Undefeated Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis 24-0 (23) is unfazed by the challenge that lays ahead of him when he moves up in weight to take on WBA ‘regular’ junior welterweight champion Mario ‘El Azteca’ Barrios 27-0 (16) at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on June 26.
The 26-year-old Baltimore southpaw was last in action in San Antonio, Texas in October when he scored a stunning one-punch knockout of WBA super featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz 37-2-1 (19). The fight against Barrios will take place at 140-pounds.
“Camp has been great for me. We know that Barrios is a bigger guy and that he can punch. We’re working hard each day in the gym, because we’re going up against a big task on June 26,” Davis said.
“We all have challenges we go through in life and that’s what makes us strong. This is another challenge that I have on my road to success. I’m ready to walk through it and keep pushing.
“We know this is a dangerous fight. Barrios is coming with power and you know for sure I’m coming with power. May the best man win.
“I took this fight because I want to be great. All the other big names at lightweight had scheduled fights so I felt like I wanted to go out and beat the best fighter out there for me.
“Even if he is bigger than me on fight night, it doesn’t matter. This is all part of the sport. My goal is to break him down. If I can get him out of there, I’ll get him out of there. If it goes 12 rounds, so be it. He’s big and strong, but he’s never faced anyone like me.
“We have to wait and see what happens on fight night. Different styles dictate what I need to show in the fight. We’ll see what he brings to the table, and then we’ll capitalize off of it.
“I’m not worried about losing any speed by adding weight. I’m going to be quick regardless. I think I’m going to be at my best at 140-pounds.
“Like all of the rest of my fights, this is going to be action-packed. Don’t go get popcorn during the fight, because it could end at any moment. I bring what boxing needs and that’s excitement. We all know when I fight, it’s never a boring fight. From the first round, until whenever it ends, I just keep coming, in all of my fights. That’s what you’re going to see June 26.”
Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions added: “‘Tank’ is a generational fighter. He has certain abilities that others just don’t. He’s special, but this is a dangerous fight for him. This is a tremendous challenge and I’m really excited for this fight.
“Atlanta is a hot market. Obviously the first fight they had in a long time was ‘Tank’ vs Yuriorkis Gamboa and it was a packed sold-out crowd in this building. The fans really enjoyed it. The city needs big events like this. We told the fans we were coming back and here we are.
“‘Tank’ is chasing history. When you look back at a lot of all-time greats, they’ve gone through things no one else ever has. Looking to be a three-division champion at 26 years old is another example of him chasing greatness like that.
“‘Tank’ is the most exciting fighter in the entire sport and he gives the fans what they want to see. He puts butts in seats. People gravitate to the way he fights. This new generation of fans that we have, they love him.”
