Written by Eric Armit
Another display of Davis' devastating power as he hunted down and knocked out Martin in the eighth round.
Round 1
Martin was backing out of the ring with Davis coming forward behind the regular bodyguards. Martin was throwing guns and tried a body shot. They trade right jabs and Martin quickly comes in with a few punches for points. Davis was short with his jabs but connected with a right. Martin pierced Davis' guard with a straight left.
Score: 10-9 Martin
Round 2
Martin was still on the back foot and quickly came in with punches. Davis was waiting for a clear scoring opportunity and was throwing a few jabs. Martin was using some slick footwork to avoid getting caught on the ropes. Davis connected with a left to the body but Martin landed two straight lefts.
Score: Martin 10-9 (Martin 20-18)
Round 3
Martin was circling the perimeter of the ring as Davis silenced him. Davis landed a right but Martin jumped. Davis was now shooting further left than exciting right but Marin scored with a straight left and managed to dodge punches from Davis and sneak in to score.
Score: 10-9 Martin (Martin 30-27)
Round 4
Davis came out quickly, putting pressure on Martin who was well on his way back. Davis did a good job of chasing Martin and landed a hard left to the body in the low points round, which Davis just picked up.
Score: 10-9 Davis (Martin 39-37)
Round 5
Davis continued to hunt but Martin was showing some hard hitting as he rushed Davis and scored with right jabs. Martin kept punching Davis. Davis was able to corner Martin and hit a solid straight goal before Martin broke free.
Martin kept moving, grinding and sliding along the ropes and connected with left jabs and left jabs to the head with Davis unable to land anything heavy. He was a short step but getting closer.
Score: 10-9 Martin (Martin 49-46)
Round 6
Martin started the round with a flurry of punches but was forced to back off. Davis was able to corner him and fire a few shots. Martin had trouble slipping and Davis was able to get through with long lefts to the head.
Score: 10-9 Davis (Martin 58-56)
Round 7
A left to the body and a right to the head from Davis won Martin and then he followed Martin and landed a few more punches. Martin threw for the ropes but soon crossed the ropes and Davis hit a right home and left forcing Martin against the ropes as he screamed at him with punches.
Score: 10-9 Davis (Martin 67-66)
Round 8
Martin tried to catch Davis with a jab but Davis was walking between them. A series of cutting rights put Martin in trouble in the left corner and a right set him up with a left smash to the head that sent him crashing to the canvas on his back and he was counted out.
Eric's analysis
The first fight lasted 14 months and now 28 wins by KO/TKO of Davis, who was defending the WBA title for the first time, which he inherited when Devin Haney retired. Davis vs. WBC champion Shakur Stevenson or IBF champion Vasyl Lomachenko would be great fights. Martin just couldn't stop Davis and as Joe Louis noted, “They can run, but they can't hide.”
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