Undefeated WBA ‘regular’ junior welterweight champion Mario ‘El Azteca’ Barrios 27-0 (16) is about to surrender his title easily when he faces Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis 24-0 (23) at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on June 26.
The 26-year-old Barrios from San Antonio, Texas will be making the third defence of the title he won against Russian southpaw Batyr Akmedov 8-1 (7) by unanimous decision in Los Angeles in September 2019. Last October he stopped the game Ryan ‘Cowboy’ Karl 18-3 (12) in six rounds in his hometown.
Classy southpaw Davis, 26, who fights out of Baltimore, Maryland presents a whole new challenge. He will be moving up two full weight classes to face Barrios following his stunning sixth-round knockout of WBA super featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz 37-2-1 (19) in San Antonio last October.
“This is a huge opportunity for me,” Barrios said. “‘Tank’ called me out. I know he’s trying to do something great, but this is a dangerous fight for him. It’s going to be an action-packed fight. We’ve never faced fighters like each other before. We’re going to see on June 26 if it’s the right move for him.
“I fight to represent my city and my people. I’m going to go out there and do my best to make everybody proud.
“They might be looking at my fight against Batyr Akhmedov closely. But I think he has a totally different style and that this fight will be different than what they expect if they just watch that match. I don’t know what they see in me to want this fight, but none of it matters to me. All the questions are going to be answered on June 26.
“’Tank’ is jumping up two weight classes. He’s doing something a lot of great fighters have done. He even said it: this isn’t an easy fight for him. We’re ready to face the best version of ‘Tank’ that anyone has ever seen and it’s going to be war.
“I was surprised when his name was brought up to me. But whether you like ‘Tank’ or not, he has one of the biggest names in boxing. This is the type of fight that can skyrocket my name up there to the top level of the sport.
“‘Tank’ is a good fighter and a very explosive fighter. There is the question of whether he’s bringing his power up to 140. I don’t have any concerns about it though. He’s the guy who has to show people he can handle my power at this weight.
“I’m excited to be fighting in Atlanta. This is my first time here actually but I know the fans here are very passionate. I’m expecting to see a great turnout here at State Farm Arena.”
The fight will be broadcast on Showtime pay-per-view.
