Gervonta Davis vs. Isaac Cruz fight results, highlights: 'Tank' scores unanimous decision over game opponent

Davis wasn't able to put Cruz on the canvas on Sunday night, but he did enough to earn the decision

When Isaac Cruz stepped in on just over one month's notice to face Gervonta "Tank" Davis, many fans and media members felt Davis was going to face a much tougher test than his originally planned bout with Rolando Romero. It's hard to imagine that was incorrect after Cruz was able to give Davis almost all he could handle for 12 rounds at Los Angeles' Staples Center before Davis was able to pull out a narrow unanimous decision win.

Davis was able to land many of his trademark power shots in a rare role as the taller man in the fight, but even as his heavy hooks and uppercuts landed, Cruz never appeared hurt. That may have been a product of Davis suffering a hand injury midway through the fight.

"I hurt my left hand in probably the sixth round but I've got to throw it," Davis said after the fight. "I have to go get it checked out. It's shaking but it is what it is, that's what comes in the sport."

From the opening bell, Cruz fought as he almost always does: bulling his way forward to close the distance and keep his opponent from getting comfortable. Davis, a traditionally slow starter, made the necessary adjustments to Cruz's style beginning around the third round, dialing in with the uppercuts and using movement to keep Cruz from getting inside.

As the rounds wore on, whether a product of Cruz's chin, Davis' hand, or both, it was clear Cruz was not going anywhere and he began to turn the momentum of the fight his way, pulling increasingly close on the scorecards as both men continued to land clean, powerful strikes.

Davis was able to do just a little better in just enough rounds to earn the victory, including in what turned out to be the most important round of the fight, picking up Round 12, in a spot that likely saved him from a draw as the official scorecards read 116-112, 115-113, 115-113.

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Edging out the victory keeps Davis in a solid position in the lightweight division. After George Kambosos Jr. was able to upset Teofimo Lopez on Nov. 27 to capture three of the four recognized lightweight world championships and Devin Haney defended his WBC championship with a win over Joseph Diaz Jr. on Saturday, there are some big fights potentially on the table.

After dismissing the idea of a rematch with Cruz with a simple "hell no," Davis was asked whether he'd stay at lightweight or move back up to super lightweight for his next fight.

"Whatever the best opportunity is out there for me. I'm here for it, man," Davis said before being asked who in the lightweight division he'd most want to fight next. "All them guys are easy work. They're easy work, man. Easy work. I'm the top dog."

Cruz was only the second man to take Davis to the scorecards in Davis' professional career. The decision victory ended a streak of 16 consecutive stoppage wins for Davis.

For his part, Cruz did call for a rematch, claiming to have deserved the win. While a rematch seems unlikely, Davis made it clear that Cruz's gutsy effort had made an impression.

"He's a definite warrior," Davis said "Even though he didn't get the win, a star was born tonight."  

CBS Sports was with you throughout the entire way on Sunday, so be sure to follow along with the live results and highlights below. 

Davis vs. Cruz fight card, odds

• Gervonta Davis def. Isaac Cruz via unanimous decision (116-112 115-113, 115-113)
• Sebastian Fundora def. Sergio Garcia via unanimous decision (115-113, 117-111, 118-110)
  
• Carlos Adames def. Sergiy Derevyanchenko via majority decision (95-95, 97-93, 96-94)
• Eduardo Ramirez def. Miguel Marriaga via unanimous decision (99-90, 99-90, 99-90)

Davis vs. Cruz scorecard, live coverage

Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Total
Davis (c)	9	10	10	9	10	10	10	10	10	9	9	10	116
Cruz	10	9	9	10	9	9	9	9	9	10	10	9	112

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:15 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Cruz landed a right and a left late as he chased to the final bell. Tremendous fight. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Davis (116-112)

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:19 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Official result: Gervonta Davis def. Isaac Cruz via unanimous decision (116-112, 115-113, 115-113)

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:16 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

As we head to the scorecards, it's worth noting that many unofficial scorecards had it closer than our 116-112. Either way, Cruz fought a hell of a fight and gave Davis everything he could handle for much of the fight.

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:14 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Davis landed a right hook and circled away from Cruz's shots. Fighting with one hand, Davis has managed to keep Cruz from doing much in the round.

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:13 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Gervonta Davis vs. Isaac Cruz -- Round 12: Cruz landed a good right as Davis popped off the jab. Cruz landed the left hook. Davis landed a few good right hands and Davis may have injured his left hand.

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:11 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Davis landed a lead uppercut but Cruz kept coming. Cruz landed to the body and then the right hand upstairs again. Finding some good success with that combination. Another late right upstairs for Cruz late. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Cruz (106-103 Davis)

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:09 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Gervonta Davis vs. Isaac Cruz -- Round 11: Cruz came out working to the body. Again Cruz landed to the body and then landed a good right hand upstairs.

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:08 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Cruz landed another left, stopping a good run of Davis offense that saw Davis landing hard left hands. Cruz ripped Davis to the body and then blasted Davis' head back with a left hand. Davis took it well, however. Cruz landed one good shot to the body to close his best round in a while. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Cruz (97-93 Davis)

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:05 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Gervonta Davis vs. Isaac Cruz -- Round 10: Cruz landed three hard punches early and trapped Davis in the corner briefly, letting his punches flow. Another right hand landed for Cruz after they back to the center of the ring.

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:03 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Davis cracked with a good left hand and then dipped down to the body. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Davis (88-83)

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:02 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Davis stayed heavy on his straight left hand and just missed with a wicked uppercut. Davis was able to spend much of the round at distance, allowing him to rip off good straight punches as Cruz tried to work his way back inside.

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:01 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Gervonta Davis vs. Isaac Cruz -- Round 9: Cruz landed a good right hand and then went to the body before both men landed left hands. Some heavy leather being traded in the round.

[Dec 6, 2021 at 12:00 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Davis continued slipping Cruz's shots but Cruz did land a nice uppercut. Cruz went to the body again but got into the clinch when he finally put Davis against the ropes. Cruz landed a few good right hands. Cruz with a good uppercut late. Cruz is still very much in this fight but Davis is pulling away on the cards, it would seem. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Davis (78-74)

[Dec 5, 2021 at 11:57 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Gervonta Davis vs. Isaac Cruz -- Round 8: Cruz landed a few good left hooks early as he kept trying to chase down Davis. Davis landed a good left hand again and easily slipped a Cruz shot.

[Dec 5, 2021 at 11:55 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Davis opened up with a nice flurry but ate a right hand in the process. Davis landed another good hook and a left straight behind it. Cruz dug to the body again with more shots but Davis pulled out that round with his work in the second half. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Davis (68-65)

[Dec 5, 2021 at 11:54 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Cruz dug in with a flurry of good shots to the body and a good uppercut. Cruz staying very focused on the body and bringing an uppercut behind it.

[Dec 5, 2021 at 11:53 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Gervonta Davis vs. Isaac Cruz -- Round 7: Cruz worked to the body with a series of shots in the corner. Davis landed another big uppercut and a series of straight lefts before Cruz landed a left hook to counter.

[Dec 5, 2021 at 11:51 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Davis landed a lightning-quick left hand and an uppercut again. Cruz missed with a wild hook and Davis popped off a series of good jabs against the shorter fighter. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Davis (58-56)

[Dec 5, 2021 at 11:50 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Cruz cracked to the body again and Davis slipped a punch and landed a counter right hook. Cruz ate another uppercut and still has not been hurt by Davis' trademark shot.

[Dec 5, 2021 at 11:49 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Gervonta Davis vs. Isaac Cruz -- Round 6: Davis worked his jab and a staight left behind it, catching Cruz on the jaw. Cruz cracked with a good right hand and a left hook behind it before ripping Davis to the body.

[Dec 5, 2021 at 11:47 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Davis popped off a nice combination and Cruz hit a big right hand. Davis really loosened up in this round but Cruz was right there with him. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Davis (48-47)