GERVONTA DAVIS edged out a close points win over underdog Isaac Cruz after suffering a hand injury.
Davis ran out the winner on the scorecards after 12 rounds to retain the secondary WBA ‘Regular’ lightweight title.
The unbeaten American moved to 25-0 after the unanimous decision but revealed he sustained an injury to his hand during the fight.
Davis, 27, said: “At the beginning of the fight, he came on strong.
“I felt as the fight was going, he was breaking down. But I hurt my hand, so I wasn’t able to get him out of there.”
Cruz, 23, only filled in on five weeks notice after Rolando Romero, 26, was withdrawn amid sexual assault allegations.
The Mexican pushed Floyd Mayweather’s protege ‘Tank’ all the way, but is not in line for a rematch, as Davis responded with ‘hell no’ when asked.
Cruz said after defeat: “I have nothing to say. The fans are speaking on who won this fight.”
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Davis was the aggressor throughout the first half of the fight, favouring the uppercut as Cruz rushed in.
But towards the second half of the fight, Davis was reduced to just his jab due to his injured right hand.
It was enough to see him snatch a points verdict and remain undefeated, with unified lightweight champion George Kambosos, 28, ringside.
Kambosos stunned Teofimo Lopez, 24, to win the belts and now looks set to fight Devin Haney, 23, who just beat JoJo Diaz, 29.
But after Davis’ win, lightweight star Ryan Garcia, 23, called out his long-time rival.
Garcia tweeted: Gervonta gets away with fighting c level fighters, out of all the lightweights he’s the weakest!!!
“His toughest test was Leo Santa Cruz, almost lost tonight bring it on I’ve been calling you out for awhile…”
