WBA ‘regular’ lightweight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis 25-0 (24) says he is ready for anything Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz 21-1-1 (15) brings to the ring when they meet at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on December 5.
The 27-year-old southpaw from Baltimore, Maryland will be having his second bout for the year following his hit-and-run mission to 140-pounds that saw him score an explosive knockout of Mario ‘El Azteca’ Barrios 26-1 (17) in Atlanta in June.
Davis was originally scheduled to face Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero 14-0 (12) who was forced to withdraw after legal trouble.
Cruz is a worthy replacement. The 23-year-old Mexican is undefeated in the past five years, defeating former world title challenger Diego Magdaleno, previously undefeated Jose Matias Romero and former world champion Francisco Vargas in his last three bouts.
“This is going to be an exciting fight,” said Davis. “Cruz comes to fight each and every time. I’m just waiting to see what he brings to the table on December 5 and we’ll capitalize off of his mistakes.
“Cruz coming forward could make the fight a lot easier for me, but there are definitely challenges with that style too. He comes forward with his head a lot. I’m definitely going to be ready for that.
“Anything that he does dirty in there, I’ll be ready for. He better be prepared, because whatever he dishes out, I’m going to give it right back to him.
“He’s an explosive fighter. We have to see what he brings on December 5. I’m looking forward to it. I want to give the fans another action-packed fight.
“The change in opponent didn’t really affect my mindset or my game plan. Trash talking doesn’t matter to me anyway. We all have to get out there and perform when it’s time to.”
Davis has fought in three different wright classes in his past three fights. Along with the Barrios victory at junior welterweight, he defeated Yuriorkis Gamboa by 12th round knockout in December 2019 and dropped down to super featherweight to score on of the knockouts of the year when he stopped Leo Santa Cruz in six frame in October last year.
Despite his prodigious punching power and string of explosive knockout, Cruz is unfazed by the task ahead of him.
“I have proven time and time again that my drive and desire to be champion is too big to be ignored. This fight won’t be the exception,” said Cruz.
“I am going to pull off the upset and a brand new star will be born on December 5… defeating Gervonta Davis is the only thing on my mind. When I win, I know he’s going to want the rematch and I can promise that I will train twice as hard for that fight when it happens.”
