After bringing his hometown its first homegrown title fight in nearly 80 years, Gervonta Davis is ready to share the same kind of live to his home away from home.

The unbeaten two-time 130-pound titlist bids to become a two-division titlist as he faces Yuriorkis Gamboa for a vacant 135-pound title. Their bout will take place Dec. 28 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The Showtime-televised event marks the first time in the 21st century where Atlanta will host a major title fight, with one of the sport’s rising stars once again bringing big time boxing to locations longing for play host.

“December 28 is going to be an event, not just a fight” Davis (22-0, 21KOs) said of his first pro appearance in his adopted hometown. “I’ve always wanted to fight in Atlanta. This is my second home.”

The 25-year old southpaw made a splash in his Baltimore hometown—where he was born and raised—playing to a crowd of more than 16,000 at Royal Farms Arena this past July.  It mattered little that few knew of his mandatory challenger, Panama’s Ricardo Nuñez; the history behind the event was enough to bring out the city en masse. Making the final defense of his second tour as a 130-pound titlist, Davis became the first Baltimore-bred boxer to defend in his hometown since 1940, when Harry Jeffra turned away the challenge of Spider Armstrong at Carlin’s Park.

Five months later will come his next “first” type of event, bringing to Atlanta its biggest event since local hero Evander Holyfield defended his portion of the heavyweight crown versus Vaughn Bean down the street at Georgia Dome in Sept. 1998.

The goal moving forward is to make this well beyond a one-and-done affair. 

“I truly believe that Atlanta will open its arms to boxing,” notes Davis.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox