“END OF UNDEFEATED ERA” Gervonta Davis Knocked Out By Naoya Inoue In Epic Fight, Now Faces Real Test Against Canelo, Exclusive Video Revealed

“END OF UNDEFEATED REIGN”: Gervonta Davis Is Knocked Out By Naoya Inoue In An Epic Battle, Now Faces The Real Challenge Against Canelo, Exclusive Video Revealed

In an event that shook the boxing world, Gervonta “Tank” Davis suffered his first professional defeat on April 26, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, being spectacularly knocked out by Japanese Naoya Inoue in a fight already considered one of the most epic of the decade. Davis’s (29-1, 27 KOs) unbeaten run came to an end in the seventh round, and now, with an exclusive video released at 11:00 PM PDT, the American faces a formidable new challenge: a potential superfight against Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez. Here’s the full analysis of this historic night and what’s next for “Tank.”

The Epic Battle: Davis vs. Inoue

The fight between Gervonta Davis and Naoya Inoue, nicknamed “The Monster,” was a clash of titans that kept the 20,000 fans at T-Mobile Arena on the edge of their seats. Davis, known for his devastating power, faced Inoue, the former undisputed bantamweight champion who had moved up a weight class after unifying all the belts in 2023. Despite questions about Inoue’s (22-0, 19 KOs) size at lightweight, the Japanese fighter showed why he is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

From the first round, Inoue displayed speed and surgical precision, landing quick combinations that frustrated Davis. “Tank” responded with his trademark power, landing a left hook in the third round that staggered Inoue, but the Japanese man held firm, absorbing the punishment with astonishing resilience. In the sixth round, Inoue began to impose his rhythm, using his footwork to avoid Davis’s punches while landing an uppercut that opened a cut above the American’s left eye.

The decisive moment came in the seventh round at 10:42 PM PDT. Inoue, taking advantage of a mistake by Davis in lowering his guard, threw a right hook to the liver followed by a straight right to the jaw that sent “Tank” to the canvas. The referee immediately stopped the fight, while Davis, visibly dazed, was unable to get up. The T-Mobile Arena erupted in a mixture of awe and applause, acknowledging Inoue’s feat in knocking down one of the biggest names in boxing.

Exclusive Video: Davis’ Reaction and Canelo’s Challenge

At 11:00 PM PDT, an exclusive video posted by ESPN Knockout on X showed the moments after the fight. In the locker room, Davis, his face swollen and his look of disbelief, said, “He caught me with a perfect shot, no excuses. But it’s not over. I’m going to come back stronger.” However, the most shocking announcement was his team’s announcement: Gervonta Davis is in talks to face Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez in a superfight tentatively scheduled for September 6, 2025, in conjunction with Mexican Independence Day weekend.

Canelo, who attended the event as a spectator, was quick to respond. In an interview with DAZN at 10:50 PM PDT, the Mexican (62-2-2, 39 KOs) said: “Davis has heart, but if he wants to face me, it’ll be on another level. What Inoue did today, I’ll do even faster.” Canelo’s statement has ignited social media, with #DavisVsCanelo trending globally in a matter of hours. Fans are already speculating about how Davis, now facing his first loss, will handle the challenge of moving up in weight to face the pound-for-pound king at 168 pounds.

Analysis: What’s Next for Davis and Inoue?

Davis’s loss to Inoue marks the end of his undefeated reign since his professional debut in 2013. Despite the loss, his courage in facing a fighter as formidable as Inoue has been widely praised. Boxing analyst Teddy Atlas commented on his podcast at 11:30 PM PDT: “Davis showed courage, but Inoue is a phenomenon. Now, facing Canelo is a huge risk for Tank, especially after this blow to his confidence.”

For his part, Naoya Inoue, now 23-0, cemented his status as one of the best in the world. After the victory, Inoue expressed his desire to unify the lightweight titles, targeting the winner of the upcoming fight between Vasyl Lomachenko and Shakur Stevenson, scheduled for July 2025. “I want all the belts, no matter the division,” Inoue said at the post-fight press conference at 11:15 PM PDT.

Reactions from the Boxing Community

The boxing community was quick to react. Floyd Mayweather Jr., who recently made headlines for a video showing him “freaked out” during an incident in London, tweeted at 11:20 PM PDT: “I respect Inoue, but Davis needs to regroup. Canelo doesn’t play.” Meanwhile, Ryan Garcia, a former rival of Davis, showed no mercy, posting on Instagram: “I told you, Tank, you’re not invincible. Canelo will destroy you.”

Fans on X are divided. Some believe Davis should take some time to recover before facing Canelo, while others see the superfight as a chance for “Tank” to redeem his legacy. One user wrote: “Davis vs Canelo would be crazy, but after today, I don’t know if Tank is ready for that level.” Another fan defended Davis: “One loss doesn’t define a champion. Tank is going to shut people up against Canelo.”

The Road to Canelo: Too Big a Challenge?

Facing Canelo Álvarez, who is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Edgar Berlanga in December 2024, represents the biggest challenge of Davis’s career. Moving up to 168 pounds to face the Mexican, who has dominated the middleweight and super middleweight divisions, will be a test of fire for “Tank.” Experts are already debating whether Davis, known for his speed and power at 135 pounds, will be able to adapt to the size and experience of Canelo, who at 34 years old remains a dominant force.

The exclusive video also showed Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, confirming the negotiations. “Gervonta wants the biggest challenges, and Canelo is the biggest,” Ellerbe said at 11:10 PM PDT. However, some analysts, like Dan Rafael, warn that the move could be premature. In an article published on Fight Freaks Unite at 11:45 PM PDT, Rafael wrote: “Davis needs a transition fight after this loss. Going straight to Canelo could end his career.”

The night of April 26, 2025, will go down in history as the day Gervonta Davis’s undefeated reign ended at the hands of Naoya Inoue in an epic battle. The seventh-round knockout not only cemented Inoue’s status as a living legend but also marked a turning point for Davis, who now faces the biggest challenge of his career against Canelo Álvarez. With an exclusive video revealing his team’s plans, the boxing world is on the edge of their seats awaiting the next chapter of “Tank’s” career. Can Davis rise from this defeat and defeat Canelo, or is this the beginning of a decline? Share your opinion in the comments: do you think Davis has what it takes to beat Canelo?