular finishes.

The fight had been building toward its explosive conclusion throughout the early rounds, with both fighters showing mutual respect for each others power while looking for the perfect opening. Davis established his jab early and worked behind a tight defense, while Garcia used his height and reach advantage to keep the champion at distance with sharp combinations and lateral movement around the ring.

The turning point came midway through the fourth round when Garcia attempted to step in with a right hand but left himself exposed for just a fraction of a second. Davis, with the timing that has made him one of the most feared punchers in the sport, slipped the incoming shot and countered with a picture-perfect left uppercut that caught Garcia flush on the chin. The challenger went down immediately and was clearly in distress, prompting referee Kenny Bayless to wave off the contest without administering a count.

Garcia, who had entered the fight undefeated and riding a wave of social media popularity, showed tremendous heart and boxing skill in the early rounds but ultimately could not solve the puzzle of Davis defensive responsibility and counter-punching ability. The 25-year-old from California had his moments, particularly in the second round when he landed several clean shots that briefly had Davis backing up, but he was unable to sustain the pressure against such an experienced champion.

For Davis, the victory represents his 27th knockout in 30 professional fights and further solidifies his position as one of the most marketable stars in the sport. The Baltimore native has now successfully defended his WBA title three times and appears to be entering his prime years as a fighter. Promoter Leonard Ellerbe immediately began discussing potential unification fights, with WBC champion Devin Haney and IBF titleholder Isaac Cruz mentioned as possible opponents.

The sell-out crowd of 16,800 at the MGM Grand was treated to exactly the kind of explosive action that has made Davis one of boxings biggest pay-per-view draws. With his combination of devastating power, improved defense, and growing ring IQ, Tank appears poised to dominate the lightweight division for years to come. The victory also sets up potential superfights against other young stars in the division, creating exciting possibilities for boxing fans as 2026 continues to unfold.