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SPORTS Wednesday 27 november 2019
Gervonta Davis taking step up in pursuit of superstardom

By PAUL NEWBERRY preter and Davis answered
AP Sports Writer most questions while hold-
ATLANTA (AP) — Gervon- ing his daughter, Gervanni.
ta Davis wrapped both When they went through
arms around his 1-year-old the mandatory stare-down
daughter, whispering in her for the cameras, Gamboa
ear and revealing a tender held his grim look but Davis
side as he promoted his quickly broke into a smile
next bout. and yukked it up with his
In the ring, the boxer known fans.
as "Tank" shows no mercy. After the title bout in Balti-
The 25-year-old Davis has more, Davis wanted a fight
a perfect record in 22 pro- in what he considers his
fessional fights, only one second home. He moved
of which has gone the dis- to Atlanta a couple of
tance. years ago and pushed for
Now the two-time super the chance to show his skills
featherweight champion for a growing fan base that
is eager to make a bigger includes local pro athletes
mark, moving up in weight and hip-hop stars.It will be
to take on Cuba's Yurior- a rare opportunity for the
kis Gamboa for the WBA's A-T-L, which has hosted nu-
secondary lightweight title In this July 27, 2019, file photo, Gervonta Davis waits for the start of his super featherweight boxing merous major events but
next month in Atlanta's first championship bout against Ricardo Nunez in Baltimore. has little history in the fight
world championship card Associated Press game. Most notably, it was
in more than 20 years. the city that held Muham-
"I want to keep getting bet- victory over Gamboa, who over Flores. "I think he's the entertaining the crowd, giv- mad Ali's comeback fight
ter and better," Davis said. at 37 would appear to be most dangerous of all the ing the crowd something to after he barred for more
"I hope Gamboa brings the on the downside of his ca- people that they want me go home to talk about — than three years over his
best out of me so that peo- reer. to fight and once I do that, other than the knockout." refusal to be drafted during
ple can see that I'm not just For Davis, though, this is a I think people are going to The fight with Gamboa the Vietnam War.
a power puncher. I have a possible steppingstone to know that I'm not scared of came together after they Atlanta hasn't staged a
lot of boxing skills." a big-money match with nobody and that I could fought together on the world title fight since home-
Davis has displayed fear- Leo Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 fight whoever." Baltimore card. The Cu- town favorite Evander
some power since turning knockouts), who has cap- Davis is certainly willing to ban scored an impressive Holyfield outpointed
pro in 2013, most recently tured world titles in four make that match. second-round knockout of Vaughn Bean to retain his
scoring a second-round weight classes. The Mexi- Like Santa Cruz, Davis is Rocky Martinez. heavyweight belts in 1998
TKO of Ricardo Núñez dur- can most recently claimed seeking a signature victory "I proved to the naysay- at the Georgia Dome. Next
ing a July homecoming the WBA super feather- to raise his profile on box- ers that I have a lot left in month's card also includes
bout in Baltimore. No fight- weight title with a unani- ing's crowded champion- the tank," said Gamboa, WBA light heavyweight
er has gone the distance mous decision over Miguel ship landscape. He is ca- an Olympic gold medalist champion Jean Pascal tak-
with Davis in more than five Flores on the undercard of pable of becoming one of at the 2004 Athens Games ing on Badou Jack. "I've al-
years. Deontay Wilder's knockout the sport's biggest stars, ac- who is 18-2 in his pro career. ways wanted to fight here,"
Yet, despite his impressive win. cording to his trainer, Cal- The promotion for the De- Davis said. "Atlanta has ac-
record, Davis has been "What better opponent vin Ford. cember fight began at cepted me with open arms.
scrutinized for a lack of than Gervonta Davis?" "Tank can really box and lunchtime in a west Atlanta Baltimore is always my first
quality opponents. That Santa Cruz told DAZN in put on a show," Ford said. nightclub, where Gamboa home but being able to
isn't likely to change with a the lead-up to his victory 'That's what it's all about: spoke through an inter- come here is special."q

AP source: Hill has elbow surgery, to miss 1st half of 2020

By RONALD BLUM gery, the person said. This pain that delayed his next
AP Baseball Writer type of surgery usually re- outing until Sept. 24. Hill
Free agent left-hander quires a shorter recovery started Game 4 of the Di-
Rich Hill had surgery on his time, and Hill is expected to vision Series against Wash-
pitching elbow and is likely start throwing by the end of ington and did not get a
to miss the first half of next April, the person said. decision, allowing one run
season, a person familiar Hill, who turns 40 in March, over 2 2/3 innings in a 6-1
with the situation told The had Tommy John surgery defeat.
Associated Press on Mon- while with Boston in 2011. Hill was 30-16 with a 3.16
day. He was 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA ERA with the Dodgers, who
The person spoke on condi- in 13 starts this year for the acquired him from Oak-
tion of anonymity because Los Angeles Dodgers, com- land on Aug. 1, 2016. He is
Hill's surgery was not an- pleting a $48 million, three- 65-42 in 15 big league sea-
nounced. year contract. He was sons.
Rather than have Tommy sidelined between June 19 His surgery was first report- In this Sept. 24, 2019, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers starting
John surgery to repair a and Sept. 12 with a strained ed by WEEI. The operation pitcher Rich Hill works against a San Diego Padres batter during
torn ulnar collateral liga- flexor tendon in his pitching was done by Dr. Jeffrey the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, in
ment, Hill had what is forearm and then in his first Dugas of Andrew Sports San Diego.
called primary revision sur- start back felt right knee Medicine.q Associated Press