If Gervonta Davis really is the next big thing in boxing, Saturday's homecoming did nothing to dissuade the theory.
Davis (22-0, 21 KOs), the WBA junior lightweight champion, made a spectacular return to his home city by finishing hard-hitting Ricardo Nunez via second-round TKO to set off a wild celebration inside Royal Farms Arena.
The victory marked the first time a native of the Charm City had returned to Baltimore to defend a world title since featherweight champion Harry Jeffra defeated Spider Armstrong in 1940. The explosive crowd's response inside the 12,000-seat arena might have also convinced promoters to bring more fights to Baltimore.
The southpaw Davis was patient early as the ultra-confident Nunez (21-3, 19 KOs) stalked forward and cut off the ring. But Davis made him pay once he was able to control the real estate between them and rocked Nunez with a sweeping left hand that snapped his head back.
With the ropes holding Nunez up, Davis continued to unload and landed another flush left hand that forced referee Harvey Dock to jump in at 1:33 of Round 2 without a count to prevent further punishment.