Gervonta Davis brought his pre-fight predictions to life by stopping Ryan Garcia in round seven at the T-Mobile Arena.

It was a fight that concluded a bumper week for boxing in Las Vegas. With its two biggest stars on stage, the sport flexed its muscles to remind the world that when it gets it right, it gets it very right.

For Gervonta Davis, his ‘very right’ meant putting a halt to Ryan Garcia’s visualisations.

Visualisations of a left-hook finish that would stop the previously unblemished Davis. It wasn’t to happen. Instead, Garcia was counted out after taking a sickening liver shot from the 135lb champ.

Proceedings didn’t begin with such excitement as the pair cautiously feinted their way through the opening three minutes.

But in round two, Sin City sprung to life. In the perfect example of how NOT to stalk a puncher, Garcia chased Davis whose left hand was cocked and ready to fire.

Then THIS.

Garcia did beat the count and, all things considered, seemed ok. In fact he was undeterred, continuing with his attacking intent in round three. Davis meanwhile was on standby.

But he still had his prized possession in waiting.

Garcia began second-guessing himself. Twitching at every feint in fear of Davis releasing the trigger. Slowly and steadily, Davis began to whip out his jab to the mid-section, asserting some dominance as he stood centre-ring.

The bell rang for round seven, and Garcia came out with the attitude of setting the pace. His ability to cut off the ring was followed up by flurries of punches, but rarely did they land with effect.

Then came the killer moment. In retreat, Garcia was immobilised by a nauseating liver shot. Davis had done it.

Amongst the brightest of lights, Davis had delivered on his promise of a seventh-round stoppage. It was responsive, efficient, and clinical - typical of the ‘Tank’ mould.

This is a generational talent.

As for Garcia, well, he is a credit to the sport of boxing. Contractually, he took a metaphorical bodyshot with the 10lb rehydration clause. Yet still, by compliance, he ensured he stood tall as Las Vegas’ centrepiece on Saturday night.

This is a man shaped by self-belief, and a distinct desire to succeed.

He will forever carry the pressure of perfection on his shoulders, but at just 24-years-old, he is learning to live and thrive under that restraint. His journey in boxing will unquestionably be one of success.

Maybe even one day, it will come full circle.

To Cardiff, and Joe Cordina’s chance to regain the title he never lost.

World title number one was perfect. It was the boxing equivalent of Roy of the Rovers. However, history rarely repeats itself. By no means was champion Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov coming over to stand square-on, presenting Cordina’s world title number two on a plate.

By absolutely no means.

What followed was a back-and-forth war of attrition. For the full 12, the pair set a furious pace in an attempt to wear the other down.

It was Cordina who started the quicker. Backed by a noisy Cardiff crowd, he whipped and dipped his way through the first. Rakhimov matched his man in the second, but paid the price when he was dropped by a straight left.

The Tajikistan native rose to his feet.

And he wasn’t one to wither.

Through five, six and seven, the pair exchanged heavy blows. Both men posed questions, to which both had answers. Cordina began to take on the counter-puncher role, finding room for his left hook.

A swelling of the champion’s eye had the excitement level at boiling point. A stoppage win seemed all so close, yet all so far as Rakhimov chopped at the challenger’s body.

Slowly it seemed as if ideas were fading from the southpaw. Still, he waded forward, offering precious little but a leading head. The tight twelfth round was fought on empty. To the cards.

TWO TIME!

And there’s the justice. Joe Cordina, two-time champion of the world.

Next, to Poland, where you can forget two-time champion of the world. Try TWO-MINUTE champion of the world.

Alen Babic’s long-awaited WBC Bridgerweight world title clash was over before the ‘Savage’ even had time to render his alter-ego. Poland’s own Lukasz Rozanski came flying out of the blocks, and by brawling the brawler landed himself a world champion.

It was chaotic, but that has been the story of Babic since day one. From the first bell he was asked to swim, but instead decided to swing, and he was in too deep.

A crushing defeat, and one that was perhaps on the horizon for a fighter who so often neglects defence in favour of attack.

Will he ever change? Will he f***.  

Oscar Bevis