Two-time junior lightweight world titlist Gervonta “Tank” Davis wanted a big name on his record, and Abner Mares wanted a chance to test himself and win a belt in a fourth weight class.
And just like that, their fight, with no promoter or network conflicts, was made with relative ease.
They’re training through the holidays, but they took time out Thursday to meet the media at the kickoff news conference in downtown Los Angeles to discuss the fight, which will take place on Feb. 9 in the main event of a Showtime card at the Dignity Health Sports Park — the new name for the StubHub Center as of Jan. 1 — in Carson, California.
Davis is one of boxing’s most talented and dynamic fighters, but he hasn’t always been in shape — he was stripped of his first world title for failing to make weight for a 2017 defense — and he has had legal issues and problems with Mayweather Promotions outside the ring that limited him to only an April fight in 2018.
But this is by far Davis’ biggest fight and he said he hopes to kick off the year on a positive note, score a big win and get some momentum going.
“I believe that Abner Mares is a future Hall of Famer because he’s fought so many top-level guys. This is big for me because this is my first time being a main event in the U.S. and I just feel blessed to be here,” said Davis, who headlined a card in England when he knocked out Liam Walsh in a title defense in May 2017.
“In 2019, I want to make a big statement not only in the ring but by letting the boxing world know that I’m the next star. I’m aiming to headline a pay-per-view by 2020 if everything goes right. I have great fights lined up for next year, without looking past Abner.”
Davis, who will make the first defense of his second reign, insisted he is taking the fight seriously, though he has sung that tune before.
“As soon as I got off the plane [in Los Angeles], I went straight to the gym and got some work in with some guys there,” Davis said. “We’re not taking Abner lightly. I’m excited and blessed to be in this position. Feb. 9, I’m confident it will be sold out and I’m confident that I will be that next boxing star.
“I’ve always known that you can’t underestimate anyone in the ring. You have to look at your opponent like they’re equal to you. I understand exactly what I have in front of me. I don’t know what Abner sees, but he was sure he wanted to take this fight, so obviously he sees something. I have power, speed, movement and really a blend of everything. I believe that I’m a better fighter than him.”
Davis (20-0, 19 KOs), 24, of Baltimore, said he didn’t hesitate to fight Mares on his Southern California turf.
“It’s all about being focused in that ring and doing my job. I’m coming to get Abner Mares out of there,” Davis said. “I wanted to fight Abner Mares out here in Southern California. Floyd Mayweather fought Arturo Gatti in his hometown (in Atlantic City, New Jersey) and that’s basically what I’m doing here.”
Mares (31-3-1, 15 KOs), 33, who is coming off a decision loss to Leo Santa Cruz in their featherweight world title rematch in June, welcomed the fight with Davis. Mares is the one who pressed for it despite being a considerable underdog and the much older and smaller fighter.
“One day, I just thought to myself that this fight against Gervonta Davis would be a great matchup and that I can win it,” said Mares, who has won world titles at bantamweight, junior featherweight and featherweight. “There are other big fights at featherweight that I could have gotten. I’m taking this fight because of the challenge that it brings. I’m all about that.
“We’re not just going into this fight blind. I’m not stupid. I’m taking this fight because I see something in this guy. It’s a tough fight, no doubt. All fights are tough. He’s in for a good fight. At the end of the day, you guys have to stop worrying about my weight and if I’m too small. You guys are going to get a great fight and that’s all that matters. Sit back, look pretty and enjoy the fight.”
Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, Davis’ promoter, said he respected Mares’ desire for the toughest fight he could possibly take.
“Abner Mares really wanted this fight. Any time a boxer goes out of his way to say, ‘I want that guy,’ the biggest and baddest guy in the division, that speaks volumes to the confidence that Abner Mares has,” Ellerbe said. “He’s exhibited this in all of his fights and he always performs at the highest level.”
Robert Garcia, Mares’ trainer, said he knows it is a very tough fight for Mares but endorsed the match.
“Abner is very motivated. We have very strong sparring partners and he’s doing a great job in the gym already,” Garcia said. “Come Feb. 9, everyone is in for a surprise. I respect Gervonta Davis and his team, but I think Abner is hungrier and looking to make history.
“We know that this is a tough challenge. I think of this like the Adrien Broner versus Marcos Maidana fight [from 2013]. Just like Davis, they said Broner is flashy, dangerous and this and that. But you all know what happened. Same thing is going to happen this time around.”
Maidana, trained by Garcia, dropped Broner twice and won an upset decision to take Broner’s welterweight world title.