2/9 PBC on SHO: Gervonta Davis vs Hugo Ruiz (WBA Super Featherweight Title)

[patscorpio]

The much-discussed fight between junior lightweight world titleholder Gervonta "Tank" Davis and former three-division world titlist Abner Mares is on.

Mares will move up in weight from the featherweight division to challenge Davis for his belt in a Showtime-televised main event on Feb. 9 at the Dignity Health Sports Park -- the new name for the StubHub Center as of Jan. 1 -- in Carson, California, as announced Wednesday by Premier Boxing Champions.

"This matchup is sure to make for a crowd-pleaser, as both guys are known for delivering action when they step into the ring," said Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, who promotes Davis. "Mares has an impressive résumé and is determined to hand Davis his first loss. Davis has made a lot of noise in the sport at a young age and isn't slowing down. He executes impressively and continues to prove that he will be the next big star in boxing."

Davis (20-0, 19 KOs), 24, of Baltimore, will make the first defense of his second 130-pound title reign on Mares' home turf. Davis won his belt via third-round knockout of Jesus Cuellar on April 21, but legal issues and problems with Mayweather Promotions limited him to only that fight in 2018.

Davis' first title reign ended on the eve of a fight with Francisco Fonseca on the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor undercard in August 2017 because Davis failed to make weight. In his next bout, Davis defeated Cuellar. Now Davis is hoping to get back on track.

"I'm very excited to be showcased in my first main event in the United States on Feb. 9," Davis said. "I want to make a statement in this fight by putting on a tremendous performance against an experienced [former] world champion like Abner Mares. I plan on showing everyone why I belong in pound-for-pound discussions and why I'm the most exciting champion in boxing today."

Mares (31-3-1, 15 KOs), 33, of Montebello, California, has won world titles at bantamweight, junior featherweight and featherweight. He is coming off a hard-fought decision loss to featherweight titlist Leo Santa Cruz in a rematch in June and has been gung-ho about moving up to take on the explosive Davis.

"I wanted this fight, and I want this challenge against Gervonta Davis," said Mares, who was a 2004 Mexican Olympian. "I'm preparing well, and I will add my fifth world title in my fourth weight class on Feb. 9 on Showtime."

TGB Promotions president Tom Brown, who is co-promoting the card, said, "Abner Mares is looking to join a select group of boxers by winning a title in his fourth different weight class and carrying that kind of motivation into the ring is the thing that can propel a boxer to greatness."

"We've already seen the kind of speed and explosive punching power that Gervonta Davis brings into the ring," Brown continued. "I expect that Mares will push him to even higher levels, and that is the kind of match that should excite all boxing fans."

Stephen Espinoza, the president of Showtime Sports, has put on several Davis and Mares fights and he knows both fighters well. He figures it will be a very compelling fight.

"This is an intriguing matchup for both men at crucial points of their careers," Espinoza said. "Abner Mares has never backed down from a challenge, quietly building one of the strongest résumés in all of boxing while consistently delivering fight-of-the-year performances. In his first fight [at 130 pounds], Abner will be facing Gervonta Davis, one of the strongest, most talented and most exciting young champions in all of boxing. Abner seeks another signature upset in a remarkable career, while Gervonta looks to continue his streak of 11 straight stoppages against the most experienced and accomplished opponent he has faced to date."

Undercard

 

[Los!]

Tank!

 

[Recca Gatsby]

Tank been lookin flabby, hope he can get in shape

 

[patscorpio]

Tank really shouldnt be fighting someone like Mares right now...it makes no sense

 

[patscorpio]

interesting...so lubin vs ishe smith is not part of the televised tripleheader

Undefeated super lightweight contender Mario Barrios will take on Mexico’s Richard Zamora in a 10-round co-featured match on Saturday, February 9 live on SHOWTIME from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, in Carson, California and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Former world champion Javier Fortuna will battle hard-hitting lightweight contender Sharif Bogere in a 10-round lightweight bout that will open the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. These televised undercard attractions feature exciting style matchups and a combination of rising contenders, former champions and title challengers all looking to get one step closer to holding a world title.

In the main event, two-time super featherweight champion Gervonta “Tank’’ Davis will defend his WBA title against three-division world champion Abner Mares. Davis vs. Mares promises fireworks and high-stakes action as both men bring their fan-friendly styles to the ring.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions and Ringstar Sports, are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

The unbeaten Barrios (22-0, 14 KOs) has put together a six-fight knockout streak since moving up to 140-pounds in 2016. The 23-year-old from San Antonio, Texas made a steady climb up the super lightweight ladder in 2018 with a second-round knockout of Eudy Bernardo last March and a stoppage of Jose Roman in July.

Zamora (19-2, 12 KOs) fights out of San Luis Potosi, Mexico and enters this contest the winner of his last five bouts, including four wins by stoppage. The 25-year-old will be making his U.S. debut on February 9, after picking up three knockout wins in 2018, including most recently defeating Daniel Valenzuela in December.

Fortuna (33-2-1, 23 KOs) won a super featherweight world championship with a unanimous decision over Bryan Vasquez in 2015 at Barclays Center before losing the title the next year to Jason Sosa. The 29-year-old, who is from La Romana, Dominican Republic and now lives in Braintree, Mass., lost a narrow and disputed split decision to then-unbeaten champion Robert Easter last January at Barclays Center on SHOWTIME.

Bogere (32-1, 20 KOs) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Oscar Bravo on August 3. The 30-year-old from Kampala, Uganda now lives in Las Vegas and was a five-time African champion and captain of the Ugandan national team as an amateur. The lone blemish on his record came in his first world title fight when he dropped a decision to Richar Abril in 2013. Since the decision loss, Bogere has since won nine straight, including five by knockout.

 

[reservoirdogs]

Tank should win this, Mares is arguably a little small for 126 too not to speak 130...

Mexican fanbase exposure in LA and Mares is a known name I get all that but I really hope that after this PBC matchmakers stop fukking around with forcing in-house fights for Tank even when they don't have anyone at 130 so the only way they can do that is to drag up 126ers.

If they really-really dont't want to let Tank to fight Farmer on DAZN then make a deal with Zanfer for a Berchelt vs Tank fight on Fox/Showtime, Zanfer is doing business with everyone.

 

[wingstop]

Tank should win this, Mares is arguably a little small for 126 too not to speak 130...

Mexican fanbase exposure in LA and Mares is a known name I get all that but I really hope that after this PBC matchmakers stop fukking around with forcing in-house fights for Tank even when they don't have anyone at 130 so the only way they can do that is to drag up 126ers.

If they really-really dont't want to let Tank to fight Farmer on DAZN then make a deal with Zanfer for a Berchelt vs Tank fight on Fox/Showtime, Zanfer is doing business with everyone.

Berchelt is also with top rank now so he'll probably unify with the other top rank 130 champion then fight Loma

 

[reservoirdogs]

Berchelt is also with top rank now so he'll probably unify with the other top rank 130 champion then fight Loma

Isn’t that deal only for 2 fights including his last one?

 

[wingstop]

Isn’t that deal only for 2 fights including his last one?

Oh idk. If he wins the unification im just gonna assume that top rank will resign him. You know how top rank is

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

This reeks of upset. Hope Mares doesn't get cheated on the cards.

 

[patscorpio]

This reeks of upset. Hope Mares doesn't get cheated on the cards.

If he does.. he does...I still havent forgot about those agbeko fights

 

[Los!]

 

[patscorpio]

 

[theflyest]

What I find the most interesting about the fight is the timing of it.

Davis fought one time last year, which took place in April. This year, he's fighting in February. I think strategically, Davis wants to get his only fight of the year out of the way early so it won't be on his mind. He can relax and enjoy himself the rest of the year, and his team can target his next opponent in 2020.

 

[patscorpio]

What I find the most interesting about the fight is the timing of it.

Davis fought one time last year, which took place in April. This year, he's fighting in February. I think strategically, Davis wants to get his only fight of the year out of the way early so it won't be on his mind. He can relax and enjoy himself the rest of the year, and his team can target his next opponent in 2020.

you have no faith he will be back in the ring in 4 months max?

either way tank is in a live division...he better make a fight with the likes of farmer, berchelt, machado etc happen after this shyt