Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios

On June 26 two undefeated fighters will collide, both with something to prove. Baltimore’s Gervonta “Tank” Davis (24-0, 23 KO’s) will step into the ring with San Antonio, Texas’ fellow undefeated banger Mario “El Azteca” Barrios who himself comes into the fight with a perfect 26-0, with 17 opponents not hearing the final bell.

Davis, one of boxing ‘s fast rising super stars will look to maintain that title and continue the buzz he created in his last fight when he blitzed star Leo Santa Cruz with a highlight reel KO in October of last year. Barrios will look to back up some bold predictions by showing that he is, the real deal in the division.

In Davis we have a vastly talented fighter who won his first world title back in 2017. After turning pro in 2013, he worked himself to a perfect 17-0, then he beat talented Jose Pedraza to capture the IBF world super featherweight title. Over the next 2 years he made 5 defenses at the weight while adding the WBA belt to his collection. He then won the WBA world lightweight title and made his 1st defense a memorable one with a “Plays of the Week” KO of Santa Cruz.

Now he is looking to add the WBA world super lightweight title to his collection by bettering Texan Barrios who won the title back in 2019 and is looking to make the 2nd defense of his belt. A paper title for sure.

While super star Davis is the better known of the two fighters, and is the favorite going into the fight, you’d have trouble convincing Barrios that he can’t upset the applecart and leave Georgia with his 3rd defense under his belt.

In a recent interview, Barrios was respectful of the fact he was facing a fighter with a strong profile, but it was clear he felt that Tank’s team was selling him a bit short.

“I think Gervonta and his team might have bit off more than they could chew with this fight”, he said. “Tank is going to be in there with a full blown 140-pounder. He’s not going against someone past their prime or going up in weight. I’m a guy who goes out and gets stoppages. He’s facing someone just as dangerous as he is,” said a confident Barrios.

While Barrios knows he is facing a fighter who created quite a buzz with his last KO (Santa Cruz) win, he feels that at 140-pounds, weight will be a factor.

“We know Gervonta is a dangerous fighter. But I’m just as dangerous, if not more dangerous. I’ve been dangerous at 140 pounds for quite some time now. I have speed, power, and explosiveness, just like Gervonta. I know that I have power that carries from round one through round 12. He’s not used to being at this weight and we’re going to see how he handles that move up."

Barrios knows that despite being the defending champion, many people feel that it is Davis who is the main player in the fight. But, Barrios also knows that a win over a star like Davis send his career straight north.

“This is going to be fireworks from the opening bell. We have everything we need to make this the ‘Fight of the Year’. This is the moment that I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid. I’m ready to seize this opportunity.”