By Robert Addams: Yuriorkis Gamboa (30-3, 18 KOs) is reporting on social media that he did indeed suffer a torn right achilles during round 2 of his fight last Saturday against Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis (23-0, 22 KOs) at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
(Photo credit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME)
Although Gamboa is saying he tore his Achilles, he didn’t post a doctor’s note from medical staff to verify the authenticity of his injury claims.
Yuriorkis bruised Davis’ face and gave him a tough fight
Gamboa, 38, fought bravely for the last 10 rounds after injuring his right ankle in round 2 following a knockdown he suffered. Even if Gamboa didn’t suffer a torn achilles, it was courageous of him to stick it out and not quit after he hurt his ankle.
This was far from an easy fight for Tank Davis despite him winding up winning by a 12th round knockout. Gamboa had his advanced age and a bad ankle working against him in the fight, and yet still marked up Davis’ face in making him work hard for his win.
In watching the fight, it’s hard to imagine Davis beating a young Gamboa if the two were the same age. The 2007 version of Gamboa would likely be a disaster for Gervonta, as he was so much better. Tank Davis looks like a fighter that’s already in the decline at 25, and some boxing fans are labeling him the next Adrien Broner.
Gamboa says he wants a rematch with Tank Davis after his ankle heals. However, the odds of that happening are poor at best, because the unbeaten Gervonta is moving on. Davis and Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe said nothing at the post-fight news conference about giving Gamboa a second shot.
Just to set the record straight…..I knew I had snapped my tendon in the 2d round but I instructed my corner to tape my ankle so I can continue. I refused to quit and wanted to keep fighting through my injury. My corner followed my wishes. Heart of 🦁🥊🇨🇺🇵🇷
— Yuriorkis Gamboa (@gamboa) December 30, 2019
Tank Davis says he wants the big names
Davis won the vacant WBA ‘regular’ lightweight title in beating Gamboa, and he says he wants to take on the big names in the 135-lb division. On that end, Tank Davis has already been called out by WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney and unbeaten contender Ryan Garcia, who say they want to fight him in 2020.
“They’re the champions, and they’re the big names in my division. I’m ready for them all,” said Davis on wanting to fight the lightweight belt holders. “I believe I’m number 1. Let me just say that, and my record shows and my accomplishment shows. I’m definitely looking for the big names.”
Davis says he’s looking to take on the big names, but it’s unlikely to happen in 2020. WBA/WBC [F]/WBO lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko is already booked for April in facing IBF champ Teofimo Lopez, and after that he could move back down to 130. When Tank Davis was told that WBC champion Devin Haney had called him out, he didn’t sound excited at all about fighting him.
