Four Key Boxing Matches This Week, Davis Headlines Main Event

On the morning of June 16th, Beijing time, the world of boxing is set for a thrilling lineup. The main event features current WBA lightweight champion and three-division world titlist, American “Tank” Gervonta Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) against lightweight prospect Frank Martin (18-0, 12 KOs), taking place at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, with the fight broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video PPV.

The 29-year-old Davis boasts an unblemished professional record of 29 wins, with 27 of those victories coming by way of knockout. Standing at 5’10” with a reach of 67 inches, Davis last fought in April 2023, defeating former WBC lightweight interim champion Ryan Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) in seven rounds. That bout drew 1.2 million PPV buys, earning both fighters over $40 million. Recognized for his power, technique, and speed, Davis is currently ranked eighth on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list. He has previously knocked out Gamboa, Santa Cruz, Barrios, and Romero, and earned a points victory over Isaac Cruz, potentially positioning him as boxing’s next superstar.

Also 29 years old, Frank Martin holds an undefeated record of 18 wins, with 12 knockouts. Currently ranked eighth by BoxRec at 135 pounds, Martin stands at 5’8″ with a reach of 68 inches and fights from an orthodox stance. Once considered one of the most promising prospects at lightweight, Martin’s performance in July 2022 against Armenian-German Artem Harutyunyan (12-1, 7 KOs) was less convincing than expected. Heading into this match, he is a significant underdog with odds of 1-5 in favor of Davis.

In the co-feature bout, WBC super middleweight interim champion and former two-time WBC super middleweight titlist, David Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs), will face Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) for the vacant WBC light heavyweight interim title, marking Benavidez’s debut at 175 pounds.

The 27-year-old Benavidez secured a dominant points victory over Caleb Plant last year and defeated Demetrius Andrade in six rounds. Despite being the mandatory challenger to Canelo Álvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs), the WBC has yet to order a mandatory bout, and Álvarez has stated he won’t fight unless offered $150-200 million. Standing at 6’2″ with a reach of 74 inches, Benavidez might find challenging the winner of Beterbiev vs. Bivol at 175 pounds as his best option.

The 37-year-old Gvozdyk’s sole loss came in October 2019 when he was stopped in the tenth round by Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs). Gvozdyk, who stands at 6’2″ with a reach of 77 inches, won a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics at 178 pounds. In December 2018, he knocked out then-WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson (29-2-1, 24 KOs) in the 11th round, the highlight of his career. However, Stevenson was 41 years old at the time and past his prime. Benavidez is a heavy favorite heading into this contest, with odds of 1-5.

In an earlier undercard bout, 27-year-old American lightweight prospect Gary Antonio Russell (17-0, 17 KOs) will take on Dominican Republic’s former WBA lightweight champion Alberto Puello (22-0, 10 KOs) for the vacant WBA interim lightweight title.

Russell, a southpaw, stands at 5’10” with a reach of 70 inches. As an amateur, he twice defeated current IBF welterweight champion Jaron Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) and is known for his power. If Russell emerges victorious against Puello, a future clash with WBA lightweight champion Isaac Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) could be highly anticipated.

Opening the card, WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames (23-1, 18 KOs) of the Dominican Republic will square off against American Trell Harris (24-3-1, 12 KOs).

The 30-year-old Adames claimed the WBC interim middleweight title in October 2022 after stopping Juan Montiel (23-6-2, 23 KOs) in the third round. With Jermall Charlo (33-0, 22 KOs) battling depression, the WBC delayed ordering a mandatory bout. Eventually, Charlo’s title was stripped, and Adames was elevated to full champion status earlier this year.