Davis vs. Santa Cruz Weigh-In: Tank successfully makes division limit on first attempt

From the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, current WBA "Regular" Lightweight titlist Gervonta "Tank" Davis (23-0, 22 KO's) stepped onto the scale at this afternoon's official pre-fight weigh-in and cleared his first major hurdle by making the 130 pound Super Featherweight limit on his first attempt.

The Baltimore native didn't take any chances when going toe to toe with the official scale, weighing in "al fresco" at approximately 129.8 lbs; comfortably below the division limit.   

The incumbent Super Featherweight "Super" WBA titlist, Leo Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KO's), easily made weight, scaling in at approximately 129.6 lbs. 

Davis is expected to hydrate back up to at least 145 pounds when the first bell sounds on Saturday night.

"15 weeks we've been in camp for this fight, so we're ready" stated Gervonta Davis during the final press conference on Thursday.  "I'm in great shape.  I know he's (Leo Santa Cruz) going to be ready, and he's going to bring it, so the fans should see a great fight." 

Although Davis will be defending his WBA Lightweight crown, the hard punching favorite will also be competing for Leo's WBA "Super" 130 pound title after successfully making the division limit.

How will the weight affect both men?

While most seem to think the lighter weight will potentially give an advantage to the reigning Super Featherweight title-holder in the back-half of the scheduled twelve round contest, weight should not be an issue in this style match-up.  Because Gervonta combines speed with power, he doesn't waste punches and fights economically during each round.  Unlike Santa Cruz, Davis isn't a high volume puncher.  So workrate won't be an issue, should Leo take the prolific KO artist a full twelve rounds.

Easier said than done...  

Despite being a proven physically and mentally durable fighter, Leo has never faced an opponent with the kind of explosive power that Gervonta possesses.  Throughout Davis' undefeated career as a professional, only one fighter has taken him the distance, and that was while Gervonta was still in the 6 round stage of his career.  

No fighter has been successful in taking "Tank" a full twelve rounds to date.

Will Santa Cruz be the first in San Antonio, Texas, on Halloween night?

Leo and his team believe he will prove to be the best fighter on Davis' professional resume.  Many boxing experts believe Santa Cruz to have the experience to properly challenge the hard punching favorite and competitively give him some unusually difficult rounds.

Because of the 32 year old champion's fight style and customary work-rate, some pundits and scribes also believe Leo has a very good chance to win a decision in front of what most believe will be a predominately Hispanic fight crowd.

He'll have to make it to the final bell to find out.

The truth will ultimately be revealed in the squared circle on Saturday night, in the main event of a four bout PPV fight card on Showtime PPV.

All Official Weights on the PPV portion of the fight card

Diego Magdaleno -  134.75 lbs vs. Isaac Cruz - 132 lbs - 12 round, Lightweight special attraction and first fight on the PPV bout sheet

The Showtime Pay-Per-View "Davis vs. Santa Cruz" is available for a one-time cost of $74.99 and will air at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT